Using the virtual network adapter VirtNet

[Koalabaerchen2000]

Recently, the virtual network adapter VirtNet has been released. Is this only a loopback adapter like the Microsoft’s one or can you do some more things with it? I installed the adapter and assigned and IP address to it. It is possible to send packets using this adapter but can you also make the adapter receive packets from the virtual network? I would appreciate if someone could give me some hints how to use this virtual adapter. Unfortunatelly, there is no documentation provided.

Thanks in advance, Max.

[Vadim Smirnov]

As it is stated on VirtNet page it is just dummy network interface which does not do anything special itself (similar to MS loopback adapter, but supports all Windows operating systems). However, when used in combination with WinpkFilter you can build various virtual network environments over it.

WinpkFilter can be used for implementing two major tasks:

1) To indicate packets from the name of VirtNet to TCP/IP stack.
2) To intercept packets sent by TCP/IP stack to VirtNet network interface.

You can create pure virtual network environment or bridge it to the real network or …. Actually, it depends only from you requirements.

[ByTE]

Why speed showed after install equals to 10 MBit/s? This is real limit? Really can this adapter handle mutch more speeds?

[Vadim Smirnov]

Why speed showed after install equals to 10 MBit/s? This is real limit? Really can this adapter handle mutch more speeds?

No, this is not a real limit of course. There is no actual limit for virtual adapter except system perfomance. It’s just a value reported by miniport for the corresponding OID request.

[ByTE]

I have some questions again:
Can I install virtual adapter programmatically?
Can I install 2,3…5 adapters in one system and set different MAC addresses for each adapter programmatically?
Virtual adapter supports frame length > 1514 bytes for 802.1p/q standards?
Thank’s.

[Vadim Smirnov]

Can I install virtual adapter programmatically?

In general yes, but I should note that this is not easy if you intend to support different Windows.I’m also not sure if it is possible on NT 4.0 at all.

Can I install 2,3…5 adapters in one system and set different MAC addresses for each adapter programmatically?

You can create more than one network device within single virtual network adapter driver. So the amswer is yes, but requires additional work.

Virtual adapter supports frame length > 1514 bytes for 802.1p/q standards?

VirtNet emulates 802.3 device, however you can create driver to emulate any kind of network device.

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