Apple Inc.

Michael B Shoemaker

Michael J Quinn

A system which enables new data paths that form different network configurations to be constructed during the run time of the computer determines whether a given configuration specified by a user is legitimate, and if so, creates a data path. In operation, a user issues a command to open a data path containing a particular protocol module. In response, an open handler inquires whether the particular configuration specified by the user is proper. This inquiry is sent to individual configurators, which comprise shared libraries containing routines pertaining to the various protocols stored in the computer. A configurator responds to the inquiry if it contains information pertaining to the protocol identified by the user. The routines in the configurator also indicate whether the protocol module can be connected in a legitimate configuration. If it can, a data path is created. If the particular connection specified by the user is not proper, the configurator routine identifies a different code module to which the specified protocol module can be properly connected. This process continues in a recursive manner, until a legitimate configuration is found. A data path is then constructed in accordance with this configuration.

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Michael B Shoemaker