PLUG AND PLAY IN WINDOWS 95

Technology

    Plug and Play is a framework architecture, 
or specification, developed collaboratively 
by leading PC hardware and software vendors.
The Plug and Play technology is the centerpiece
of an industry initiative to dramatically 
improve the ease of setup and use of personal 
computers and peripheral devices, such as 
printers.


Introduction

    Today, changing the hardware configuration of 
a PC is a task that few consumers attempt and even 
trained technicians can find difficult, 
time-consuming and frustrating.  The complexity 
of PC setup has resulted in lower customer 
satisfaction support costs.  Plug and Play 
alleviates these problems.  Products designed 
to meet the Plug and Play specification are 
easier to setup and use.  Plug and Play enables 
users to add or change hardware and software 
components, with the computer automatically 
adapting to the new configuration.  Required 
action by the user is minimized or eliminated.


Three Components of a Plug and Play System

    The Plug and Play framework architecture, which is 
operating-system-independent, consists of three 
components:

- A Plug and Play operating system
- A Plug and Play BIOS (basic input/output system)
- Plug and Play hardware devices


Plug and Play BIOS and Hardware Device Specifications

    A group of PC industry companies, in cooperation with 
the Plug and Play Association, have developed Plug 
and Play specifications that are now supported by 
hundreds of PC hardware and software vendors.
These specifications include those for Plug and Play 
BIOS, APM, ISA, SCSI, COM, and LPT.


Plug and Play in Windows 95 Features

    Microsoft Windows 95, the next version of the 
Microsoft Windows operating system, is the first 
operating system compatible with Plug and Play.  
There are four key features of the Plug and Play 
component in Windows 95:

- Devices can be attached to most buses and connectors.
  	Buses:  ISA, VL, PCI, EISA and motherboard
  	Connectors:  PCMCIA, SCSI, IDE, serial port, 
		     parallel port and monitor
 
- Device-driver installation, loading and unloading 
  are automated.
- Dynamic or hot-configuration changes are possible.  
  For example, hot docking, hot plugging, and 
  PCMCIA insertion.
- Drivers and applications are notified of 
  configuration events.  Smart software can react 
  to system changes.


Three Key Benefits

- Ease of use.  During installation, the user 
  does not have to worry about switches, jumpers,
  hardware conflicts, rebooting or dealing with 
  drivers.  For example, to turn a standard desktop 
  computer system into a great multimedia system, 
  all the user has to do is "plug" in a 
  Plug and Play sound card, CD-ROM drive and 
  SCSI adapter, turn on the system, and "play" 
  a video clip.
 
- Great mobility.  For example, hot-docking stations 
  that support Plug and Play enable the user to 
  remove a portable system while it's running ¾ 
  so the user can bring the system to a meeting 
  without having to close and reboot the computer.  
  The system automatically senses its removal from 
  the station, reconfigures itself to work with 
  a new display and adjusts for the absence of a 
  network card and large disk drive.
 
- Cost-effectiveness.  As much as 50 percent of 
  support calls to operating system and device 
  manufacturers result from installation and 
  configuration problems.  By making these 
  operations easier ¾ and automatic ¾ 
  manufacturers can achieve lower support costs 
  and pass these savings to the user.  Easier 
  installation and configuration during setup 
  also benefit OEMs who offer Windows-based 
  systems with preinstalled software; they too 
  can pass cost savings to the user.  Similarly,
  Plug and Play’s Universal Driver simplifies
  device-driver development, which enables a 
  developer to create a single driver that
  works across multiple bus types and eliminates
  the need to include bus-specific code in each 
  of several drivers.
 

Market Momentum
 
    Acceptance of the Plug and Play architecture
is widespread.  Plug and Play components are
real and have been demonstrated.  In addition,
the industry is making rapid progress in
delivering additional Plug and Play
specifications and products, including the
following:
 
- Plug and Play specifications have been
  released for BIOS and APM, and for ISA, SCSI,
  LPT and COM devices.
 
- Today more than 100 Plug and Play devices
  are available.
 
- Fully Plug and Play-capable systems, including
  all Plug and Play devices and a Plug and Play
  BIOS, are already available.  These systems
  offer complete Plug and Play functionality
  when combined with the first Plug and Play
  operating system, Windows 95, scheduled to
  be delivered in August, 1995.