The Windows NT Networking Model

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Before reviewing how to configure the network components of Windows NT, it is important to examine the underlying components that make up the networking architecture. The networking architecture is made of several different interlocking layers in which lower levels affect those levels higher than they are. Knowledge of how all the different levels work together is important in understanding how the Windows NT networking architecture enables the various computers in a network to communicate.

All the networking components of Windows NT Workstation 4.0 are built into the operating system (although some of them are not installed automatically and must be manually configured). Any Windows NT Workstation 4.0-based computer can participate as:

• A client or a server in a distributed application environment
• A client or a server in a peer-to-peer networking environment

The built-in networking components enable Windows NT Workstation 4.0 to share files, printers, and applications with other networked computers (including other computers that aren’t based on Windows NT).




A distributed application, also referred to as a client/server application, has its component pieces executing on more than one computer. A front-end process running on a client computer, communicates with a back-end process that runs on a server.

A peer-to-peer network enables any computer to connect to files and printers on any other computer in the network, not just to specialized servers.

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Further Information

• Windows NT Networking versus the OSI Reference Model
• Transport Driver Interface
• File and Print Sharing Process
• Distributed Processing
• Interprocess Communications Mechanisms