In one embodiment, a method includes starting a network-coordination service, a network-interface component, and an application as separate processes within a user space of an operating system of a device; receiving, by the network-coordination service, a request from the application to connect with a host; selecting, by the network-coordination service and in response to the request, the network-interface component to service the requested connection with the host, wherein the network-interface component is associated with a network interface of the device; allocating, by the network-coordination service, a shared memory region for the application and the selected network-interface component, wherein the shared memory region is associated with a reference; and sending, by the network-coordination service, the reference to the application, wherein the reference is configured to be used by the application to access the shared memory region; wherein the shared memory region is configured to be used by the application and the network-interface component to communicate packet data.