Multiple Network Support

The Windows 95 modular network provider interface, as described in this section, supports concurrent communication with several different networks. For example, a computer can have connections to computers running Windows 95 peer resource-sharing services, to servers for Windows NT and NetWare networks, and to the Internet, all at the same time.

In addition to the Windows 95 network client and peer sharing components, Windows 95 includes built-in support for the following network clients from other vendors:

• Artisoft® LANtastic® version 5.0 and later
• Banyan® VINES® version 5.52 and later
• DEC™ PATHWORKS™ (installed as a protocol)

• Novell® NetWare® version 3.11 and later
• SunSoft™ PC-NFS® version 5.0 and later

Most of these network clients can be installed along with protected-mode Windows 95 networking components. Windows 95 does not include the supporting files for these networks; you must obtain them from the network vendor. For information about these network clients, see Chapter 10, "Windows 95 on Other Networks."

Multiple network support in Windows 95 consists of these components, as described in the following sections:

• Win32 WinNet API
• Multiple provider router and service provider interface
• Network providers (including the WinNet16 interface)

Components of multiple network support in Windows 95