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 data rates in public switched telephone network, Explain data rates...

Explain data rates in public switched telephone network. Data rates in PSTNs : A voice channel in a public switched telephone network is band restricted with a nominal bandwid

Security features used in client-server types of network, Security features...

Security features used in Client-Server types of network are as follows :  i) Digital Signatures ii)  Encryption / Decryption iii) Secure Socket Layer (SSL) iv) Firewa

Write a short note on pointer declaration, Write a short note on pointer de...

Write a short note on pointer declaration A simple variable in a program is stored in a certain number of bytes at a particular memory location, or address, in the machine. Poi

What are the different types of distributing frames, What are the different...

What are the different types of distributing frames used in exchanges? The various distribution frames used in exchange are demonstrated in figure. Every subscriber in a telep

How to correctly apply the graphics patches in matlab, Open a LOCAL MACHINE...

Open a LOCAL MACHINE window and type: xhost +ashland # Add the following code sequence just before the plot command that was giving you problems: figure; set(gcf,'renderer','zbuffe

What is a fifo, What is a FIFO? FIFO is otherwise known as 'named pipes...

What is a FIFO? FIFO is otherwise known as 'named pipes'. FIFO (first-in-first-out) is a particular file which is said to be data transient. Once data is read from named pipe,

What methods can be overridden in java, In C++ terminology, all public meth...

In C++ terminology, all public methods in Java are virtual. Thus, all Java methods can be overwritten in subclasses except those that are declared final, private and static.

Clarify the operation of iret instruction, Clarify the operation of IRET in...

Clarify the operation of IRET instruction.  What memory locations comprise the vector for an INT 34 instruction? Interrupt return (IRET) instruction is used only with hardware

Setjmp and longjmp, How does throwing and catching exceptions differ from u...

How does throwing and catching exceptions differ from using setjmp and longjmp? Ans) The throw operation calls the destructors for automatic objects instantiated as entry to th

Microprocessors Instruction sets, Write a program to mask bits D3D2D1D0 and...

Write a program to mask bits D3D2D1D0 and to set bits D5D4 and to invert bits D7D6 of the AX register.

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