Patent ID: 7487514

Claim:
A method for obtaining a capability of a network interface card (NIC) comprising: sending a first data link provider interface (DLPI) request for the NIC to a DLPI, wherein the first DLPI request comprises a query for a capability of the NIC; sending the first DLPI request from the DLPI to a NIC driver associated with the NIC; determining, in response to the first DLPI request, the capability of the NIC; sending a DLPI acknowledgement to the DLPI from the NIC driver; sending the DLPI acknowledgement from the DLPI to an operating system, wherein the DLPI acknowledgement comprises the capability of the NIC; establishing, in response to the DLPI acknowledgment, a direct communication channel between the NIC driver and the operating system, wherein the direct communication channel bypasses the DLPI; and enabling the operating system, through the direct communication channel, to utilize the capability of the NIC, wherein enabling the operating system through the direct communication channel, to utilize the capability of the NIC comprises sending a second DLPI request to the NIC driver associated with the NIC, wherein the DLPI acknowledgement comprises at least one interface associated with the capability, and wherein the operating system is configured to use the capability through a function pointer provided in the interface.