# Switching device functions

Use the following functions to open and close switching devices and obtain information about the switch block
:

Function | Description
--- | ---
swiCloseSwitch | Closes the switching device and invalidates the specified switch handle .
swiGetSwitchCaps | Queries the device driver and returns information about the capabilities of the device driver and the switch controlled by it.
swiOpenSwitch | Opens the switching device and returns a switch handle.

All functions in the Switching service are synchronous
.

Refer to Opening a switch handle and Closing a switch handle for more information.