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

Use of overlapped register windows, Q. Use of Overlapped Register Windows? ...

Q. Use of Overlapped Register Windows? Register file comprises 138 registers. Let them be called by register number 0 - 137.  Diagram demonstrates the use of registers: when

State and describe the iros subsystems, Question: (a) iRoom was constru...

Question: (a) iRoom was constructed based on the guiding principles listed below, discuss on each one of those principles with respect to why the specific principle was adopted

Illustration of instruction format, Let's provide you a fundamental illustr...

Let's provide you a fundamental illustration by which you may be able to define the concept of instruction format.  Let us consider the instruction format of a MIPS computer. MI

Binary tree can be converted in to its mirror image, A binary tree can be c...

A binary tree can be converted in to its mirror image By traversing it in Preorder

How are the instructions provided to computer, Let's answer our second ques...

Let's answer our second question first. All computers have a Unit which performs arithmetic and logical functions. This Unit is called as Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU). However h

Explain the advantages of computer, Explain the advantages of computer ...

Explain the advantages of computer Computer is one of the main components of an Information Technology network and getting increasing popularity. Nowadays, computer technology

Features of hyper-threading, The salient features of hyper threading are: ...

The salient features of hyper threading are: i)  Improved support for multi-threaded code, permitting multiple threads to run concurrently. ii) Response time and improved rea

#computer architecture, explain common bus system with the help of neat dia...

explain common bus system with the help of neat diagram in basic computer.

Computer Architecture, As an advocate of CISC architecture to RISC architec...

As an advocate of CISC architecture to RISC architecture, what are the merits and demerits of CISC to RISC architecture

What do you mean by manual assembly, Q. What do you mean by Manual Assembly...

Q. What do you mean by Manual Assembly? It was an old method which required the programmer to translate every opcode in its numerical machine language representation by search

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