DOCUMENT:Q99887 08-AUG-2001 [winnt] TITLE :Information on NWLink PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:3.1 3.51 4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbnetwork ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.1 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.1 - Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.51, 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.51, 4.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This article briefly discusses NWLink. It is divided into these parts: - What is NWLink? - What Isn't NWLink? - Implementation of NWLink What is NWLink? --------------- The goal of NWLink is to supply added value for ISVs and other accounts who would like to use Windows NT as an application server with current MS-DOS, Windows, or OS/2 NetWare clients (for applications such as SQL Server, SNA Server, and RPC supporting SPX and Novell NetBIOS over IPX). In addition, NWLink supports the Novell NetBIOS protocol. There are also NetBIOS enhancements (sliding windows and flow control, for example) to make Windows NT to Windows NT sessions more efficient (if this is the only Windows NT transport being used). What Isn't NWLink? ------------------ Novell is offering a Windows NT client that can speak to NetWare servers. NWLink does not provide this functionality; it is just the transport. It does not support the ability to do remote file and print I/O (which would require an additional layer above NWLink supporting NCPs). Novell's offering does not allow NetWare clients to use Windows NT as an application server, nor does it support Novell NetBIOS. At this time, their client does not support Windows sockets that are compatible with Novell's NWIPXSPC APIs. Novell plans to add this support soon. Implementation of NWLink ------------------------ NWLink is a streams-based transport (similar to TCP/IP and NDIS compatible) that supports: - Ethernet, Token Ring, FDDI, and Arcnet topologies - IPX, SPX, Novell NetBIOS, and enhanced Novell NetBIOS protocols - NetBIOS and Windows Sockets (IPX and SPX) APIs - MIPS and Intel platforms - Multiprocessor awareness - Portability NWLink does not support NCP as Novell's solution does. Additional query words: prodnt ====================================================================== Keywords : kbnetwork Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT351search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTW351search kbWinNTW351 kbWinNTW310 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTS351 kbWinNTS310 kbWinNTS351search kbWinNTS310search kbWinNT310Search kbWinNTW310Search Version : 3.1 3.51 4.0 ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2001.