Chapter 1 - Windows NT Networking Architecture

The Microsoft Windows NT operating system was designed and built with fully integrated networking capabilities. These networking capabilities differentiate Windows NT from other operating systems, such as MS-DOS, OS/2, and UNIX, in which network capabilities are installed separately from the core operating system.

This chapter introduces the Windows NT networking architecture. It provides you with descriptions of the following topics.

• The design goals and rationale for the Windows NT operating system.
• The basic components of the Windows NT operating system architecture.
• The basics of networking architecture in general. This includes a detailed description of the model on which Windows NT was designed, as well as the industry standards and specifications.
• The Windows NT vertical layers and the interfaces for communication between layers.
• The Windows NT network protocols, which enable layers on two different computers to communicate with each other.
• Distributed processing of applications across the network and the mechanisms Windows NT uses to create connections between servers and workstations.
• The mechanisms for sharing resources across the network, including Multiple Universal Naming Convention Provider (MUP) and Multi-Provider Router (MPR).
• The workstation and server services.
• How binding options work, enabling communications between network layers.
• How Remote Access Service (RAS) works to connect remote or mobile clients to corporate networks.
• How Services for Macintosh are built into Windows NT, allowing Apple Macintosh clients to connect to a Windows NT Server as if it were any other AppleShare server.