Plug and Play Device Management

Plug and Play (PnP) is a combination of hardware and software support that enables applications and the system to recognize and adapt to changes in hardware configuration. As another benefit, users can add or remove devices while the system is in use, without performing manual configuration.

Windows 2000 and Windows 98 use the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) to support Plug and Play and power management. This includes support for the following:

• Automatic and dynamic recognition of installed hardware
• Hardware resource allocation and reallocation
• Loading of appropriate drivers
• An interface for driver interaction with the Plug and Play system
• Dynamic handling of device management and power management events
• Registration for device notification events