from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
Windows sockets
Winsock
<networking, standard> (Winsock) A specification for
{Microsoft Windows} network software, describing how
applications can access network services, especially {TCP/IP}.
Winsock is intended to provide a single {API} to which
application developers should program and to which multiple
network software vendors should conform. For any particular
version of {Microsoft Windows}, it defines a binary interface
({ABI}) such that an application written to the Windows
Sockets API can work with a conformant {protocol}
implementation from any network software vendor.
Winsock was conceived at Fall Interop '91 during a {Birds of a
Feather} session.
Windows Sockets is supported by {Microsoft Windows}, {Windows
for Workgroups}, {Win32s}, {Windows 95} and {Windows NT}. It
will support protocols other than {TCP/IP}. Under {Windows
NT}, {Microsoft} will provide Windows Sockets support over
{TCP/IP} and {IPX}/{SPX}. {DEC} will be implementing
{DECNet}. {Windows NT} will include mechanisms for multiple
{protocol} support in Windows Sockets, both 32-bit and 16 bit.
Mark Towfiq said, "The next rev. of Winsock will not be until
toward the end of 1993. We need 1.1 of the {API} to become
firmly settled and implemented first."
Windows Sockets API
(ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/micro/pc-stuff/ms-windows/winsock).
or (ftp://microdyne.com/pub/winsock) or send a message
"help" to either <[email protected]> or
<[email protected]>.
Windows Sockets specification (ftp://rhino.microsoft.com).
Currently NetManage (NEWT), Distinct, FTP and Frontier are
shipping Winsock {TCP/IP} stacks, as is {Microsoft} (Windows
NT and {TCP/IP} for WFW), Beame & Whiteside Software (v1.1
compliant), and Sun PC-NFS. Windows 95 has "dial-up
networking" which supports Winsock and TCP/IP.
winsock.dll is available from some {TCP/IP} stack vendors.
{Novell} has one in beta for their {Lan Workplace} for {DOS}.
Peter Tattam <[email protected]> is
alpha-testing a shareware Windows Sockets compliant {TCP/IP}
stack (ftp://ftp.utas.edu.au/pc/trumpet/winsock/winsock.zip).
and (ftp://ftp.utas.edu.au/pc/trumpet/winsock/winpkt.com).
The Consummate Winsock App List
(http://wwwvms.utexas.edu/~Neuroses/cwsapps.html).
[Adapted from: Aboba, Bernard D., comp.protocols.tcp-ip.ibmpc
Frequently Asked Questions, 1993 Usenet: news:news.answers,
(ftp://netcom1.netcom.com/pub/mailcom/IBMTCP/)].
[Current status?]
(1996-06-20)