Design methodology for device drivers supporting various operating systems network protocols and adapter hardware
US5872956A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 24, 1997 |
| Grant date | Feb 16, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 24, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/4411
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An alterable device driver development system for supporting various operating systems, network protocols, and adapter hardware interfaces. Each device driver comprises a System, Network and Adapter software component, each component providing services to the other through its associated programming interfaces and being alterable or replaceable according to the requirements of an associated adapter hardware product. The System component supports a set of services defined by the device driver and which can be used by the Network and Adapter components. The Network component manages all interactions of the Adapter component with a network operating system or protocol stack and ensures its applicability and correctness in the context of the device driver operation. The Adapter component provides the functions for operating and managing all interactions with the adapter hardware. A Transformation Path in the Adapter component improves device driver performance by mapping network packet descriptors against adapter packet descriptors in data transferring processes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.