Abstract: The subject invention relates to systems and methods that facilitate automatic version level updates of driver components in the context of an operating system framework. In one aspect, an automated computer versioning system is provided. The system includes a version library supplying various components of an operating system framework, wherein the version library defines revision levels and interfaces for the components of the operating system framework. A loader automatically distributes the interfaces in order to facilitate functional interactions with the operating system framework, whereby such distribution of the interfaces is based in part on a change in the revision levels.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to systems and methods that automatically monitor and record component-related activities to support remote diagnostic capabilities. In one aspect, an automated computer diagnostic system is provided. The system includes a trace component that monitors computer-related activities between a driver and an operating system component. The trace component can be embedded within the driver or coupled thereto but, generally records activities relating to a given driver in contrast to generically for the entire operating system. A log records the computer-related activities to facilitate problem diagnosis with respect to the driver or the operating system component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a structured model for developing PIO code and for performing PIO transactions. This model of structured PIO transactions provides a framework with default behaviors. Developers need only provide a minimal amount of configuration information and can then characterize subsequent PIO transactions in terms of a profile, thus reducing the amount of detailed and often redundant information that developers need to provide for each PIO transaction. In some embodiments, the PIO transaction model is expressed in terms of object-oriented programming constructs. In one example, a PIO enabler object captures general PIO operational parameters and manages underlying operating system objects and behavior. When device manager software receives an input/output request that involves a PIO data transfer, the device manager constructs a PIO transaction object that represents the PIO work request. During the processing of the PIO transaction, the PIO transaction object maintains state and status information.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products that, by defining a common interface, allow for a single implementation of operations common to both kernel mode and user mode processing, relative to a hardware adapter. Corresponding kernel mode and user mode implementations of the operations are provided. For a given process, a call to the common interface is mapped to the kernel mode implementation for kernel mode processes and to the user mode implementation for user mode processes. The mapping may be performed at runtime or may be static. The common operation may provide a user mode process direct access to a hardware adapter, such as for sending and receiving information, without switching to kernel mode. A kernel mode implementation for operations unique to kernel mode processing, such as specifying security parameters for the hardware adapter to enforce, or initiating and terminating communication through the hardware adapter, also may be provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a structured model for developing DMA code and for performing DMA transactions. This model of structured DMA transactions provides a framework with default behaviors. Developers need only provide a minimal amount of configuration information and can then characterize subsequent DMA transactions in terms of a profile, thus reducing the amount of detailed and often redundant information that developers need to provide for each DMA transaction. In some embodiments, the DMA transaction model is expressed in terms of object-oriented programming constructs. In one example, a DMA enabler object captures general DMA operational parameters and manages underlying operating system objects and behavior. When device manager software receives an input/output request that involves a DMA data transfer, the device manager constructs a DMA transaction object that represents the DMA work request. During the processing of the DMA transaction, the DMA transaction object maintains state and status information.

Abstract: A kernel-mode shimming system and method are disclosed herein. The kernel is a shared environment. Accordingly, many different kernel-mode drivers utilize services provided by the kernel. Furthermore, when shimming of drivers is necessary, it is desirable to support shim reuse amongst drivers with similar problems or issues, rather than generating a customized shim for each driver. To facilitate kernel-mode shimming and shim reuse, context information needs to be retrieved and maintained so that shims can identify particular driver calls and preserve driver specific linkage information. The present invention accomplishes the forgoing by employing an intermediate structure, a content component, between a client or driver call and a common shared shim to provide the shim with contextual information. A system is also provided herein to implement and support kernel-mode shimming with driver specific context information.