1.3 Synchronization

This section summarizes kernel-mode support routines that NT drivers can call, according to the following general categories:

• Support routines that drivers can call to synchronize the execution of their own standard driver routines in Section 1.3.1 

• Support routines that temporarily change the current IRQL for a call to a support routine or that return the current IRQL in Section 1.3.2 

• Support routines that drivers can call to synchronize access to resources with spin locks or to perform interlocked operations without spinlocks in Section 1.3.3 

• Support routines that drivers can call to manage time outs or determine system time in Section 1.3.4 

• Support routines that driver can call to use system threads or to manage synchronization within a nonarbitrary thread context in Section 1.3.5