HELP! I enrolled in device driver class.

My employer has purchased one week's training next week for device driver
development. This is all to my suprise because I have been asking for the
training for well over two years now. My only problem is that have been
developing NT Services (with great success) but have never been able to get
my head wrapped around device drivers and their architecture. I really need
some help and I am out of time (almost).

What book or on-line reference can I go to that will help me prepare for
this class? I just have 6 days for prep and I feel very behind. I'm not
even really sure what the different kinds of device drivers there are or
what kinds of things that I can do with them.

When complete with the course I am expected to work on a few projects that
would either require several messy NT Services (polling and scanning) or
just a few device drivers. Unfortunately, my understanding of device
drivers is so limited that I'm not even sure if I'm right. I need some
materials and I need them fast!!!

thank you for all your help!

Please do not respond via email directly because my current web connection
(linux) does not like my email at this point but newgroups are awesome. All
of my other machines are Windows flavors but my internet connection is
linux and the only thing the stinking thing does not like is my email.

Also, if someone is cross-platform savvy and wants to point me to a place
that can outline a device driver in linux that might be interesting.

THANKS!!!!!!

Don
Mon Sep 20 09:19:57 CDT 2004

Your best bet is probably to get Walter Oney's "Programming the Windows
Driver Model" and try to work through the first three chapters. If you
identify which company is teaching the class, there may be more data since
each firm has its own approach (one or more of the instructors for most of
the firms teaching the classes hang out here by the way).


--
Don Burn (MVP, Windows DDK)
Windows 2k/XP/2k3 Filesystem and Driver Consulting
Remove StopSpam from the email to reply

"beginthreadex" <thomas_remkus@westwoodone.com> wrote in message
news:ecjzvuxnEHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> My employer has purchased one week's training next week for device driver
> development. This is all to my suprise because I have been asking for the
> training for well over two years now. My only problem is that have been
> developing NT Services (with great success) but have never been able to
get
> my head wrapped around device drivers and their architecture. I really
need
> some help and I am out of time (almost).
>
> What book or on-line reference can I go to that will help me prepare for
> this class? I just have 6 days for prep and I feel very behind. I'm not
> even really sure what the different kinds of device drivers there are or
> what kinds of things that I can do with them.
>
> When complete with the course I am expected to work on a few projects that
> would either require several messy NT Services (polling and scanning) or
> just a few device drivers. Unfortunately, my understanding of device
> drivers is so limited that I'm not even sure if I'm right. I need some
> materials and I need them fast!!!
>
> thank you for all your help!
>
> Please do not respond via email directly because my current web connection
> (linux) does not like my email at this point but newgroups are awesome.
All
> of my other machines are Windows flavors but my internet connection is
> linux and the only thing the stinking thing does not like is my email.
>
> Also, if someone is cross-platform savvy and wants to point me to a place
> that can outline a device driver in linux that might be interesting.
>
> THANKS!!!!!!

beginthreadex
Mon Sep 20 09:57:59 CDT 2004

I think that's the same person that's teaching the class, "Walter Oney". I
guess I'll get his book before the class and see what he has to say.


Don Burn wrote:

> Your best bet is probably to get Walter Oney's "Programming the Windows
> Driver Model" and try to work through the first three chapters. If you
> identify which company is teaching the class, there may be more data since
> each firm has its own approach (one or more of the instructors for most of
> the firms teaching the classes hang out here by the way).
>
>

Benoît
Mon Sep 20 10:19:16 CDT 2004

Mr. Oney is a regular in this newsgroup, too.


-----
Benoît Bousquet
(e-mail address is invalid)

"beginthreadex" <thomas_remkus@westwoodone.com> wrote in message
news:eWiwiMynEHA.2096@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> I think that's the same person that's teaching the class, "Walter Oney". I
> guess I'll get his book before the class and see what he has to say.
>
>
> Don Burn wrote:
>
> > Your best bet is probably to get Walter Oney's "Programming the Windows
> > Driver Model" and try to work through the first three chapters. If you
> > identify which company is teaching the class, there may be more data
since
> > each firm has its own approach (one or more of the instructors for most
of
> > the firms teaching the classes hang out here by the way).
> >
> >
>

Philip
Mon Sep 20 10:49:18 CDT 2004


"beginthreadex" <thomas_remkus@westwoodone.com> wrote in message
news:eWiwiMynEHA.2096@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> I think that's the same person that's teaching the class, "Walter Oney". I
> guess I'll get his book before the class and see what he has to say.
>
>
[snip]

You'll have a blast. I only wish I would be sent to such a seminar. Just
one thing to add: as there are two editions to Walter Oney's book, be sure
to get the second edition (there may be 1st editions on bookshelves
somewhere...). The book is a lifesaver.

