NDIS Miniport Driver - Link Up notification

NTDEV
1

Hi all,

I am working on NDIS Miniport Driver which communicates with TSE over PCIe interface. I have some confusion over sending Ethernet cable Link connection status to NDIS.

I am using ISR which sends link status notification to NDIS while dynamic connect/disconnect, But what should I do if link is already up before loading the driver. I can have link status while performing “InitializeHandlerEx” handler, but updating link status in this handler will start “SendNetBufferListsHandler” before even finishing “InitializeHandlerEx” handler. I searched for any OID requests which asks for the link status like “OID_GEN_MEDIA_CONNECT_STATUS” and “OID_GEN_LINK_STATE”, but I found that, those OIDs are not requested for NDIS 6.0 and later versions. So, overall I am looking for the mechanism which invokes read/write requests after successful completion of “InitializeHandlerEx” while Link is always UP.

Please enlighten me on this, if I am doing anything wrong. Any idea will be appreciated. Thank you.

Regards,
Parth Shah

2

This is not a unique issue for your NDIS miniport. Did you look at the samples in older WDKs? In particular I suggest you get the SRV2008 WDK (6001.18002) and look at the src/network/ndis/e100bx sample.

That sample initially sends media status from the MiniportCheckForHangEx() handler.

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/ff559346(v=vs.85).aspx

Another possible solution might be to schedule a timer in MiniportInitializeEx() and indicate the media state on timer expiration but that introduces some other headaches in managing the timer.

And lastly you might just set a flag and wait for *any* request from NDIS and on seeing the flag set, indicate status.

But I would go with how the e100bx sample does it. Everyone else did.

Keep those old WDKs handy.

Good Luck,
Dave Cattley

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

3

Thank you Dave for your quick reply.

Regarding your suggestions, I would love to go with first option about using MiniportCheckForHangEx() handler for sending media status to NDIS. I am still looking for that sample driver as I am unable to find that DDK. But right now, this idea is enough for me.

I will get back, if I find something scratchy. Thanks again.

Regards,
Parth Shah