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1995-05-23
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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 ╛
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 ╛ and automatic ╛
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 PlayÆs 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.