 TM
The only publication dedicated entirely to Windows system software development
 You can't PAY for something this good...
Well, this isn't necessarily a general philosophy at OSR, but as far as The NT Insider is concerned, it's the real deal. Every other month, you can look forward to reading articles covering all sorts of system software topics. Articles range from general topics like the "NT Drivers 101" series that ran a couple of years back to more specific topics such as, "Implementing PnP", "Driver to Driver Communications" or "Writing Bus Drivers".
What else? How about book reviews of subject matter that is pertinent to Windows system software developers and help-wanted pages? We've got that. And don't forget the opportunity to read "Hints from Hector", the Q&A forum for those nasty technical questions you've been dying to get answers on. Lastly, you really can't afford to miss the prophetic prose of "Peter Pontificates"! Haven't seen The NT Insider? Click Here to review a sample copy in .pdf format (Adobe Acrobat required).
Below, you'll find listings of the current year's articles, as well as links to the archives dating back to 1996! Only subscribers have access to articles from The NT Insider online,but a one year subscription is FREE to qualified subscribers! So what are you waiting for? Click here and start receiving The NT Insider starting with the next issue!
Looking for code associated with articles from The NT Insider? You'll find download links at the top of the article if there's code to be had...
Win7 Mysteries: Crash Dump Oddities
The NT Insider, Volume 16, Issue 4, Nov-Dec 2009 (Read 588 times)
The "newness" of Win7 will likely continue for some time, as will instances of kernel devs finding interesting "features" that will require re-learning of how their daily work is carried out. This article covers some changes in how Win7 systems take crash dumps. 
KMDF Basics: Using Counted Queues
The NT Insider, Volume 16, Issue 4, Nov-Dec 2009
Improvements to the Kernel Mode Driver Framework continue to provide us with new ways to make our life easier.
Writing a Virtual Storport Miniport Driver (Part II)
The NT Insider, Volume 16, Issue 4, Nov-Dec 2009 (Read 458 times)
Part II of our series on the design and development of a Windows virtual storport miniport driver moves us into data structures and routines required for our implementation.
The Community Steps Up: VisualDDK
The NT Insider, Volume 16, Issue 4, Nov-Dec 2009 (Read 763 times)
Folks have been talking about finding ways to take advantage of the Visual Studio interface for driver development and debugging for years. Finally, someone in the community has stepped up to offer an alternative.
Writing a Virtual Storport Miniport Driver
The NT Insider, Volume 16, Issue 3, Sept-Oct 2009 (Read 1093 times)
This first in a series of articles on writing virtual miniports using the Windows Storport interface will help break some ground for these interesting and powerful drivers.
Driver Basics - DMA Concepts
The NT Insider, Volume 16, Issue 3, Sept-Oct 2009 (Read 824 times)
Before you ignore this article on a very common topic, consider that there are still some misunderstandings about proper handling of DMA in the Windows drivers.
Take a Break - Missed Breakpoints? Here's Why...
The NT Insider, Volume 16, Issue 3, Sept-Oct 2009 (Read 484 times)
Thanks to our friends at Microsoft, this article highlights some problematic scenarios in how the Windows kernel debugger handles breakpoints - a must read!
Analyst's Perspective: x64 Trap Frames
The NT Insider, Volume 16, Issue 3, Sept-Oct 2009 (Read 359 times)
This article represents the first of many articles to come under a new column of topics covering kernel debugging and problem analysis.
The Tale of Two Evaluators: Understanding MASM and C++ Expression Evaluators in WinDbg
The NT Insider, Volume 16, Issue 3, Sept-Oct 2009 (Read 467 times)
Expression evaluators in MASM and C++ gain coverage in this piece to help our readers gain some background for decrypting expression syntax in the Windows kernel debugger.
USB Analyzer Shoot-Out
The NT Insider, Volume 16, Issue 2, May-June 2009 (Read 985 times)
OSR's first full-fledged review looks at hardware-based USB analyzers from the Windows driver dev perspective, offers recommendations, and suggests you keep your eye on this competitive and fast-moving device space.
Multi-Interface Devices in KMDF
The NT Insider, Volume 16, Issue 2, May-June 2009 (Read 499 times)
Here, we use the OSR USB FX2 Learning Kit as a basis to confirm our understanding of (and provide an example for) using multiple device interfaces in KMDF.
File Systems, File System Filter Drivers and Removable Storage Devices
The NT Insider, Volume 16, Issue 2, May-June 2009 (Read 1772 times)
What does USB have to do with Windows file systems development? Well, not much, but if you think about plug and play and device and media state changes, you'll be happy to have read this article.
