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From the Editor
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That's how my team thinks I compose this news. But in fact, it's my favorite "found poetry" from the WinHEC session rehearsals--it's from a great presentation the Windows Base Team has prepared on memory management advances in Microsoft® Windows Server™ 2003 SP1.
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This presentation is an example of how WinHEC is the year's best opportunity to learn about innovations in hardware and Windows capabilities that will lead the PC and server platforms in new directions.
"It is a known fact that software advances in the footsteps of hardware," Professor Windows says. So what advances does the professor see in the immediate future? The performance and scalability of Windows x64 running on new 64-bit PC hardware.
"It's basically instant access to everything you ever wanted," our vice president Jim Allchin told InformationWeek. "The whole system will be a thousand times faster."
You're a pro and can do the math, so you know about the benefits of 64-bit computing. I see from recent chatter in the driver developer newsgroups that people are gearing up to port their Windows drivers to 64-bit. You now have access to symbols and the right build environment in the new DDK release, so what else do you need?
Getting started with developing for 64-bit. First, you might still be convincing your boss that you need a new 64-bit workstation. Then, you'll be loading the software--you could order Windows x64 Trial Software. But if you come to WinHEC 2005--and join in the Windows x64 Launch and special events--you'll get a full package of Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition as part of your conference materials, along with a developer's early preview of Windows codename "Longhorn," to help you get started developing drivers that support the current advances in the Windows hardware platform.
We'll see you in Seattle at WinHEC, April 25-27. The WinHEC team wants you to know that you can still register to attend the conference, where x64 is definitely on the radar. See the details below.
WHDC after Dark: Yes, we've been power-charged here, preparing 225 hours of technical sessions for WinHEC and Driver DevCon conferences and 60 new technical papers that offer design guidelines, driver architecture previews, and implementation details for new technologies. But we've never too busy to locate important trivia to amuse you.
Annie Pearson
for the WHDC team
News for Kernel-Mode Developers
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Preview the overall architecture of the new model to understand 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.
The size of the kernel-mode stack varies among different hardware platforms, but it is always a scarce resource. Here are some tips for understanding and managing your driver's use of the kernel-mode stack.
Software tracing is an efficient way to examine the behavior of a running driver without the overhead of debug print statements or a checked build. Check this new paper for a general introduction to using Event Tracing for Windows (ETW) and the Windows software trace preprocessor (WPP). And take a peek at advances planned for software tracing for the next version of Windows "Longhorn."
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Kits, Tools, Services, and Programs
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DIFx provides infrastructure and tools to simplify device and driver installation for both developers and users. DIFx Tools 2.0 supports current versions of Windows and Windows Longhorn, and it can be used to create driver installation packages for both 32-bit and 64-bit platforms (x64 and Itanium). DIFx Tools 2.0 includes:
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The new Driver Installation Frameworks Library (DIFxAPI), which supports installation, uninstallation, repair, and rollback of drivers and the ability to track and maintain associations among applications, drivers, and services.
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Updated versions of Driver Package Installer (DPInst) and Driver Install Frameworks for Applications (DIFxApp), which provide more flexibility for installing unsigned drivers and the ability to delete files that were copied during installation.
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DPInst can also scan hardware before installation to ensure that only packages for which hardware is present are loaded on the system, which is useful for batch updates.
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The DCT 5.3 kit has been updated. Beginning May 19, 2005, you must use only the DCT 5.3 kit for testing display adapters and chipsets, with the exception of test submissions for display adapters and chipsets on Itanium-based systems, which must continue to use the DCT S03 64-bit kit.
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Security and Reliability
WHDC Events: WinHEC and Driver DevCon
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Bill Gates' Keynote: "Platform Inflections, Industry Innovation and Opportunities to Inspire Customers."
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Windows x64 Launch and Microsoft x64 Fast Lane.
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Windows Hardware Showcase: innovations for home, office, and auto, plus a trip back in time to reflect on the past 20 years of Windows PC development.
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Track Lounges, Ask the Experts, and Birds of a Feather--opportunities to find Microsoft experts who can answer your questions.
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WinHEC Welcome Reception and Networking Reception, and a host of Windows x64 launch activities.
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Over the four days of Driver DevCon, you'll get tips, tricks, and tools for advancing driver development and testing methods--plus many opportunities to talk to the Windows device teams about your specific development challenges.
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Hands-on labs to practice with tools on real code.
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Ask The Experts sessions to discuss topics related to conference sessions.
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Birds of a Feather interactive discussions to exchange ideas with others who have common interests.
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