The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018):

Windows sockets
Winsock

    (Winsock) A specification for
   Microsoft Windows network software, describing how
   applications can access network services, especially TCP/IP.
   Winsock is intended to provide a single API to which
   application developers should program and to which multiple
   network software vendors should conform.  For any particular
   version of Microsoft Windows, it defines a binary interface
   (ABI) such that an application written to the Windows
   Sockets API can work with a conformant protocol
   implementation from any network software vendor.

   Winsock was conceived at Fall Interop '91 during a Birds of a
   Feather session.

   Windows Sockets is supported by Microsoft Windows, Windows
   for Workgroups, Win32s, Windows 95 and Windows NT.  It
   will support protocols other than TCP/IP.  Under Windows
   NT, Microsoft will provide Windows Sockets support over
   TCP/IP and IPX/SPX.  DEC will be implementing
   DECNet.  Windows NT will include mechanisms for multiple
   protocol support in Windows Sockets, both 32-bit and 16 bit.

   Mark Towfiq said, "The next rev. of Winsock will not be until
   toward the end of 1993.  We need 1.1 of the API to become
   firmly settled and implemented first."

   Windows Sockets API
   (ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/micro/pc-stuff/ms-windows/winsock).
   or (ftp://microdyne.com/pub/winsock) or send a message
   "help" to either  or
   .

   Windows Sockets specification (ftp://rhino.microsoft.com).

   Currently NetManage (NEWT), Distinct, FTP and Frontier are
   shipping Winsock TCP/IP stacks, as is Microsoft (Windows
   NT and TCP/IP for WFW), Beame & Whiteside Software (v1.1
   compliant), and Sun PC-NFS.  Windows 95 has "dial-up
   networking" which supports Winsock and TCP/IP.

   winsock.dll is available from some TCP/IP stack vendors.
   Novell has one in beta for their Lan Workplace for DOS.

   Peter Tattam  is
   alpha-testing a shareware Windows Sockets compliant TCP/IP
   stack (ftp://ftp.utas.edu.au/pc/trumpet/winsock/winsock.zip).
   and (ftp://ftp.utas.edu.au/pc/trumpet/winsock/winpkt.com).

   The Consummate Winsock App List
   (http://wwwvms.utexas.edu/~Neuroses/cwsapps.html).

   [Adapted from: Aboba, Bernard D., comp.protocols.tcp-ip.ibmpc
   Frequently Asked Questions, 1993 Usenet: news:news.answers,
   (ftp://netcom1.netcom.com/pub/mailcom/IBMTCP/)].

   [Current status?]

   (1996-06-20)