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

How many types memory mgt can divided, They are of two types. They are big ...

They are of two types. They are big endian and little endian. Memory is separated into two bank, 1:even bank 2:odd bank.

Input output techniques - computer architecture, Input Output Techniques: ...

Input Output Techniques: o   Interrupt driven o   Direct Memory Access (DMA) o   Programmed Programmed I/O   CPU has control over I/O directly   Read/write

What do you call an event and when do you call an assertion, What do you ca...

What do you call an event and when do you call an assertion? Assertion based Verification Tools, checks whether a statement holds a explained  property or not, while, Event bas

Distributivity of connectives, Distributivity of Connectives : In our ...

Distributivity of Connectives : In our last analogy with arithmetic will involve a very well-technique need for playing around with algebraic properties. But assume there if w

Explain the benefits of interpreter, Explain the Benefits of Interpreter? ...

Explain the Benefits of Interpreter? The benefit of an interpreter though is that it doesn't need to go through the compilation stage during which machine instructions are gene

Explain about data registers, Q. Explain about data registers? The data...

Q. Explain about data registers? The data registers are used just for storing intermediate results or data and not for operand address calculation. Some dedicated address re

What are the limitations of a cyclotron, Q. What are the limitations of a c...

Q. What are the limitations of a cyclotron? Limitations (i) Maintaining a consistent magnetic field over a large area of the Dees is difficult. (ii) At high rapidity

Layered architecture of edi, Layered Architecture of EDI: EDI is most c...

Layered Architecture of EDI: EDI is most commonly applied in the implementation and settlement phases of the trade cycle. In implementation of a simple trade exchange, the cust

What are the languages evolved in the html open standard, What are the lang...

What are the languages evolved in the html open standard Even the companies or developers themselves have been affected with such modifications to the open standards since they

Task and parallel task, Task A logically discrete sector of a computati...

Task A logically discrete sector of a computational effort. A task is naturally a program or program-like set of instructions that is implemented by a processor.  Parallel

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