The invention provides for the connection of a plurality of remote applications with a data source, to maximize the speed and reliability of data transfer. An interface module interfaces with a remote application such as a web browser. A port module interfaces between interface module and a data source. A connection manager facilitates the interface between the interface module and the port module. The connection manager establishes a direct connection between the interface module and the port module by determining which port modules are associated with each data source and storing a data source identifier in a data structure. The connection manager also identifies each port module by a port module identifier and storing the port module identifier in a data structure. The connection manager returns a port module identifier for an available port module to the interface module for directly connecting the interface module and the port module and thus the data source.