[nvmewin] NVMe in-box driver in Win8.1/Server 2012 R2 - some challenges

[Jeff Glass]

Microsoft's position on this seems odd to me.  I don't think it's good
for NVMe or Microsoft.  If they're not providing a pass through
interface, then people are either going to

1.  Ship their own drivers so they can do things like
create/delete/modify namespaces
2.  Need to ship configuration utility on a separate linux live CD to do
those types of things.

I too understand their position, but the solution they've delivered is
going to result in a bad user experience.

On 11/8/2013 6:20 AM, Robert Randall (rrandall) wrote:
>
> Hi Ray,
>
>  
>
> Well stated.  However, I confess that I find it odd that Microsoft
> would not consider providing a WMI interface.  I believe that a WMI
> interface would satisfy their security concerns.  Has this been
> discussed with Microsoft?  I would be happy to provide a simple
> definition of a WMI class which would provide methods for the desired
> interaction with a NVMe controller / adapter.
>
>  
>
> Best regards,
>
> Robert.
>
>  
>
> *From:*Robles, Raymond C [mailto:raymond.c.robles at intel.com]
> *Sent:* Thursday, November 07, 2013 3:29 PM
> *To:* Robert Randall (rrandall); nvmewin at lists.openfabrics.org
> <mailto:nvmewin at lists.openfabrics.org>
> *Cc:* Mayes, Barrett N
> *Subject:* RE: [nvmewin] NVMe in-box driver in Win8.1/Server 2012 R2 -
> some challenges
>
>  
>
> Hi Robert,
>
>  
>
> Microsoft has been very adamant about not supporting pass through
> IOCTLs (via IOCTL_SCSI_MINIPORT) and the potential security threat
> this mechanism poses. There is a potential for them to listen to
> suggestions for workarounds, or alternatives, to pass through IOCTLs.
> However, they have been very clear about not supporting pass through
> IOCTLs.
>
>  
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ray
>
>  
>
> *From:* nvmewin-bounces at lists.openfabrics.org
> <mailto:nvmewin-bounces at lists.openfabrics.org>
> [mailto:nvmewin-bounces at lists.openfabrics.org] *On Behalf Of *Robert
> Randall (rrandall)
> *Sent:* Thursday, November 07, 2013 2:18 PM
> *To:* nvmewin at lists.openfabrics.org <mailto:nvmewin at lists.openfabrics.org>
> *Subject:* [nvmewin] NVMe in-box driver in Win8.1/Server 2012 R2 -
> some challenges
>
>  
>
> Hello all,
>
>  
>
> We have been testing the NVMe in-box driver included in Windows 8.1
> and Server 2012 R2.  It does not appear to have any IOCTL support for
> ADMIN commands.  This is very sad.  This renders the in-box driver
> useless for uses cases where VU ADMIN commands are used to, for
> example, manage NVM Express Namespaces. 
>
>  
>
> Have others had a similar experience with the in-box driver? 
>
>  
>
> Microsoft appears willing to listen to requests to add capabilities to
> the in-box driver.  This represents an opportunity for all of us
> participating in the NVM Express ecosystem to express our requirements
> to Microsoft with one voice.
>
>  
>
> If you believe that the in-box driver is lacking critical features (as
> I do) I would be happy to coordinate a unified response to the
> Microsoft program manager responsible for the in-box device driver.
>
>  
>
> Perhaps this would be a useful topic for the next technical conference
> call?
>
>  
>
> Best regards,
>
> Robert
>
>  
>
> Robert Randall
>
> mobile: 612.770.9612
>
> rrandall at micron.com <mailto:rrandall at micron.com>
>
>  
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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> nvmewin at lists.openfabrics.org
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