VendorID

A Vendor ID, often abbreviated as VendorID or VID, is a unique numerical identifier assigned to a hardware manufacturer or vendor. In computing, this ID plays a crucial role in the recognition and proper functioning of hardware devices. When a new device is connected to a computer, the operating system queries the device to identify its manufacturer and model. The Vendor ID is a key piece of information that the device provides during this enumeration process.

Device drivers, which are software components that enable the operating system to communicate with hardware, are often designed to look for specific Vendor IDs. When the operating system identifies a Vendor ID from a connected device, it can then search its database of drivers for one that matches both the Vendor ID and the device's specific Product ID (PID). This allows the system to load the correct driver, ensuring the device operates as intended. Without Vendor IDs and Product IDs, operating systems would struggle to distinguish between the vast array of hardware components available, making it difficult to load the appropriate software for their use. In essence, the Vendor ID acts as a digital fingerprint for the company that created the hardware.