Remote NDIS (RNDIS) is a bus-independent class specification for Ethernet (802.3) network devices on dynamic Plug and Play (PnP) buses such as USB, 1394, Bluetooth, and InfiniBand. Remote NDIS defines a bus-independent message protocol between a host computer and a Remote NDIS device over abstract control and data channels. Remote NDIS is precise enough to allow vendor-independent class driver support for Remote NDIS devices on the host computer.

Microsoft Windows versions beginning with Windows XP include a Remote NDIS driver for USB devices. To use this driver with a USB device, an IHV must provide an INF file that follows the template in Remote NDIS INF Template. Remote NDIS is also available in Windows 2000 as redistributable binaries. See Remote NDIS USB Driver Kit for more information.

Remote NDIS messages are sent to a Remote NDIS device from the host, and a Remote NDIS device responds with an appropriate completion message. Messages are also sent in a unsolicited fashion from a Remote NDIS device to the host.

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