Network Driver Interface Specification (NDIS) is a standard API of LAN drivers for "Network Interface Cards" (NIC's) developed by Microsoft. NDIS maybe used on servers or workstations and allows computers to be connected to network with different communication protocols such as TCP/IP, IPX, NetBIOS, AppleTalk, etc.
NDIS perform functions at the Medium Control Layer (MAC) sub-layer of the data link layer (layer 2). The details of a NIC's hardware implementation is wrapped by a "Media Access Controller" (MAC) device driver in such a way that all NIC's for the same media (e.g., Ethernet) can be accessed using a common programming interface. NDIS also provides a library of functions (sometimes called a "wrapper") abstracting the network hardware from network drivers, that can be used by MAC drivers as well as higher level protocol drivers (such as TCP/IP). The wrapper functions serve to make development of both MAC and protocol drivers easier as well as to hide (to some extent) platform dependencies. NDIS also maintains state information and parameters for network drivers, including pointers to functions, handles, and parameter blocks for linkage, and other system values.
NDIS supports the following types of network drivers:
- Miniport drivers
- Intermediate drivers
- Protocol drivers
NDIS: Network Driver Interface Specification