Windows Driver Foundation
Encyclopedia
Windows Driver Foundation (WDF) is a set of Microsoft tools that aid in the creation of device drivers for Windows 2000
and later versions of Windows.
The primary tools that comprise WDF are the Kernel Mode Driver Framework (KMDF) and User Mode Driver Framework (UMDF). These tool kits provide a new object-oriented programming model for Windows driver development. The primary goal of the Frameworks is "Conceptual Scalability", that is the characteristics of only requiring a driver developer to learn a few simple concepts to be able to write a simple driver, and to be able to incrementally learn more when more complex driver features are required. This differs markedly from the Windows Driver Model (WDM) that requires driver developers to be fully familiar with many complex technical details before writing even a simple driver.
Part of the key to achieving Conceptual Scalability is that KMDF and UMDF use an "opt-in" model. This model allows the developer to extend and override the default behavior of a canonical "good driver". This is in contrast to the older Windows Driver Model
that depends on the driver writer to implement all aspects of the driver's behavior.
These share the underlying programming model. However, the kernel-mode framework uses a flat C API while the user-mode framework is based on C++ and a light version of COM
.
WDF also includes a set of static verification tools for use by driver writers. These tools examine driver code for common errors and/or simulate the code of a driver in order to identify problems that are both difficult to detect and difficult to test for.
PREFast for Drivers (PFD) performs rather shallow analysis of driver operations. PFD can check for buffer overruns and other common programming errors likewise a number of driver specific problems. Because its scope of operation is within a single function, PFD's run time is much shorter than SDV. Therefore, PFD can be used throughout the driver development process. PREFast scans each function as isolated unit, it does not do inter-procedural analysis. http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff546187.aspx
Windows 2000
Windows 2000 is a line of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, business desktops, laptops, and servers. Windows 2000 was released to manufacturing on 15 December 1999 and launched to retail on 17 February 2000. It is the successor to Windows NT 4.0, and is the...
and later versions of Windows.
The primary tools that comprise WDF are the Kernel Mode Driver Framework (KMDF) and User Mode Driver Framework (UMDF). These tool kits provide a new object-oriented programming model for Windows driver development. The primary goal of the Frameworks is "Conceptual Scalability", that is the characteristics of only requiring a driver developer to learn a few simple concepts to be able to write a simple driver, and to be able to incrementally learn more when more complex driver features are required. This differs markedly from the Windows Driver Model (WDM) that requires driver developers to be fully familiar with many complex technical details before writing even a simple driver.
Part of the key to achieving Conceptual Scalability is that KMDF and UMDF use an "opt-in" model. This model allows the developer to extend and override the default behavior of a canonical "good driver". This is in contrast to the older Windows Driver Model
Windows Driver Model
In computing, the Windows Driver Model — also known at one point as the Win32 Driver Model — is a framework for device drivers that was introduced with Windows 98 and Windows 2000 to replace VxD, which was used on older versions of Windows such as Windows 95 and Windows 3.1, as well...
that depends on the driver writer to implement all aspects of the driver's behavior.
Varieties
The Framework comes in two varieties:- The Kernel-Mode Driver Framework, for writing standard kernel-mode device drivers.
- The User-Mode Driver Framework, for writing certain classes of driver that can run in user-mode.
These share the underlying programming model. However, the kernel-mode framework uses a flat C API while the user-mode framework is based on C++ and a light version of COM
Component Object Model
Component Object Model is a binary-interface standard for software componentry introduced by Microsoft in 1993. It is used to enable interprocess communication and dynamic object creation in a large range of programming languages...
.
WDF also includes a set of static verification tools for use by driver writers. These tools examine driver code for common errors and/or simulate the code of a driver in order to identify problems that are both difficult to detect and difficult to test for.
Tools
The Static Driver Verifier (SDV) is capable of performing very deep validation of code paths across functions and even through calls into WDM. SDV can find driver problems that span multiple function calls and even multiple operations. SDV is designed to be run when the driver is nearing completion. SDV analyzes only C files, C++ is not supported.PREFast for Drivers (PFD) performs rather shallow analysis of driver operations. PFD can check for buffer overruns and other common programming errors likewise a number of driver specific problems. Because its scope of operation is within a single function, PFD's run time is much shorter than SDV. Therefore, PFD can be used throughout the driver development process. PREFast scans each function as isolated unit, it does not do inter-procedural analysis. http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff546187.aspx
External links
- Windows Driver Foundation Homepage
- Developing Drivers with the Windows Driver Foundation by Orwick and Smith
- Windows Driver Kit
- http://www.osronline.com OSR Online, including many articles about WDF, KMDF, and Windows driver development.
- Introducing Windows Driver Framework, written by well-known Windows driver developer, Walter Oney.
- Building and deploying a basic WDF Kernel Mode Driver, CodeProject
- Developing a WDF USB Kernel Mode Driver for the OSR USB FX2, CodeProject