Overview of the WAN Architecture (NDIS 5.1)
Note NDIS 5. x has been deprecated and is superseded by NDIS 6. x. For new NDIS driver development, see Network Drivers Starting with Windows Vista. For information about porting NDIS 5. x drivers to NDIS 6. x, see Porting NDIS 5.x Drivers to NDIS 6.0.
The WAN architecture consists primarily of the components that interface directly to WAN miniport drivers. However, the WAN architecture is best introduced within the broader context of the RAS architecture. The RAS architecture includes some components that are essential for a high-level understanding of the WAN architecture but are otherwise out of the scope of the Microsoft Windows Driver Development Kit (DDK) and the Windows Driver Kit (WDK).
Overviews of the RAS architecture, the major WAN system components, and the primary implementation differences between the CoNDIS WAN and NDIS WAN models are included in the following topics:
WAN Driver Bindings and Connections
Differences Between NDIS and CoNDIS WAN Driver Implementations