Windows 9X Redirector Kit

  June 12, 2001 - This product has been discontinued. It is available through Special Order if needed...

Introduction

The PCAUSA Windows 9X Redirector Kit consists of sample code that illustrates the functionality of a Windows 95/98 file system redirector or "Network Client". The sample code is a fully functional skeleton intended to be the point of departure for development of custom file system redirectors on the Windows 95/98 platform.

At the FSD level there is very little difference between a network redirector and a mountable file system after the volume is "connected" or "mounted". Hence, the Windows 9X Redirector Kit should be of interest to developers of mountable files systems on Windows 9X.

 

Functional Description

When installed the Windows 9X Redirector Kit implements a network called "Sample Network" that parallels the Microsoft Windows Network in terms of functionality. The functionality provided by the Sample Network includes:

bulletNetwork Client Logon/Authentication
bulletBrowsing in the Network Neighborhood
bulletInteraction Between the Network Provider and the Redirector IFS
bulletConnecting to Shares via UNC Paths and Drive Mapping
bulletRedirection of Win32 File I/O Calls to the Sample Network

At startup Sample Network provides a Logon Dialog like any other Windows 9X Network Client.

In the Network Neighborhood the Sample Network consists of multiple Domains, with one or more Servers in each Domain and one or more Shared disk drives for each Server. Elements of the Sample Network appear in the Network Neighborhood of the Windows 9X Explorer, and connections are made to Sample Network Share points using the same mechanism used for Microsoft Networks.

The file system under each Sample Network Share fully supports the Win32 file system API, including these non-trivial operations:

bulletFiles and folders can be dragged to and from Sample Network Shared drives
bulletProperties can be examined and objects can be renamed.
bulletApplications including Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel work as expected on Sample Network Shared drives.
bulletShortcuts to Sample Network shared drives and folders can be created on the desktop and can be mapped to DOS drive letters.

The current version does NOT fully support the DOS file system API, but may in future releases.

The Sample Network is emulated using a directory tree on the host file system which is rooted at C:\Sample Network. Folders under C:\Sample Network are Sample Network Domains, folders under Domains are Sample Network Servers, etc.

 

Components Of The Windows 9X Redirector Kit

The PCAUSA Windows 9X Redirector Kit includes sources code to the following components:

bulletSNFSD.VXD - DOS/Win32 Installable File System (IFS) Driver or "Redirector"
bulletSNNP32.DLL - Network Provider (NP) and Password Provider DLL
bulletSNApp.EXE - Trivial application that interfaces with the Network Provider

Complete code to all of these components is includes in the Windows 9X Redirector Kit.

 

Network Provider (SNNP32.DLL)

The NP DLL implements the "WNet" network API functions, which are called extensively as Windows 95/98 browses networks. When a connection is made using the browser, the Sample Network FSD takes over, and provides the implementation for File System calls to the Sample Network Shared drives.

The Sample Network NP illustrates an implementation of all of the required NXxxx functions, and additionally illustrates use of Password Provider functionality for initial network-wide logon.

The NP uses a private DeviceIoControl API to communicate with the companion FSD for special purposes such as discovering Domains, Servers and Shares.

 

File System Driver (SNFSD.VXD)

The Sample Network FSD is responsible for implementing Win32 file I/O operations for the Sample Network.

Even though the Sample Network is implemented entirely on the local host, the FSD code is broken roughly into three logical areas:

bulletThe Local FSD or Redirector
bulletA "Network" Component
bulletA "Server" Component

The code is partitioned so that only the "network" and "server" components of the overall project are aware that network and file system emulation is being done with (primarily) Ring 0 VxD file system services.

 

Download Sample Executables

PCAUSA provides sample executables for each PCAUSA product. These are the executables which can be built with the sources provided with the product. We encourage you to download these samples and use them to assist you in evaluation of the product.

Please contact us if you have difficulty in downloading, installing or running any of these samples.

icodownl.gif (151 bytes) Download Sample Network For Windows 95/98 Sample Executables

 

Development Environment

The Sample Network project is built under Microsoft Visual C/C++ V4.2. However, the projects can be converted seamlessly to Microsoft Visual C/C++ V5.0.

warning.gif (151 bytes) In order to compile the Sample Network VxD sources you must use the VtoolsD VxD development framework from Compuware NuMega (formerly Vireo Software). NuMega can be contacted at http://www.numega.com/drivercentral/components/vtoolsd.shtml leave-site.gif (117 bytes).

 

Pricing And Ordering Infromation

Windows 9X Redirector Kit

SKU

Description

Documentation
Source Code
License

Product Updates

Technical Support

Satisfaction Guarantee

Price

002

Windows 9X Redirector Kit
- Basic -

Yes

90 Days

90 Days

Yes!

US$495.00

Ordering Information...

Prices good through January 31, 2008.

 
 

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Last modified: December 31, 2007