Network INF Format for Windows
A network INF file for Microsoft Windows 2000 and later operating systems is based on the standard INF file format but also includes network-specific items, such as network-specific sections, directives, section entries, and values. Driver developers should understand the structure of base INF files (as described in the current Windows DDK) before attempting to create a network INF file.
Important: Network INF files for Windows 2000 and later versions are not compatible with network INF files for Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 and earlier versions. To support the installation of a network component on Windows 2000 and later versions, as well as on Windows NT 4.0, you must create one INF file for Windows 2000 and later versions, and another INF file for Windows NT 4.0.
A single INF file can be used to install a network component on various Windows platforms. The INF file requirements vary by type of network component, as described in "Summary of Installation Requirements for Network Components" in the current Windows DDK.
One or more of the following components and files are required to install network components on Windows 2000 and later versions of the operating system:
| • | A class installer and optional co-installer |
| • | One or more INF files |
| • | An optional notify object |
| • | An optional network migration DLL and associated files |
In addition, a vendor also supplies the following files:
| • | One or more drivers for the device (driver image, .sys) file and a driver library (.dll ) file |
| • | An optional driver catalog file |
| • | An optional text-mode setup information file (Txtsetup.oem) |
For complete information, see "Creating Network INF Files" in the current Windows DDK.
