NetBIOS Sessions

The NetBIOS session service provides a connection-oriented, reliable, full-duplex
message service to a user process. NetBIOS requires one process to be the client and the
other to be the server. NetBIOS session establishment requires a preordained cooperation
between the two stations. One application must have issued a Listen command when
another application issues a Call command. The Listen command references a name in its
NetBIOS name table (or WINS server), and also the remote name an application must use
to qualify as a session partner. If the receiver (listener) is not already listening, the Call
will be unsuccessful. If the call is successful, each application receives notification of
session establishment with the session-id. The Send and Receive commands the transfer
data. At the end of a session, either application can issue a Hang-Up command. There is
no real flow control for the session service because it is assumed a LAN is fast enough to
carry the required traffic.