A common programming interface in a communication subsystem controller allows protocols to be developed or modified to communicate with the communication subsystem controller. Once a protocol layer is able to communicate with the communication subsystem controller, the protocol layer is stacked with other protocol layers compatible with the communication subsystem controller. A table in the communication subsystem controller specifies an order of protocol layers in the protocol stack. These protocol layers in the protocol stack communicate with their adjacent protocol layers through the communications subsystem controller.