AfxBeginThread

quel est le rôle de cette fonction "AfxBeginThread" !!!
j'ai un code:
.....
if(pcap_findalldevs(&alldevs, errbuf) == -1)
{
MessageBox::Show("Error in pcap_findalldevs");
exit(1);
}
for(d=alldevs, i=0; i< this->listBox1->SelectedIndex ;d=d->next, i++);
String^ description = gcnew String(d->name);
MessageBox::Show(description);

//pcap_freealldevs(alldevs); (, NULL);

CWinThread* m_ThreadAgent= AfxBeginThread( dumpThread, NULL );

/*if(!m_ThreadAgent)
{
MessageBox::Show("Error launching the agent thread.");
}*/
}
.....
aide _moi a comprendre