This paper provides information about the Windows Driver Foundation (WDF), the next-generation driver model for the Windows family of operating systems. It describes the overall architecture of the model and explains how WDF can help to reduce driver development time, contribute to greater system stability, and improve driver diagnosability and serviceability. This material is intended for technical managers, architects, and driver designers who are unfamiliar with WDF.
This information applies for the following operating systems:
Microsoft Windows Vista
Microsoft Windows Server 2003
Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft Windows 2000
Included in this white paper:
| • | Design Goals for WDF |
| • | Device and Driver Support in WDF |
| • | WDF Driver Model |
| • | WDF Object Model |
| • | Plug and Play and Power Management Support |
| • | I/O Model |
| • | Driver Frameworks |
| • | Tools for Development and Testing |
| • | Serviceability and Versioning |
| • | Next Steps |