Philip Lukidis

Robby
Mon Sep 20 13:38:20 CDT 2004


"Pavel A." <pavel_a@geeklife.com> wrote in message
news:AAC31EF4-BB98-4345-917E-6F0A4E7F193C@microsoft.com...

>
> Regarding linux - there is a quite old book, "Linux device drivers" by
> O'Reilly, 1998.

....or June 2001 for the 2nd Ed.

> --PA
>
> "beginthreadex" wrote:
>
> > My employer has purchased one week's training next week for device
driver
> > development. his is all to my suprise because I have been asking for the
> > training for well over two years now. My only problem is that have been
> > developing NT Services (with great success) but have never been able to
get
> > my head wrapped around device drivers and their architecture. I really
need
> > some help and I am out of time (almost).

Out of time? Why the panic? The point of the course is to learn about
driver development isn't it? Aren't you defeating the purpose and cost of
the course by learning it all on your own? :)

I understand that you can better leverage even a beginners course by priming
up before them or even better, having struggled a bit with some hands-on
work. However, if it's only an introductory course, I wouldn't panic too
much about going in blind. A well-designed one should provide a good
introduction and overview. If it doesn't, it isn't a beginner's or
introductory course. While it may not be ideal (and I am assuming a
beginner course), you shouldn't HAVE to do a bunch of prep work beforehand.

Rob

Dan
Mon Sep 20 16:47:50 CDT 2004

As indicated by other posters, you should contact the company providing this
seminar to you and ask them how best to prepare for the specific training
THEY are offering. While the provider may not have discussed it with you,
I'm sure someone in your firm has this and other prerequisite information
for the training -- of course, if such prereq and "how to prepare"
information was not passed along to the actual students of the seminar,
well, best of luck in getting good value for your money.

Obviously this was not your doing, but people should really be aware of the
training they are taking -- the firm/instructor offering the training,
they're experience/expertise, their teaching methodology, the prereqs, how
to prepare, what you walk away with, etc., etc.

Dan.

"beginthreadex" <thomas_remkus@westwoodone.com> wrote in message
news:ecjzvuxnEHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> My employer has purchased one week's training next week for device driver
> development. This is all to my suprise because I have been asking for the
> training for well over two years now. My only problem is that have been
> developing NT Services (with great success) but have never been able to
get
> my head wrapped around device drivers and their architecture. I really
need
> some help and I am out of time (almost).
>
> What book or on-line reference can I go to that will help me prepare for
> this class? I just have 6 days for prep and I feel very behind. I'm not
> even really sure what the different kinds of device drivers there are or
> what kinds of things that I can do with them.
>
> When complete with the course I am expected to work on a few projects that
> would either require several messy NT Services (polling and scanning) or
> just a few device drivers. Unfortunately, my understanding of device
> drivers is so limited that I'm not even sure if I'm right. I need some
> materials and I need them fast!!!
>
> thank you for all your help!
>
> Please do not respond via email directly because my current web connection
> (linux) does not like my email at this point but newgroups are awesome.
All
> of my other machines are Windows flavors but my internet connection is
> linux and the only thing the stinking thing does not like is my email.
>
> Also, if someone is cross-platform savvy and wants to point me to a place
> that can outline a device driver in linux that might be interesting.
>
> THANKS!!!!!!

Walter
Mon Sep 20 22:14:55 CDT 2004

beginthreadex wrote:
> I think that's the same person that's teaching the class, "Walter Oney". I
> guess I'll get his book before the class and see what he has to say.

Nope, not me. But have fun anyway.

