Best practices for packaging and distributing device drivers

1. HW-903T Best practices for packaging and distributing device drivers Chad Siefert Senior Test Lead Microsoft Corporation

2. Device lifecycle

3. Agenda What is a driver package Why is packaging important? How to streamline packages for Windows 8 Development, certification and distribution You’ll leave with an understanding of: Packaging and distribution strategies designed to take full advantage of Windows 8 features

4. Windows 8 introduces a new way of thinking about device experiencesthat starts with packaging and distribution.

5. Why is packaging important?

6. Great driver packages make Windows 8 user experiences even better.

7. What is a driver package? Describes the devices your driver supports Driver files for your device Device configuration settings Versioning information

8. Good things come in small packages Compact packages download and install quicker Maintaining and updating fewer components is easier Be mindful of smaller form factors

9. Keeping it simple Windows 8 device installation is faster with simple packages Improve installation success with reduced complexity Keep the driver package lean and deliver value added Metro style apps for your devices automatically

10. How to streamline packages for Windows 8

11. “Be Brief, Be Bright, Be Gone”The best device installation experience is fast, enables desired device experiences and doesn’t disrupt the user.

12. Strategy for matchmaking Matching drivers to devices requires planning and strategy Use a broad model match to cover generic functionality Match on more specific hardware IDs to outrank class drivers Match on less specific hardware IDs for broad applicability Reserve most specific hardware IDs for unique hardware Match on compatible IDs for generic class drivers

13. Matchmaking – an example AUTO\Car&Midsize&2door AUTO\Toyota&Tacoma AUTO\Toyota&Tacoma&4door or AUTO\Toyota&Tacoma&v6 AUTO\Toyota&Tacoma&4door&v6

14. Targeting Target processor architecture for driver binaries No need to target OS version Windows 8 and Windows update will provision the newest, most specific driver available

15. Configuration Describe all device configuration settings in the INF Use simple native INF directives Take advantage of Windows 8 fast device configuration by avoiding co-installers Attend chalk talk 888 – Delivering Great Device Installation Experiences

16. Versioning and localization Ensure straightforward, targeted driver update by using a consistent versioning scheme. Support users around the world with localized device descriptions

17. Package payload Build packages specific to a target device Avoid installers Distribute apps separately Use catalog file to sign INF and driver files

18. Develop, certify and distribute

19. Develop & certify Windows and Visual Studio unite to create a world-class environment for driver development • Make use of Visual Studio ‘11’ and the Windows Driver Kit add-on pack to build great Windows device experiences The Windows Hardware Certification Kit (HCK) helps you deliver hardware that meets customer expectations Test and certify your package with the HCK early and often

20. Deployment Consider all the ways your driver package can be provisioned • Windows update • SetupCopyOEMInf • Offline image creation • IT deployments with no interactive user • IT deployments to managed desktops • Unattended setup • OS upgrade/migration The runtime environment can and will change

21. Windows update Take advantage of our bandwidth and deployment infrastructure The newest, most specific driver available will be offered Drivers can quickly be distributed globally Fix problems in specific driver versions with installed version targeting New PC form factors present challenges for drivers on traditional physical media

22. Wrap up Build self-describing driver packages that are certified and available on Windows Update • Automatically provisioned • Fast and reliable installation Use the WDK and HCK out the gate Layer user experience on top of the driver package • Metro style apps for devices will be delivered automatically • Use RequestAdditionalSoftware for desktop software experiences

23. Related Sessions • Design considerations for your device and drivers • Delivering Great Device Installation Experiences • Modern driver development using Visual Studio • Introducing the Windows Hardware Certification Kit • Experiencing the Windows Hardware Certification Kit

24. Additional reading and resources Tools for Signing Drivers Tools for Device Metadata Packages Windows Hardware Developer Center Dashboard Windows 8 Certification Requirements - Preview Windows Hardware Dev Center Windows Dev Center

25. thank you Feedback and questions http://forums.dev.windows.com Session feedbackhttp://bldw.in/SessionFeedback

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