The present invention provides a virtual network, sitting "above" the physical
connectivity and thereby providing the administrative controls necessary to link
various communication devices via an Access-Method-Independent Exchange. In this
sense, the Access-Method-Independent Exchange can be viewed as providing the logical
connectivity required. In accordance with the present invention, connectivity is
provided by a series of communication primitives designed to work with each of
the specific communication devices in use. As new communication devices are developed,
primitives can be added to the Access-Method-Independent Exchange to support these
new devices without changing the application source code. A Thread Communication
Service is provided, along with a Binding Service to link Communication Points.
A Thread Directory Service is available, as well as a Broker Service and a Thread
Communication Switching Service. Intraprocess, as well as Interprocess, services
are available. Dynamic Configuration Management and a Configurable Application
Program Service provide software which can be commoditized, as well as upgraded
while in operation.
