Windows Sockets Support
The Windows Sockets SupportReference documents functions that are implemented in user-mode, dynamic-link libraries (DLLs) to support communications between specific transports and clients of the Windows Sockets interface.
There are two types of functions specified in the DLLs:
Direct reference functions allow Windows Sockets applications that use TCP/IP to benefit from using a system area network (SAN) without modification. A SAN service provider DLL must implement these functions and provide them to the Windows Sockets switch. Windows Sockets Direct is part of:
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP2
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Appliance Kit SP2
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003
Helper functions are system-defined WSHXxx functions that make up the interface for a Windows Sockets Helper DLL. This interface is implemented for a specific transport and provides the support required for Windows Sockets applications to use that transport.
This information is described in the following sections:
Windows Sockets Direct Reference
Windows Sockets Helper Functions