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Windows Sockets Support

The Windows Sockets SupportReference documents functions that are implemented in user-mode, dynamic-link libraries (DLLs) to support communications between specific transports and clients of the Windows Sockets interface.

There are two types of functions specified in the DLLs:

  • Direct reference functions allow Windows Sockets applications that use TCP/IP to benefit from using a system area network (SAN) without modification. A SAN service provider DLL must implement these functions and provide them to the Windows Sockets switch. Windows Sockets Direct is part of:

    • Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
    • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP2
    • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Appliance Kit SP2
    • Microsoft Windows Server 2003
  • Helper functions are system-defined WSHXxx functions that make up the interface for a Windows Sockets Helper DLL. This interface is implemented for a specific transport and provides the support required for Windows Sockets applications to use that transport.

This information is described in the following sections:

Windows Sockets Direct Reference

Windows Sockets Helper Functions

 

 

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