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Infrared implementation

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Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

 

Infrared implementation

Infrared data transfer is implemented according to the Infrared Data Association (IrDA) standards and protocols. These standards are designed to allow low-cost components and low power requirements, and to enable connections by simply pointing infrared devices at each other. Infrared transceivers are now installed in nearly all new portable computers. For a computer that does not have a built-in infrared transceiver, you can install an external infrared transceiver.

IrDA is a half-duplex, short-range data transfer technology. The IrDA protocols specify the procedures that support link initialization, device address discovery, connection startup and data rate negotiation, information exchange, disconnection, link shutdown, and device address conflict resolution.

Infrared device support

Infrared functionality is provided through the Wireless Link file transfer feature, infrared printing (IrLPT), infrared image transfer (IrTran-P), and infrared networking (IrNET and IrComm) capabilities. Additionally, the IrDA Winsock API supports programs created by other software and equipment manufacturers. These manufacturers sell programs that use the Winsock API (or proprietary interfaces) to provide infrared connections to printers, modems, digital pagers, personal digital assistants, electronic cameras, organizers, cellular phones, and hand-held computers.

Important

  • For enhanced security, performance, and stability, it is recommended that you use only signed device drivers. For more information, see Signed Drivers.

Infrared transmission speeds

Many laptops, notebook computers, and hand-held devices now include infrared transceiver ports that provide infrared asynchronous serial transmission with maximum data transfer speeds of either 115.2 kilobytes per second (Kbps) or 4 megabits per second (Mbps), and sometimes 16 Mbps.

Serial IrDA 115.2 Kbps support (SIR)

The Serial IrDA (SIR) implementation of IrDA provides a maximum data transfer speed of 115.2 Kbps. The primary benefit of this implementation is that existing serial hardware can be used without additional cost.

Fast IrDA 4.0 Mbps support (FIR) and Very Fast IrDA 16.0 Mbps support (VFIR)

The Fast IrDA (FIR) implementation of IrDA provides a maximum data transfer speed (of 4 Mbps) that easily adjusts to slower devices. Very Fast IrDA (VFIR), which provides 16 Mbps half-duplex data transmission, is also supported. FIR and VFIR devices can communicate with SIR devices.

IrComm and IrNET support

With IrComm, you can use your computer and infrared-equipped cellular phone to connect to your Internet service provider or to send fax transmissions without additional equipment. With IrNET, you can establish a point-to-point connection between your computer and another computer or another infrared-equipped device. You can also establish a connection between your computer and a network access point.

IrLPT printer support

If your computer came with an internal infrared device, or if you install an infrared transceiver, an infrared port appears as a local port in the Add Printer dialog box. When you associate a printer with this port and then print to that printer, the IrLPT protocol is used to transmit the data.

IrTran-P image transfer support

The IrTran-P image transfer protocol is used in digital cameras and other digital image capture devices. You can use this feature to receive digital images from a camera or other device that supports IrTran-P to your computer through an IrDA connection. The IrTran-P service is implemented as a listen-only service; it never initiates the IrTran-P connection.

Important

  • To enhance security, do not enable IrTran-P. When you enable IrTran-P, all incoming files sent over IrTran-P are automatically accepted. Because incoming files might contain harmful programs, ensure that the files originate from a trustworthy source. Do not open files if you cannot verify the source, do not recognize the file format, or are unsure of the content. Instead, delete the files immediately. For more information about infrared security considerations, see Security information for infrared communication. 

Note

  • In the Windows Server 2003 family, only Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, supports infrared networking.