Using WinUSB for User-Mode to USB Device Communication
The NT Insider, Volume 16, Issue 2, May-June 2009 (Read 1582 times)
Enjoy this introduction to WinUSB and example using it in certain circumstances for communication from user-mode to a USB device.
Debugging Techniques: Take One...Give One
The NT Insider, Vol 15, Issue 3, Sept- Oct 2008 (Read 2491 times)
Kernel debugging is a lifelong skill - there's always more to learn, but what you do learn stays with you and builds your internal toolset for problem solving. This article attemps to touch on a few, common, situational techniques in hopes of expanding your debugging repetoire.
Kernel Mode Basics: An Introduction to Bitmaps
The NT Insider, Vol 15, Issue 3, Sept - Oct 2008 (Read 1309 times)
Another in a series of "Kernel Mode Basics" pieces that explains bitmaps and their potential usage in data structures (e.g., RTL_BITMAP).
Don't Waste Your Time: You Can Afford a USB Analyzer
The NT Insider, Vol 15, Issue 3, Sept - Oct 2008 (Read 1202 times)
A digression into USB analyzers and why you don't have to back up a dump truck full of money to obtain an easy-to-use analyzer for your USB-specific development needs.
Debugging 103: Where To Go With A System Crash
The NT Insider, Vol 15, Issue 2, July- August 2008 (Read 1672 times)
Our crash analysis articles are designed to (hopefully) provide you with that one hint, tip or trick to help you get "over the hump" in debugging a future issue of your own. Herein, we shed light on one particular crash, while reviewing some basic crash analysis info that any driver dev or sustaining engineeer would find useful.
Why Your User Mode Pointer Captures are Probably Broken
The NT Insider, Vol 15, Issue 2, July- August 2008 (Read 903 times)
Microsoft Core OS dev Jonathan Morrison expands on one of his more interesting blog topics!
Designing a Device API Part III: Exporting Functions
The NT Insider, Vol 15, Issue 2, July- August 2008 (Read 997 times)
The third and final article in a series on Designing Device APIs by guest author, Bruno van Dooren - this one addresses exporting functions.
The WDK Speaks: Interview with Dagmar Shannon, WDK Documentation Manager
The NT Insider, Vol 15, Issue 1, March- April 2008 (Read 570 times)
The state of the WDK (formerly DDK) docs have been a long-contested subject among driver developers -- their correctness, how often they're updated, how they're accessed. This interview with WDK Doc Manager Dagmar Shannon sheds some light on these and other important topics relevant to Windows driver writers everywhere.
Kernel Mode Basics: Splay Trees
The NT Insider, Vol 15, Issue 1, March - April 2008 (Read 2279 times)
Another article in a continuing series on Windows kernel mode basics, this issue's topic is that of Windows "Splay Trees".
Guest Article - Introduction to Registry Filtering in Vista (Part I)
The NT Insider, Vol 15, Issue 1, March- April 2008 (Read 1408 times)
Guest author Jerry Kelley jumps into an introductory article on the Windows Registry Filtering Model (RFM) in Vista, used for obtaining callbacks for registry I/O for your driver.
(Un)Expected Behavior: Windows Vista and File Systems
The NT Insider, Vol 14, Issue 4, November - December 2007 (Read 2279 times)
The varying behavior of Windows file systems in each O/S release has always been a challenge for those utilizing the file system interface for commerical solutions. The onset of Vista is no different, but this article picks out a few subtle ones that can bite you if you're not careful.
Go Ahead: Name Your Device Objects But Always Use Protection
The NT Insider, Vol 14, Issue 4, November - December 2007 (Read 1204 times)
In this article, we argue over the use of Device Interfaces and naming FDOs as a precursor to discussions about device object protection.
Of SDs, ACLs & INFs: The INs and OUTs of Device Object Protection
The NT Insider, Vol 14, Issue 4, November - December 2007 (Read 1216 times)
How and where should you apply protection for your device objects? You're authoring the driver, so you should know the pros and cons of the options available to you, as discussed in this article.
A Common Topic Explained - Sharing Memory Between Drivers and Applications
The NT Insider, Vol 14, Issue 4, November - December 2007 (Read 13283 times)
At one time or another, most driver writers will have the need to share memory between a driver and a user-mode program...
Ten Things You Need To Know About KMDF
The NT Insider, Vol 14, Issue 3, September - October 2007 (Read 2806 times)
We learned 'em the hard way so you won't have to. Here are ten tips/tricks that'll help any KMDF dev, new or experienced, avoid annoyance.
18 Months Later: Release The KMDF Source Code!
The NT Insider, Vol 14, Issue 3, September - October 2007 (Read 1830 times)
Microsoft never promised to release the source code to KMDF, but it's certainly time the community got this discussion back on the radar.
