Definition of Windows for Workgroups 3.11 in Network Encyclopedia.
What is Windows for Workgroups 3.11?
Windows for Workgroups 3.11 was a version of Microsoft Windows 3.1 released in 1994 that includes integrated networking components. Windows for Workgroups was first released as Windows for Workgroups 3.10; Windows for Workgroups 3.11 added high-performance 32-bit networking access. Windows for Workgroups was released as both a stand-alone product and as an add-on for Windows 3.1.
![Windows 3.11 for Workgroups Logo](https://networkencyclopedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/windows-311-for-workgroups-logo.jpg)
Windows for Workgroups uses the same graphical user interface (GUI) as Windows 3.1. It includes the following enhancements and features:
- Low 4-KB footprint in conventional memory for use with 32-bit network drivers, enabling large MS-DOS applications to be multitasked in a Windows environment
- Improved performance with 32-bit networking software that provides support for the network driver interface specification (NDIS) 3 standard, plus backward compatibility with the NDIS 2 standard of the 16-bit Windows 3.1 operating system
- Compatibility with Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server, Novell NetWare, and Banyan Vines
- Autodetection of many network interface cards (NICs)
- Support for IPX/SPX in addition to the earlier NetBEUI network protocols
- Password-protected logon
- Integrated mail and fax software
- Workgroup version of Microsoft Mail for e-mail connectivity, and the Schedule+ utility for keeping track of appointments and tasks
- Additional network utilities such as Chat, Net Watcher, WinPopup, and WinMeter
![Windows for Workgroups 3.11 Architecture](https://networkencyclopedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/windows-311-for-workgroups-architecture.jpg)
How it works
The architecture of Windows for Workgroups is essentially the same as that of Windows 3.1 except for the networking subsystem, which supports the newer NDIS 3 standard. Windows for Workgroups also includes enhancements to 32-bit disk access, which is implemented as two Windows virtual device drivers (VxDs): VFAT, a 32-bit, protected-mode replacement for the MS-DOS file allocation table (FAT) file system, and VCACHE, which replaces the MS-DOS SmartDrive disk-caching utility and improves disk input/output (I/O). The network redirector (VREDIR) is implemented as a file system driver as well. The Installable File System (IFS) manager maintains a table that identifies which type of file system device is associated with each disk volume and forwards all I/O calls to the appropriate device.
NOTE
You can add support for advanced TCP/IP features such as Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), Telnet, and File Transfer Protocol (FTP) by using the Microsoft TCP/IP-32 for Windows for Workgroups add-on. You can create the installation disks for this add-on by using Network Client Administrator in Windows NT.