In order to prevent a continuation of COM port problems, it is undesirable to include a COM port in machines. This specification describes the options available to OEMs to provide the required debug port. These options reflect the assertion that implementation for a debug port must be cheap, easy to manufacture, and standard. Simple standard software interface. In some cases, this connector may use existing standards or may be a new standard.
Software interface requires only a very small overhead to run it.
In addition, for use in the field and for debugging crashes after the fact, it is highly desirable that a debug cable can be connected and used on the fly without requiring a reboot. The differences between the two approaches are in the external interface and in which component the debug port is implemented. Standard IEEE 1394 cables can be used for this purpose. This approach is supported in the Windows Millennium Edition operating system and will be supported in future versions of the Windows 2000 operating system. Plans for support under the original version of Windows 2000 have not been announced.