When is a Queue not just a Queue? WDFQUEUEs
The NT Insider, Vol 14, Issue 3, September - October 2007 (Read 1053 times)
WDFQUEUEs are one of the most best things about KMDF. But, to use them properly, you've got to realize that they're much more than just queues.
Kernel-Mode Basics: Windows Linked Lists
The NT Insider, Vol 14, Issue 3, September - October 2007 (Read 4312 times)
What? You weren't born knowing how InsertHeadList works, and what LIST_ENTRY does? Well, let us tell you then.
Guest Article: Designing a Device API - Part II: Function Declarations
The NT Insider, Vol 14, Issue 3, September - October 2007 (Read 1613 times)
In Part II of his Guest article series, author Bruno van Dooren explores function declarations for C style DLL exports.
KMDF Support for USB Devices
The NT Insider, Vol 14, Issue 2, March - April 2007 (Read 2475 times)
Want to convert your old, crufty WDM drivers to KMDF? OSR breaks it down for you in this handy article.
Guest Article: C++ in an NT Driver
The NT Insider, Vol 14, Issue 2, March - April 2007 (Read 3664 times)
An ever increasing number of programmers are willing to try C++ in kernel mode; but why would you use C++? Let guest author Edouard Alligand show you how useful C++ can be.
Starting Out: M Versus F
The NT Insider, Vol 14, Issue 2, March - April 2007 (Read 2139 times)
Developing Windows WDM drivers is often described as an enormous vertical climb that requires a great amount of knowledge and experience. Can you be a competent driver developer if you just learn WDF, or do you still have to expend the effort required to learn all the details of WDM? That's the question we'll explore in this article.
I/O Manager & Vista
The NT Insider, Vol 14, Issue 1, January - February 2007 (Read 2854 times)
Yes, Windows Vista is here! This article highlights some of the more interesting I/O Manager features that you may have heard grumblings about.
MUP Changes in Windows Vista
The NT Insider, Vol 14, Issue 1, January - February 2007 (Read 1783 times)
Do you implement legacy file system filter drivers and monolithic redirectors? Well then you will be particularly interested in how changes in Windows Vista relate to the way that the Multiple UNC Provider (MUP) driver functions.
Back to Basics - An Introduction to Transactions
The NT Insider, Vol 14, Issue 1, January - February 2007 (Read 1810 times)
The introduction of transactions will substantially impact those of us who operate in the file systems space. Here's a simple primer for describing how a basic transactional system works.
Guest Article: Designing a Device API: Part 1 - What It Means, and Why You Should Do It
The NT Insider, Vol 14, Issue 1, January - February 2007 (Read 2038 times)
Properly designing and implementing a good API is a lot of work. Stray but a little, and you will have a doomed project. Let guest author Bruno van Dooren show you the basics.
Managing Dynamic Function Loading
The NT Insider, Vol 14, Issue 1, January - February 2007 (Read 1540 times)
Need to support a driver that must work on multiple versions of Windows? See how OSR demonstrates the mechanisms used to support these drivers.
The NT Insider 2006 Archive
(Read 4823 times)
The NT Insider 2005 Archive
(Read 5948 times)
The NT Insider 2004 Archive
(Read 8503 times)
The NT Insider 2003 Archive
(Read 9836 times)
The NT Insider 2002 Archive
(Read 11614 times)
The NT Insider 2001 Archive
(Read 7211 times)
The NT Insider 2000 Archive
(Read 7113 times)
The NT Insider 1999 Archive
(Read 6709 times)
The NT Insider 1998 Archive
(Read 6220 times)
The NT Insider 1997 Archive
(Read 7013 times)
The NT Insider 1996 Archive
(Read 7035 times)
Safety First - Using the Windows String Safe Functions
The NT Insider, Volume 16, Issue 1, Jan-Feb 2009 (Read 679 times)
The string safe functions provided in "strsafe.h" provide you with a robust set of functions which will make your driver safer from buffer overruns and silly string mistakes that we all tend to make.
Filtering File Systems - Then Things You Should Know
The NT Insider, Volume 16, Issue 1, Jan-Feb 2009 (Read 2043 times)
If you are building a file system filter driver because you think it will be "simpler" than a file system driver, you are likely to be unpleasantly surprised.
Common Topics - Deferred Procedure Call Details
The NT Insider, Volume 16, Issue 1, Jan-Feb 2009 (Read 964 times)
Deferred Procedure Calls (DPCs) are a commonly used feature of Windows. We hope this article clears up a few misconceptions about DPCs and how they are handled by the system.
|
|
