device for the parallel port: How to install?

[Spiro Trikaliotis]

Hello,

I'm currently writing a device which is attached to the parallel port.

On NT4, this driver is installed via the SC manager, it enumerates the
parallel port and allocates/deallocates it via internal IOCTL.

I ask myself which way to use for Win 2000/XP with the ability for
processing PnP, that is, a new attached or deattached parallel port
should be recognized. I thought of three possibilities:

1. Like on NT4

2. Use a root-enumerated driver as a kind of bus driver, enumerate the
parallel ports and register for Plug-n-Play notifications to be able
to handle plugged-in parallel ports.

3. Write a class filter for the parallel port, which just passes every
IRP to the parallel port driver, but give another interface for my
device.

What do you thing? Which one is the best (and least-intrusive) approach?

Another option would be to let my driver be installed "in parallel" to
every parallel port driver. But, from my understanding, this is not
possible, is it? An INF file is exclusive to PnP hardware, isn't it?

Thanks for any inputs,
Spiro.

[Spiro Trikaliotis]

Hello,

Post by Spiro Trikaliotis
Hello,
I'm currently writing a device which is attached to the parallel port.
On NT4, this driver is installed via the SC manager, it enumerates the
parallel port and allocates/deallocates it via internal IOCTL.
I ask myself which way to use for Win 2000/XP with the ability for
processing PnP, that is, a new attached or deattached parallel port
1. Like on NT4
2. Use a root-enumerated driver as a kind of bus driver, enumerate the
parallel ports and register for Plug-n-Play notifications to be able
to handle plugged-in parallel ports.
3. Write a class filter for the parallel port, which just passes every
IRP to the parallel port driver, but give another interface for my
device.
What do you thing? Which one is the best (and least-intrusive) approach?
Another option would be to let my driver be installed "in parallel" to
every parallel port driver. But, from my understanding, this is not
possible, is it? An INF file is exclusive to PnP hardware, isn't it?
Thanks for any inputs,
Spiro.

I ask myself if this question is too easy, too stupid, no one cares or
has an opinion about, or what else?

I can't believe no one else thought about this. I would be especially
interested if it is possible to install my driver "in parallel" to the
original parport.sys driver (well, from my understanding it would be
possible if I use the "original" INF and add my stuff. Anyway, is it
even possible without using the original INF?)

Thanks for any help,
Spiro.