--
Walter Oney, Consulting and Training
Basic and Advanced Driver Programming Seminars
Check out our schedule at http://www.oneysoft.com

beginthreadex
Tue Sep 21 07:43:43 CDT 2004

Walter Oney wrote:

> beginthreadex wrote:
>> I think that's the same person that's teaching the class, "Walter Oney".
>> I guess I'll get his book before the class and see what he has to say.
>
> Nope, not me. But have fun anyway.
>
> --
> Walter Oney, Consulting and Training
> Basic and Advanced Driver Programming Seminars
> Check out our schedule at http://www.oneysoft.com

Well, that's OK. Whomever is teaching my class is supposed to have authored
some books and is supposed to be "the guy". Just thought that would be you.
That's OK. I'm picking up *your* book this AM from a local store here in
Houston because everyone raves about it. Amazon reviews were positively
glowing.

beginthreadex
Tue Sep 21 07:45:54 CDT 2004

Actually, I am the only person in the company with this request and I did
not expect to actually go since I have been turned down for two years. For
some reason, I just can't get my head wrapped around device drivers and
wanted to take a class. Now, 1 week before the class they tell me that it's
paid for and I'll be attending.

Dan Root wrote:

> As indicated by other posters, you should contact the company providing
> this seminar to you and ask them how best to prepare for the specific
> training
> THEY are offering. While the provider may not have discussed it with you,
> I'm sure someone in your firm has this and other prerequisite information
> for the training -- of course, if such prereq and "how to prepare"
> information was not passed along to the actual students of the seminar,
> well, best of luck in getting good value for your money.
>
> Obviously this was not your doing, but people should really be aware of
> the training they are taking -- the firm/instructor offering the training,
> they're experience/expertise, their teaching methodology, the prereqs, how
> to prepare, what you walk away with, etc., etc.
>
> Dan.
>
> "beginthreadex" <thomas_remkus@westwoodone.com> wrote in message
> news:ecjzvuxnEHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
>> My employer has purchased one week's training next week for device driver
>> development. This is all to my suprise because I have been asking for the
>> training for well over two years now. My only problem is that have been
>> developing NT Services (with great success) but have never been able to
> get
>> my head wrapped around device drivers and their architecture. I really
> need
>> some help and I am out of time (almost).
>>
>> What book or on-line reference can I go to that will help me prepare for
>> this class? I just have 6 days for prep and I feel very behind. I'm not
>> even really sure what the different kinds of device drivers there are or
>> what kinds of things that I can do with them.
>>
>> When complete with the course I am expected to work on a few projects
>> that would either require several messy NT Services (polling and
>> scanning) or just a few device drivers. Unfortunately, my understanding
>> of device drivers is so limited that I'm not even sure if I'm right. I
>> need some materials and I need them fast!!!
>>
>> thank you for all your help!
>>
>> Please do not respond via email directly because my current web
>> connection (linux) does not like my email at this point but newgroups are
>> awesome.
> All
>> of my other machines are Windows flavors but my internet connection is
>> linux and the only thing the stinking thing does not like is my email.
>>
>> Also, if someone is cross-platform savvy and wants to point me to a place
>> that can outline a device driver in linux that might be interesting.
>>
>> THANKS!!!!!!

beginthreadex
Tue Sep 21 07:46:51 CDT 2004

Perfect! I'll hook up the DDK today and start reading. I'm sure that will
create questions being posted here.

Pavel A. wrote:

> Since you're an experienced developer, try start reading the DDK
> documentation (available in your MSDN subscription). Even install the DDK,
> don't compile anything, just browse documentation and sources.
> Try to get idea what is in the "native" NT system where the drivers live
> (as opposed to win32 subsystem where services live).
> Try to get idea how PnP works and what is the difference between
> "hardware" (PnP) and not-PnP drivers. How drivers interact with each other
> and i/o manager (how i/o requests from user mode become IRPs, how drivers
> expose interfaces...), how drivers are installed (what are setup classes,
> INFs, coinstallers...),
> and lastly, what is elevated IRQLs and what synchronization issues it
> causes.
>
> This is possible in 6 days and IMHO you'll be quite well prepared to the
> training.
>
> Regarding linux - there is a quite old book, "Linux device drivers" by
> O'Reilly, 1998.
>
> --PA
>
> "beginthreadex" wrote:
>
>> My employer has purchased one week's training next week for device driver
>> development. This is all to my suprise because I have been asking for the
>> training for well over two years now. My only problem is that have been
>> developing NT Services (with great success) but have never been able to
>> get my head wrapped around device drivers and their architecture. I
>> really need some help and I am out of time (almost).
>>
>> What book or on-line reference can I go to that will help me prepare for
>> this class? I just have 6 days for prep and I feel very behind. I'm not
>> even really sure what the different kinds of device drivers there are or
>> what kinds of things that I can do with them.
>>
>> When complete with the course I am expected to work on a few projects
>> that would either require several messy NT Services (polling and
>> scanning) or just a few device drivers. Unfortunately, my understanding
>> of device drivers is so limited that I'm not even sure if I'm right. I
>> need some materials and I need them fast!!!
>>
>> thank you for all your help!
>>
>> Please do not respond via email directly because my current web
>> connection (linux) does not like my email at this point but newgroups are
>> awesome. All of my other machines are Windows flavors but my internet
>> connection is linux and the only thing the stinking thing does not like
>> is my email.
>>
>> Also, if someone is cross-platform savvy and wants to point me to a place
>> that can outline a device driver in linux that might be interesting.
>>
>> THANKS!!!!!!
>>

