| | 19 | |
| | 20 | The Device Driver Framework (DDF) implements common functionality which is useful for most device drivers. It manages the device topology graph (device tree), coordinates enumeration, automatically starts drivers and allows communication between drivers of parent and child devices. DDF imposes certain structure of the driver and defines calls and entry points by which DDF and the driver communicate. |
| | 21 | |
| | 22 | Internally DDF consists of a server, the Device Manager (''devman'') and the Device Driver Library (''libdrv''). Every driver is linked against ''libdrv'', which internally communicates with the Device Manager via IPC -- this is hidden from the driver. Device Manager holds information about drivers and device topology and coordinates operation of the drivers. |
| | 23 | |
| | 24 | There is an administration tool associated with the Device Manager, ''devctl''. ''devctl'' can be used to control operation of the Device Manager. It can display the device tree, offline and online devices (i.e. perform anticipated unplug operations). |
