In this paper, we propose a new session maintenance protocol called managed session protocol (MSP). It provides services such as automatic restart of transport session when down, multi-session and multi-homing. As a result, MSP offers many advantages for upper layer applications (ULP). For instance, border gateway protocol (BGP) can use MSP in order to automatic set up multiple sessions between a pair of peers. In addition, MSP can be used without re-compiling or re-linking existing binaries and without making any kernel modifications. We have verified relevant properties focused on maintenance features of MSP by using model checking techniques. In addition, we have carried out an implementation of MSP in the framework of an open source router platform so-called extensible open router platform (XORP). We present as well as both a BGP re-implementation using MSP and some performance analysis.