beginthreadex
Tue Sep 21 07:48:01 CDT 2004

I am doing this today. I have a local bookstore and will be obtaining this
ASAP. Everyone claims this book to be the grail.

Don Burn wrote:

> Your best bet is probably to get Walter Oney's "Programming the Windows
> Driver Model" and try to work through the first three chapters. If you
> identify which company is teaching the class, there may be more data since
> each firm has its own approach (one or more of the instructors for most of
> the firms teaching the classes hang out here by the way).
>
>

Joseph
Tue Sep 21 08:43:31 CDT 2004

Then I'll see you next week...I'm teaching a course in Houston...
[co-author, Dekker & Newcomer, "Developing Windows NT Device Drivers", and the course is
based on our book]
joe

On Tue, 21 Sep 2004 07:43:43 -0500, beginthreadex <thomas_remkus@westwoodone.com> wrote:

>Walter Oney wrote:
>
>> beginthreadex wrote:
>>> I think that's the same person that's teaching the class, "Walter Oney".
>>> I guess I'll get his book before the class and see what he has to say.
>>
>> Nope, not me. But have fun anyway.
>>
>> --
>> Walter Oney, Consulting and Training
>> Basic and Advanced Driver Programming Seminars
>> Check out our schedule at http://www.oneysoft.com
>
>Well, that's OK. Whomever is teaching my class is supposed to have authored
>some books and is supposed to be "the guy". Just thought that would be you.
>That's OK. I'm picking up *your* book this AM from a local store here in
>Houston because everyone raves about it. Amazon reviews were positively
>glowing.

Joseph M. Newcomer [MVP]
email: newcomer@flounder.com
Web: http://www.flounder.com
MVP Tips: http://www.flounder.com/mvp_tips.htm

Joseph
Tue Sep 21 08:47:22 CDT 2004

This means, of course, that you're going to make me WORK at teaching the course, by asking
important questions, instead of just just napping through it...

[which, by the way, makes you an ideal student., the kind I enjoy having]
joe

On Tue, 21 Sep 2004 07:46:51 -0500, beginthreadex <thomas_remkus@westwoodone.com> wrote:

>Perfect! I'll hook up the DDK today and start reading. I'm sure that will
>create questions being posted here.
>
>Pavel A. wrote:
>
>> Since you're an experienced developer, try start reading the DDK
>> documentation (available in your MSDN subscription). Even install the DDK,
>> don't compile anything, just browse documentation and sources.
>> Try to get idea what is in the "native" NT system where the drivers live
>> (as opposed to win32 subsystem where services live).
>> Try to get idea how PnP works and what is the difference between
>> "hardware" (PnP) and not-PnP drivers. How drivers interact with each other
>> and i/o manager (how i/o requests from user mode become IRPs, how drivers
>> expose interfaces...), how drivers are installed (what are setup classes,
>> INFs, coinstallers...),
>> and lastly, what is elevated IRQLs and what synchronization issues it
>> causes.
>>
>> This is possible in 6 days and IMHO you'll be quite well prepared to the
>> training.
>>
>> Regarding linux - there is a quite old book, "Linux device drivers" by
>> O'Reilly, 1998.
>>
>> --PA
>>
>> "beginthreadex" wrote:
>>
>>> My employer has purchased one week's training next week for device driver
>>> development. This is all to my suprise because I have been asking for the
>>> training for well over two years now. My only problem is that have been
>>> developing NT Services (with great success) but have never been able to
>>> get my head wrapped around device drivers and their architecture. I
>>> really need some help and I am out of time (almost).
>>>
>>> What book or on-line reference can I go to that will help me prepare for
>>> this class? I just have 6 days for prep and I feel very behind. I'm not
>>> even really sure what the different kinds of device drivers there are or
>>> what kinds of things that I can do with them.
>>>
>>> When complete with the course I am expected to work on a few projects
>>> that would either require several messy NT Services (polling and
>>> scanning) or just a few device drivers. Unfortunately, my understanding
>>> of device drivers is so limited that I'm not even sure if I'm right. I
>>> need some materials and I need them fast!!!
>>>
>>> thank you for all your help!
>>>
>>> Please do not respond via email directly because my current web
>>> connection (linux) does not like my email at this point but newgroups are
>>> awesome. All of my other machines are Windows flavors but my internet
>>> connection is linux and the only thing the stinking thing does not like
>>> is my email.
>>>
>>> Also, if someone is cross-platform savvy and wants to point me to a place
>>> that can outline a device driver in linux that might be interesting.
>>>
>>> THANKS!!!!!!
>>>

