Pre-os and runtime sub-os functionality, Computer Engineering

Assignment Help:

In a raw Itanium, a "Processor Abstraction Layer" (PAL) is integrated into the system. When it is booted the PAL is loaded into the CPU and gives a low-level interface that abstracts some instructions and gives a mechanism for processor updates distributed via a BIOS update.

During BIOS initialization an additional layer of code, the "System Abstraction Layer" (SAL) is loaded that gives a uniform API for execution-specific platform functions.

On top of the PAL/SAL interface sits the "Extensible Firmware Interface" (EFI). EFI is not part of the IA-64 architecture but by convention it is needed on all IA-64 systems. It is a easy API for access to logical aspects of the system (display, storage, keyboard, etc) combined with a lightweight runtime environment (same to DOS) that allows basic system administration tasks such as configuring storage adapters, flashing BIOS and running an OS boot-loader.

Once the OS has been booted, some aspects of the PAL/SAL/EFI stack remain resident in memory and can be accessed by the OS to perform low-level tasks that are implementation-dependent on the underlying hardware.


Related Discussions:- Pre-os and runtime sub-os functionality

Explain briefly the function of layers, Explain briefly the function of dif...

Explain briefly the function of different layers which are covered under end to end layer connectivity. Different layer are as follows: 1. Transport Layer:  This is res

What are desirable features of an electronic market place, What are the des...

What are the desirable features of an Electronic Market Place? Features of an Electronic Market Place: 1. Its electronic and business center is not a physical building qu

What is flash memory, Q. What is Flash Memory? This memory is other fo...

Q. What is Flash Memory? This memory is other form of semiconductor memory that was first introduced in mid-1980.  These memories can be reprogrammed at high speed and therefo

Rectifier output with fitters, Rectifier output with fitters: When hal...

Rectifier output with fitters: When half-wave and full-wave rectification suffice to deliver a type of DC output, neither produces constant-voltage DC (direct current). To gen

What is the type of process identifiers, What is the type of Process Identi...

What is the type of Process Identifiers? Identification of the real user Identification of the effective user Identification of the real group Identification

What are sections, Layout pages, can describe sections, which can then be o...

Layout pages, can describe sections, which can then be overridden by particular views making use of the layout. Major and overriding sections is optional.

Define atomic directive in fortan, Q. Define Atomic Directive in FORTAN? ...

Q. Define Atomic Directive in FORTAN? Atomic directive guarantees a specific storage location is updated atomically rather than exposing it to odds of multiple simultaneous wri

Explain about working of multiplexer, Q. Explain about working of Multiplex...

Q. Explain about working of Multiplexer? Multiplexer is one of the fundamental building units of a computer system that in principle permits sharing of a common line by more th

When is a memory unit called as ram, When is a memory unit called as RAM? ...

When is a memory unit called as RAM? A memory unit is called as RAM if any location can be accessed for a read or writes operation in some fixed quantity of time that is indepe

Explain about algebraic simplification, Q. Explain about Algebraic Simplifi...

Q. Explain about Algebraic Simplification? We have already determined algebraic simplification of logic circuit. An algebraic expression can exist in SOP or POS forms.  Let's i

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd