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MultiMobile MT128ZLX User Guide 4: Windows NT API Usage
110
MT128ZLX: Using APIs in Windows NT
About APIs
The MT128ZLX-ST/NT operates in conjunction with three Application Program Interface software
packages: NDIS, VCOMM, or CAPI. However, VCOMM is not supported in Windows NT. This chapter
presents examples of how the MT128ZLX can be used with NDIS and CAPI. The CAPI-compliant program
used in these examples is RVS-COM Lite.
Each API contains software components that interact with the operating system of the computer in which
the MT128ZLX is installed. Each API adds communications functionality to the system. Each of API adds
a somewhat different set of features to the system, as summarized in the table below and described more
fully in subsequent sections.
API Full Name Functionality
NDIS Network Driver Interface
Specification
dial-up networking (DUN)connection, network
interface card (NIC) emulation
VCOMM Virtual Communications
Driver
not supported in Windows NT
CAPI Common ISDN Application
Program Interface
dial-up networking (DUN)connection, modem
emulation, G3 and G4 FAX, V.110, V.120, X.75,
HDLC, interface to ISDN features and services
The NDIS API
NDIS allows Network Interface Cards (NICs) to work with each other, with the operating system, and with
higher order protocol drivers. NDIS is an interface that facilitates development of NIC drivers. NDIS
program routines can implement the functions that NIC drivers must perform. These include interaction
with protocol drivers, the handling of hardware interrupts, and interface with underlying NICs by dealing
with registers, port I/O, and other functionality. NDIS allows drivers to be developed in high-level
programming languages, such that their creation and implementation are platform-independent.