Joseph M. Newcomer [MVP]
email: newcomer@flounder.com
Web: http://www.flounder.com
MVP Tips: http://www.flounder.com/mvp_tips.htm

beginthreadex
Tue Sep 21 09:14:46 CDT 2004

Your book is hard to find. I tried looking for that first and found NOTHING.
I'll do my best to get this and might need to get a quick delivery from
Amazon. Kim from your office said I didn't need anything and did not
mention any real materials except for printed slides and maybe some sample
code that I would be walking away with. I'm really a book and tuitor kind
of guy.

> Joseph M. Newcomer wrote:
> Then I'll see you next week...I'm teaching a course in Houston...
> [co-author, Dekker & Newcomer, "Developing Windows NT Device Drivers", and
> [the course is
> based on our book]
> joe
>
> On Tue, 21 Sep 2004 07:43:43 -0500, beginthreadex
> <thomas_remkus@westwoodone.com> wrote:
>
>>Walter Oney wrote:
>>
>>> beginthreadex wrote:
>>>> I think that's the same person that's teaching the class, "Walter
>>>> Oney". I guess I'll get his book before the class and see what he has
>>>> to say.
>>>
>>> Nope, not me. But have fun anyway.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Walter Oney, Consulting and Training
>>> Basic and Advanced Driver Programming Seminars
>>> Check out our schedule at http://www.oneysoft.com
>>
>>Well, that's OK. Whomever is teaching my class is supposed to have
>>authored some books and is supposed to be "the guy". Just thought that
>>would be you. That's OK. I'm picking up *your* book this AM from a local
>>store here in Houston because everyone raves about it. Amazon reviews were
>>positively glowing.
>
> Joseph M. Newcomer [MVP]
> email: newcomer@flounder.com
> Web: http://www.flounder.com
> MVP Tips: http://www.flounder.com/mvp_tips.htm

Joseph
Tue Sep 21 19:59:30 CDT 2004

The book is not required (of course, I'm always happy if someone buys it, but it is not a
prerequisite for the course). We supply a complete set of printed slides, a CD-ROM, which
from the viewpoint of the course the CD-ROM contains the "starting point" for about five
exercises where we build and debug some drivers (and another part of the exercise is
learning to set up the machines for debugging).
joe

On Tue, 21 Sep 2004 09:14:46 -0500, beginthreadex <thomas_remkus@westwoodone.com> wrote:

>Your book is hard to find. I tried looking for that first and found NOTHING.
>I'll do my best to get this and might need to get a quick delivery from
>Amazon. Kim from your office said I didn't need anything and did not
>mention any real materials except for printed slides and maybe some sample
>code that I would be walking away with. I'm really a book and tuitor kind
>of guy.
>
>> Joseph M. Newcomer wrote:
>> Then I'll see you next week...I'm teaching a course in Houston...
>> [co-author, Dekker & Newcomer, "Developing Windows NT Device Drivers", and
>> [the course is
>> based on our book]
>> joe
>>
>> On Tue, 21 Sep 2004 07:43:43 -0500, beginthreadex
>> <thomas_remkus@westwoodone.com> wrote:
>>
>>>Walter Oney wrote:
>>>
>>>> beginthreadex wrote:
>>>>> I think that's the same person that's teaching the class, "Walter
>>>>> Oney". I guess I'll get his book before the class and see what he has
>>>>> to say.
>>>>
>>>> Nope, not me. But have fun anyway.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Walter Oney, Consulting and Training
>>>> Basic and Advanced Driver Programming Seminars
>>>> Check out our schedule at http://www.oneysoft.com
>>>
>>>Well, that's OK. Whomever is teaching my class is supposed to have
>>>authored some books and is supposed to be "the guy". Just thought that
>>>would be you. That's OK. I'm picking up *your* book this AM from a local
>>>store here in Houston because everyone raves about it. Amazon reviews were
>>>positively glowing.
>>
>> Joseph M. Newcomer [MVP]
>> email: newcomer@flounder.com
>> Web: http://www.flounder.com
>> MVP Tips: http://www.flounder.com/mvp_tips.htm

