A standard (Ethernet-based nonreal-time) interface for the Varian workstation (HET or 4DTC) to communicate with third-party devices such as gating, QA devices, and so on, for the exchange of patient data and machine status (such as gantry, couch, and jaw positions) from the Varian workstation to the third-party device; and requests from the third-party device, such as to change the couch position.