Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to transmission of multiple protocol data elements via an interface utilizing a data tunnel over a control channel. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a transmitter or receiver for the transmission or reception of data; a processing element for handling the data of the apparatus; and a connector for the transfer of the data, the connector to connect to a data channel and to connect to a control channel. The processing element is to provide for transfer of data of a first protocol in the control channel, the transfer of data via the control channel including the use of one or more generic commands of the first protocol for the transfer of data of a second protocol. Data of the second protocol is optimized before the data of the second protocol is sent over the first protocol, and the data transfer in the data channel and data transfer in the control channel are simultaneous at least in part.