Joseph M. Newcomer [MVP]
email: newcomer@flounder.com
Web: http://www.flounder.com
MVP Tips: http://www.flounder.com/mvp_tips.htm

beginthreadex
Wed Sep 22 22:27:48 CDT 2004

Kim never let me know if I need to bring my laptop. Is it required or are
you having machines available?

> Joseph M. Newcomer wrote:

> The book is not required (of course, I'm always happy if someone buys it,
> but it is not a prerequisite for the course). We supply a complete set of
> printed slides, a CD-ROM, which from the viewpoint of the course the
> CD-ROM contains the "starting point" for about five exercises where we
> build and debug some drivers (and another part of the exercise is learning
> to set up the machines for debugging). joe
>
> On Tue, 21 Sep 2004 09:14:46 -0500, beginthreadex
> <thomas_remkus@westwoodone.com> wrote:
>
>>Your book is hard to find. I tried looking for that first and found
>>NOTHING. I'll do my best to get this and might need to get a quick
>>delivery from Amazon. Kim from your office said I didn't need anything and
>>did not mention any real materials except for printed slides and maybe
>>some sample code that I would be walking away with. I'm really a book and
>>tuitor kind of guy.
>>
>>> Joseph M. Newcomer wrote:
>>> Then I'll see you next week...I'm teaching a course in Houston...
>>> [co-author, Dekker & Newcomer, "Developing Windows NT Device Drivers",
>>> [and the course is
>>> based on our book]
>>> joe
>>>
>>> On Tue, 21 Sep 2004 07:43:43 -0500, beginthreadex
>>> <thomas_remkus@westwoodone.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>>Walter Oney wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> beginthreadex wrote:
>>>>>> I think that's the same person that's teaching the class, "Walter
>>>>>> Oney". I guess I'll get his book before the class and see what he has
>>>>>> to say.
>>>>>
>>>>> Nope, not me. But have fun anyway.
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Walter Oney, Consulting and Training
>>>>> Basic and Advanced Driver Programming Seminars
>>>>> Check out our schedule at http://www.oneysoft.com
>>>>
>>>>Well, that's OK. Whomever is teaching my class is supposed to have
>>>>authored some books and is supposed to be "the guy". Just thought that
>>>>would be you. That's OK. I'm picking up *your* book this AM from a local
>>>>store here in Houston because everyone raves about it. Amazon reviews
>>>>were positively glowing.
>>>
>>> Joseph M. Newcomer [MVP]
>>> email: newcomer@flounder.com
>>> Web: http://www.flounder.com
>>> MVP Tips: http://www.flounder.com/mvp_tips.htm
>
> Joseph M. Newcomer [MVP]
> email: newcomer@flounder.com
> Web: http://www.flounder.com
> MVP Tips: http://www.flounder.com/mvp_tips.htm

pavel_a
Mon Sep 20 12:47:04 CDT 2004

Since you're an experienced developer, try start reading the DDK documentation
(available in your MSDN subscription). Even install the DDK, don't compile
anything, just browse documentation and sources.
Try to get idea what is in the "native" NT system where the drivers live (as
opposed to win32 subsystem where services live).
Try to get idea how PnP works and what is the difference between "hardware"
(PnP) and not-PnP drivers. How drivers interact with each other and i/o
manager (how i/o requests from user mode become IRPs, how drivers expose
interfaces...), how drivers are installed (what are setup classes, INFs,
coinstallers...),
and lastly, what is elevated IRQLs and what synchronization issues it causes.

This is possible in 6 days and IMHO you'll be quite well prepared to the
training.

Regarding linux - there is a quite old book, "Linux device drivers" by
O'Reilly, 1998.

