Linux Remote NDIS USB device function driver now available from Belcarra Technologies

Linux Remote NDIS USB device function driver now available from Belcarra Technologies

For immediate release:

Linux Remote NDIS USB device function driver now available from Belcarra
Technologies

"Remote NDIS is a fairly simple extension of the well-understood and
time-tested NDIS architecture.  NDIS defines a function-call interface for
device-specific NDIS miniport drivers. This interface defines primitives to
send and receive network data, and to query and set configuration parameters
and statistics.  Remote NDIS leverages NDIS by defining a message wrapping
for the NDIS miniport interface, thus moving the NDIS-handling code from a
miniport driver into the device itself.  In this and other ways, the Remote
NDIS specification allows for a wide range of device functionality and
performance levels." (Microsoft - Introduction to RNDIS Specification)

Belcarra's embedded Linux device RNDIS solution significantly reduces the
time and cost to market for device manufacturers. It can enhance the overall
stability of the system since no new drivers are required and there are no
drivers for the end user to install to support the new USB-connected network
device. Because it works with Microsoft's standard RNDIS host driver
(available for all of Microsoft's currently supported Windows operating
systems), no extra software need be loaded on the host machine, lowering
license costs and support problems.

Completely compatible with Microsoft's RNDIS host, the Belcarra rndis_fd
driver works with the Open Source Linux usbdcore and a hardware specific bus
interface driver, enabling communications between peripheral devices and
Windows desktop applications. Unlike specific-function products (such as
printers), PDAs and next-generation cell phones require a more generic
communications facility to the Windows desktop; the reason Microsoft created
NDIS and its remote extension RNDIS. Until now, designers of Linux powered
embedded devices have had to use custom software on the Windows side which
complicates the users' install procedures, incurs additional licensing fees,
and adds to the support costs for products.

Designed to work with the latest Linux GPL USB Device Core, Belcarra's USB
Device RNDIS function driver is the result of our years of experience in
creating Linux and Unix driver software systems. Available under
platform-specific license, the Belcarra RNDIS driver complies with
Microsoft's RNDIS specification and license restrictions. The license
includes access to source code, and specifies deployment as a loadable
module complying with the GPL restrictions regarding non-GPL code.

Belcarra also offers porting and qualification services for the RNDIS
function driver and supporting Linux USB software. With the qualification
services, Belcarra provides all necessary updates to support any changes
Microsoft makes in the host software for one full year. Ongoing support is
also available. Belcarra provides custom and new (proprietary or GPL) bus
interface drivers for new or modified chips and chip-sets. Standard serial
and network function drivers are available both for use with custom Windows
host drivers as well as Linux host drivers.

Belcarra Technologies is headquartered near Vancouver, Canada and
specializes in Internet Protocol services for embedded and server systems,
and are experts in Ethernet, USB and other serial transport protocols.
Belcarra develops filtering, e-mail and web software, as well as device
drivers and low-level  hardware/software interfaces including those for
flash memory, BIOS extensions, encryption and compression hardware, DSP and
ASICs.  Belcarra is most notably known for contributing the USB device-side
extensions to the Linux open source community. Additional information about
Belcarra Technologies can be found on the company website at
www.belcarra.com.

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Text of this announcement along with graphics is at:
www.belcarra.com/rndis_announce.htm


*************************************************************

Jack van den Akker - jv@belcarra.com
Manager: Belcarra Technologies - www.belcarra.com
332-255 Newport Drive
Port Moody, BC V3H 5H1
Canada
(604) 617 3649 (Direct)
(604) 931 6057 (Fax)