Driver Developer Kit Overview

The DDK helps you develop dynamically loadable device drivers and graphics device handlers for Solaris 2.5.1 by providing you with the necessary software tools, technical assistance, documentation, and technical training information. The DDK runs on all Solaris-supported platforms: SPARC^(TM), x86, and PowerPC^(TM).

Device drivers present the kernel with a consistent interface to diverse devices. Solaris supports a set of source-level interfaces between drivers and the kernel called the device driver interface/driver-kernel interface (DDI/DKI). Device drivers are dynamically loaded by the SunOS^(TM) kernel. Device-driver code runs as kernel-level code.

Graphics device handlers (or device handlers) are software modules that add device-specific support for a Solaris VISUAL^(TM) graphics foundation library. Each Solaris VISUAL foundation library defines a device porting interface, called a graphics porting interface (GPI). With the help of the DDK, you can write a device handler for a specific foundation library that is compliant with the GPI for that foundation library and is dynamically loaded by that foundation library. Device-handler code runs as user-level code.

For graphics devices, you generally need to write both a device driver and a graphics device handler for one or more VISUAL libraries.

The DDK also includes the FCode development tools you need to help you write OpenBoot^(TM) PROM code for SBus cards.

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Note - FCode development tools are not available for x86 systems.

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DDK components are the software tools, libraries, server, and online documentation that make up the DDK. Except for the Solaris X Server, which is delivered on the Solaris CD-ROM disc, the following DDK components are provided on the DDK CD-ROM disc:

• Sample driver source code and driver development tools
• Device driver handler support for VISUAL for Solaris, which includes:

  · Solaris X Server

  · XGL graphics library

  · XIL imaging library

• Kodak Color Management System (KCMS)
• FCode development tools
• Online and hardcopy documentation

These DDK components are explained further in Chapter 2, "Components."

How the DDK Fits Into a Solaris Development Environment

Solaris developers produce applications, drivers, and graphics handlers that are ready for the end-user Solaris runtime environments. A Solaris development environment may be constructed using the:

• Solaris runtime environments (available with any version of Solaris 2.5.1)
• Developer kits (the Solaris 2.5.1 Driver Developer Kit and Software Developer Kit), and
• Compilers (the ProCompilers and SPARCompilers C and C++).

The DDK contributes to this environment by providing the background information, requirements, and testing tools that you need to create software support for specific hardware devices in the Solaris runtime environments. The

DDK provides the information you need to create a wide array of hardware drivers. In some cases, the DDK reduces direct coding efforts by providing sample driver code as a starting point for driver development.

For more information on the Solaris 2.5.1 release, see the Solaris 2.5 Introduction.

New DDK Features

The following features are new to the Solaris 2.5 or 2.5.1 DDK:

• Driver Development Tools, including PCI Bus sample drivers
• Kodak Color Management System (KCMS)
• 3.x version of the Fcode Development Tools
• Sample XGL graphics

The sample XGL graphics handle code in the form of a template, which you can copy and easily modify for your graphics device.

New features for each component are described in Chapter 2, "Components."

Technical Support

If you need help with the installation or use of the DDK, and you're calling from the United States or Canada, call your Authorized Service Provider. Also refer to your Support Addendum card.

The DDK is also supported through the SunSoft Catalyst^SM Developer's Program. The Catalyst program offers a variety of technical support services to assist you in bringing your Solaris-ready software applications to market. For information about the Catalyst program, contact the Catalyst Information Center.

Sun Educational Services

In partnership with Sun Educational Services, SunSoft Authorized Education Centers provide training on Solaris Developer products. These courses are offered at many locations in the United States and throughout the world. For a current class and class-location list, call Sun Educational Services.