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

Memory that can be used in a 16-bit computer, What is the maximum size of t...

What is the maximum size of the memory that can be used in a 16-bit computer and 32 bit computer? The maximum size of the memory that can be used in a 16-bit computer is 2 memo

Adding layers to the timeline, ADDING LAYERS TO THE TIMELINE AND GIVING MOT...

ADDING LAYERS TO THE TIMELINE AND GIVING MOTION TO THE LAYER Step 1:  Choose Layer from Common toolbar after that draw a layer. Step 2:  Write the text inside Layer. Step

Main memory location, Poor Richard's cache as explained in Conference Topic...

Poor Richard's cache as explained in Conference Topic 2. Suppose that a 7th word (gggg gggg) from main memory location 011110 is read and stored in cache. a) Determine the cach

Add another layout cell, Next add a layout cell for the Learn More About gr...

Next add a layout cell for the Learn More About graphic. 1.  In Objects panel, click the Draw Layout Cell icon. 2.  In Document window, draw a new cell in the space below nav

How is transaction processing system affected, How is Transaction Processin...

How is Transaction Processing System affect performance of e-commerce sites? Transaction Processing System influences performance of e-commerce sites: Transaction-Processing

In what way the protection fault handler concludes, In what way the protect...

In what way the protection fault handler concludes? After finishing the implementation of the fault handler, it sets the change and protection bits and clears the copy on write

What is the file-system security, What is the File-system security Most...

What is the File-system security Most commercial servers use a powerful operating system as base that provides good methods of file-system security. Some servers require additi

Explain about the term business-to-customer, Explain about the term busines...

Explain about the term business-to-customer. B2C (business-to-customer): "Electronic commerce" is usually understood mostly as selling goods or services to people ("last

Benefits of having densely packed integrated circuits, What are benefits of...

What are benefits of having densely packed Integrated Circuits? These are stated below: Reliability: The integrated circuit interconnections are in fact more reliable

Develop a program octal to hexadecimal, Q.  Develop a Menu driven program w...

Q.  Develop a Menu driven program with following menu: 1.  Octal to Decimal 2.  Octal to Hexadecimal 3.  Octal to Binary

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