Transparent support of protocol and data compression features for data communication

Claim 1

Apparatus for linking a local endpoint application running at a source of digital data with an application running at a network endpoint application at a receiver of said digital data, said local and network endpoint applications capable of communication over a communication channel, comprising, in combination: a proxy engine placed at said source of digital data for conducting simultaneous communication sessions between said source and said destination over said communication channel, said proxy engine comprising at least one software routine for determining whether a security protocol, multiple channel protocol, data compression protocol, link control protocol or network control protocol is supported by the network endpoint application but not the local endpoint application; said proxy engine further comprising at least one software routine for implementing for said local endpoint application at least one security protocol, multiple channel protocol, data compression protocol, link control protocol or network control protocol that is supported by the network endpoint application but not the local endpoint application protocol feature to thereby permit said local and network endpoint applications to communicate in accordance with said implemented protocol; and communications hardware responsive to said proxy engine and interfacing with said communication channel for placing said digital data from said local endpoint application onto said communication channel for transmission to said receiver, whereby bilateral digital communication between said local and network endpoint applications is improved.