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32/64-Bit UNDI Specification
Version 1.10 12/01/02 E-5
E.1.3 OS Network Stacks
This is a simplified overview of three OS network stacks that contain three types of network
drivers: Custom, S/W UNDI and H/W UNDI. Figure E-1 depicts an application bound to an OS
protocol stack, which is in turn bound to a protocol driver that is bound to three NICs. Table E-3
below gives a brief list of pros and cons about each type of driver implementation.
OM13182
Application - 1
OS Protocol Stack
Custom
NIC
Specific
Protocol
Driver
NIC Specific
Protocol Driver
Application - 2
OS Protocol Stack
S/W UNDI
OS Universal Protocol Driver
Application - 3
OS Protocol Stack
H/W UNDI
OS Universal Protocol Driver
NIC - 2
Vend - B
NIC - 3
Vend - B
NIC - 1
Vendor - A
NIC - 5
Vend - D
NIC - 6
Vend - D
NIC - 4
Vendor - C
H/W UNDI
NIC - 9
Vendor - F
H/W UNDI
NIC - 8
Vendor - F
H/W UNDI
NIC - 7
Vendor - E
Figure E-1. Network Stacks with Three Classes of Drivers