Network Providers

Network Providers

As mentioned earlier, a network provider is a service that uses network hardware to access files and printers located on a remote computer. This is considered to be the core function of a NOS. One of a provider's main capabilities is redirecting a local disk identifier—such as E:—to a disk directory located on a remote computer. Providers must also be able to service UNC connection requests. In Windows, network providers do this by exposing a redirector to the operating system.

Windows features a network provider named Client for Microsoft Networks, formally known as the Microsoft Networking Provider (MSNP). The MSNP enables communications among Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, and Windows CE platforms. Windows CE, however, does not support multiple network providers and provides only built-in client-side support for the MSNP.