An exemplary device comprises a first and second protocol layer, and an information exchange service (IES) in communication with the first and the second protocol layers. The IES is configured to share control information between the protocol layers. A protocol layer is capable of adapting behavior based on the control information shared by the IES. An exemplary method is presented for communicating between publishing and subscribing layers in a protocol stack. The method comprises, in the publishing layer, specifying a selected attribute and an associated value to be shared with the subscribing layer. The method further comprises storing the specified attribute and associated value, and receiving a subscribe request from the requesting layer. The request specifies the published attribute. The method further comprises, in response to the request, providing the associated value to a subscribing layer, and in the subscribing layer, adapting behavior based on the shared control information.