Microsoft WHQL and CNR HCTs

1. Microsoft WHQL and CNR HCTs Mark Williams, Hardware Technical Evangelist Microsoft

2. Agenda • Current Situation • A CNR device logo can be obtained for a particular riser/motherboard combination with current HCTs • Additional CNR tests are being developed for CNR and motherboard vendors • WHQL CNR Logo Program Progression • Step 1: Logo Systems and CNR Device/MB Combinations • Step 2: Independent CNR Device Logo • Step 3: Independent CNR Motherboard Logo • Step 4: Self-Testing for All • Calls to Action

3. Current Situation • WHQL is developing CNR HCTs • First CNR hardware is being submitted to WHQL • Using existing HCTs to test that hardware • Audio, Net, Modem, and USB HCTs for example • Adding manual tests for CNR specific functionality to HCTs • As more CNR hardware is submitted and logo’d, WHQL will select reference CNR motherboards and reference CNR cards • Long-range plan for enabling self-testing

4. CNR Test Development Risks • CNR cards not compatible across all systems • By spec, CNR is not a retail upgrade path • Only OEM configuration allowed • Motherboard complexity increases • New WHQL tests assertions required • System BIOS complexity increases • New WHQL tests assertions required • Some additions to current HCTs proposed • Also, some tests in the current HCTs may not be applicable for CNR

5. WHQL CNR Logo Program Summary • Plan is a sequence of four steps • Step 1: Establish processes for a CNR capable system logo and a CNR device logo. In this step the MB and devices will be logo’d as a combination. • Step 2: Establish a small set of reference CNR motherboards and tests for CNR device vendors • Step 3: Establish a set of reference CNR devices and tests for CNR motherboard vendors • Step 4: Self-testing by all CNR vendors • Step 1 is complete • WHQL can accept MB/CNR combination submissions today

6. Step 1: Logo Systems and CNR Device/MB Combinations • For systems that use a CNR capable motherboard • Case 1: Logo for a system shipped with CNR MB and no bundled CNR devices • Use current system HCT test kit • Case 2: Logo for a system shipped with CNR MB and bundled CNR devices • Each specific CNR device/MB combination must be logo’d • Use current system and device HCT test kits • CNR/MB logo can be obtained by system vendor or riser vendor • Use current HCT test kits for a CNR-device logo that is tied to a specific MB • Complete additional CNR-specific manual tests

7. Step 2: Independent CNR Device Logo • Reference CNR MBs selected by WHQL from Step 1 submissions • Enables CNR riser testing to be independent of a motherboard • Starts when 2 or 3 CNR MBs from different vendors meet logo quality in Step 1 testing • These CNR MBs become test reference MBs • Must be available to entire PC industry • WHQL will work proactively with PC industry and reference MB vendors to achieve this

8. Step 2: How to use Reference MBs • CNR vendor self-test • Test a CNR device with all reference MBs • Use all WHQL CNR tests applicable to that CNR riser • WHQL repeats testing procedure • If all tests pass, that CNR card gets a logo

9. Step 3: Independent CNR MB Logo • Reference CNR cards selected by WHQL from Step 2 submissions • Enables CNR motherboard testing to be independent of a system and a particular riser • Starts when: • Enough CNR risers from different vendors meet logo quality in Step 2 testing • All new CNR tests are ready • These CNR cards become MB test references • Must be available to entire PC industry • WHQL will work proactively with PC industry and reference riser vendors to achieve this

10. Step 3: How to use Reference Risers • Motherboard vendor self-test • Test a motherboard with all reference risers • Use all WHQL CNR tests • WHQL repeats testing procedure • If all tests pass, that CNR motherboard gets a logo

11. Step 4: CNR Self-Test Submissions • Starts when it becomes clear to WHQL that CNR solutions will work with any logo’d CNR motherboard

12. Calls to Action • System Vendors • Submit systems with CNR motherboards now for WHQL logo • With or without a bundled CNR riser • Obtain CNR/MB combination logo if using CNR • Work with your CNR motherboard and/or CNR riser hardware partners to get their products to Microsoft to qualify as a reference • For more information, contact cnrhelp@microsoft.com

13. Calls to Action • CNR Motherboard Vendors • Work with Microsoft to establish your motherboard/BIOS combination as a test reference • This will speed up the start of Step 2 of the WHQL plan • For more information, contact cnrhelp@microsoft.com

14. Calls to Action • CNR Card Vendors • Work with Microsoft to establish your CNR riser as a test reference • Especially risers that have wide functional coverage: audio, net, and USB all on the same riser • This will speed up the start of Step 3 and Step 4 of the WHQL plan • For more information, contact cnrhelp@microsoft.com