--PA

"beginthreadex" wrote:

> My employer has purchased one week's training next week for device driver
> development. This is all to my suprise because I have been asking for the
> training for well over two years now. My only problem is that have been
> developing NT Services (with great success) but have never been able to get
> my head wrapped around device drivers and their architecture. I really need
> some help and I am out of time (almost).
>
> What book or on-line reference can I go to that will help me prepare for
> this class? I just have 6 days for prep and I feel very behind. I'm not
> even really sure what the different kinds of device drivers there are or
> what kinds of things that I can do with them.
>
> When complete with the course I am expected to work on a few projects that
> would either require several messy NT Services (polling and scanning) or
> just a few device drivers. Unfortunately, my understanding of device
> drivers is so limited that I'm not even sure if I'm right. I need some
> materials and I need them fast!!!
>
> thank you for all your help!
>
> Please do not respond via email directly because my current web connection
> (linux) does not like my email at this point but newgroups are awesome. All
> of my other machines are Windows flavors but my internet connection is
> linux and the only thing the stinking thing does not like is my email.
>
> Also, if someone is cross-platform savvy and wants to point me to a place
> that can outline a device driver in linux that might be interesting.
>
> THANKS!!!!!!
>

Joseph
Fri Sep 24 18:46:30 CDT 2004

We provide the machines. You do not need to bring a laptop; it rarely is useful.
joe

On Wed, 22 Sep 2004 22:27:48 -0500, beginthreadex <thomas_remkus@westwoodone.com> wrote:

>Kim never let me know if I need to bring my laptop. Is it required or are
>you having machines available?
>
>> Joseph M. Newcomer wrote:
>
>> The book is not required (of course, I'm always happy if someone buys it,
>> but it is not a prerequisite for the course). We supply a complete set of
>> printed slides, a CD-ROM, which from the viewpoint of the course the
>> CD-ROM contains the "starting point" for about five exercises where we
>> build and debug some drivers (and another part of the exercise is learning
>> to set up the machines for debugging). joe
>>
>> On Tue, 21 Sep 2004 09:14:46 -0500, beginthreadex
>> <thomas_remkus@westwoodone.com> wrote:
>>
>>>Your book is hard to find. I tried looking for that first and found
>>>NOTHING. I'll do my best to get this and might need to get a quick
>>>delivery from Amazon. Kim from your office said I didn't need anything and
>>>did not mention any real materials except for printed slides and maybe
>>>some sample code that I would be walking away with. I'm really a book and
>>>tuitor kind of guy.
>>>
>>>> Joseph M. Newcomer wrote:
>>>> Then I'll see you next week...I'm teaching a course in Houston...
>>>> [co-author, Dekker & Newcomer, "Developing Windows NT Device Drivers",
>>>> [and the course is
>>>> based on our book]
>>>> joe
>>>>
>>>> On Tue, 21 Sep 2004 07:43:43 -0500, beginthreadex
>>>> <thomas_remkus@westwoodone.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>Walter Oney wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> beginthreadex wrote:
>>>>>>> I think that's the same person that's teaching the class, "Walter
>>>>>>> Oney". I guess I'll get his book before the class and see what he has
>>>>>>> to say.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Nope, not me. But have fun anyway.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Walter Oney, Consulting and Training
>>>>>> Basic and Advanced Driver Programming Seminars
>>>>>> Check out our schedule at http://www.oneysoft.com
>>>>>
>>>>>Well, that's OK. Whomever is teaching my class is supposed to have
>>>>>authored some books and is supposed to be "the guy". Just thought that
>>>>>would be you. That's OK. I'm picking up *your* book this AM from a local
>>>>>store here in Houston because everyone raves about it. Amazon reviews
>>>>>were positively glowing.
>>>>
>>>> Joseph M. Newcomer [MVP]
>>>> email: newcomer@flounder.com
>>>> Web: http://www.flounder.com
>>>> MVP Tips: http://www.flounder.com/mvp_tips.htm
>>
>> Joseph M. Newcomer [MVP]
>> email: newcomer@flounder.com
>> Web: http://www.flounder.com
>> MVP Tips: http://www.flounder.com/mvp_tips.htm

Joseph M. Newcomer [MVP]
email: newcomer@flounder.com
Web: http://www.flounder.com
MVP Tips: http://www.flounder.com/mvp_tips.htm