That is still TCP/IP over Firewire. If you remove or disable the "1394 net adapter" from Windows XP all of your other Firewire devices will still work that don't rely on using TCP/IP over Firewire.

There is a different interface depending on what type of device you're trying to talk to. SBP-2 is for harddisks and DVD style drives. IEC61883-1 is for audio transmission over Firewire.

It's true that each device on the bus has a different address on the bus. You still need another layer on top that provides the necessary interfaces. Nothing to stop you talking to another PC using a raw isosynchronous channel apart from the lack of a driver. Or whatever protocol that takes your fancy.

I'm using Windows XP as well and I do have the 1394 Net Adapter listed. I've also got a OHCI compliant 1394 host controller listed seperately which is the actual hardware device itself. Anything else is a virtual device.

- Trevor