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 pbo and pai events, What is PBO and PAI events? PBO- Process...

What is PBO and PAI events? PBO- Process before Output-It verifies the flow logic before displaying the screen. PAI- Process after Input-It verifies the flowlogic after

Explain readers-writers problem, Explain Readers-writers problem. Read...

Explain Readers-writers problem. Readers-writers problem: Assume that a data object (as a file or record) is to be shared between several concurrent processes. The readers ar

Explain clearly the difference between j-cuts and l-cuts, Question: (a)...

Question: (a) Explain clearly the difference between J-cuts and L-Cuts. (b) What is the function of the rate stretch tool? (c) What's the difference between an Image Matt

What is expansion swap, What is Expansion swap? At the time when any pr...

What is Expansion swap? At the time when any process needs more memory than it is currently allocated, the Kernel performs Expansion swap. To do this Kernel reserves enough spa

Register transfer - computer architecture, Register transfer - computer arc...

Register transfer - computer architecture: Register transfer: The output and input gates for register Ri are controlled by the signals Riout and Riin respectively.

Explain both absolute addressing and implied addressing, Absolute addressin...

Absolute addressing and  Implied addressing A fixed address is specified and also called as direct addressing. The location of data is implied by instruction itself, so no

What is keyboard layout, Q. What is Keyboard Layout? A keyboard layout ...

Q. What is Keyboard Layout? A keyboard layout is arrangement of keys across the keyboard. There is one keyboard layout which anybody who has worked on a standard keyboard or ty

What is edi (electronic data interchange), What is EDI (Electronic Data Int...

What is EDI (Electronic Data Interchange)? EDI: Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is used by organizations for transactions that happen on regular basis to a pre-determined for

What is disk access time, Q. What is disk access time? The disk access ...

Q. What is disk access time? The disk access time has two key components: Seek Time: Seek time is the time for disk arm to move heads to the cylinder comprising the desi

What are the logic micro-operations, Q. What are the Logic Micro-operations...

Q. What are the Logic Micro-operations? Logic operations are fundamentally binary operations that are performed on string of bits stored in the registers. For a logic micro-ope

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