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

What is socket inheritance, What is socket inheritance? Explain. Socke...

What is socket inheritance? Explain. Socket Inheritance: In a socket inheritance a reference count mechanism is utilized. Whenever a socket is first created, the system set

Logic-based expert systems, Logic-based Expert Systems : Expert system...

Logic-based Expert Systems : Expert systems are agents that are programmed to make decisions just about real world situations are place together by utilising knowledge illicit

First in first out method, The First In First Out method assumes items of s...

The First In First Out method assumes items of stocks are issued in the same order as they are received. Thus the goods received first are assumed to be the first to be issued .Any

Avantages of oopl in a programming language, Object oriented programming la...

Object oriented programming languages directly show the real life objects. The features of OOPL as inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation makes it strong.

Salient features of a parallel programmable interface-8255, Determine the s...

Determine the salient features of a parallel programmable interface, 8255. 24 I/O lines in 3 8-bit port groups - A, B, C A, B can be 8-bit input or output ports C

What is meant by maskable interrupts, A interrupt that can be turned off by...

A interrupt that can be turned off by the programmer is called as Maskable interrupt.

Intel architecture, INTEL ARCHITECTURE - 64 ( IA-64) IA-64 (Intel Archit...

INTEL ARCHITECTURE - 64 ( IA-64) IA-64 (Intel Architecture-64) is a 64-bit processor architecture developed in cooperation by Intel and Hewlett-Packard, executed by processors s

What is enhanced ide, Q. What is Enhanced IDE? The principle behind EID...

Q. What is Enhanced IDE? The principle behind EIDE interface is the same as in IDE interface however this drive has capacities varying from 10.2GB to 20.5GB. The rotation speed

Design a sequential circuit with two flip-flop and one input, Design a coun...

Design a counter modulo 4 (sequential circuit with two flip-flops and one input U) which work like that: 1. When U=0, the state of the flip-flop does not change. 2. Whe

Evolutionary approaches boil down - artificial intelligence, Evolutionary a...

Evolutionary approaches boil down - artificial intelligence: In fact as we will see whether evolutionary approaches boil down to like (i) just to identify how to represent pos

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