Intel Extensible Firmware Interface, Specification

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Glossary
Version 1.02 12/12/00 369
Protocol Handler Services
The set of functions used to manipulate handles, protocols, and protocol interfaces.
Includes
InstallProtocolInterface()
,
UninstallProtocolInterface()
,
ReInstallProtocolInterface()
,
HandleProtocol()
,
RegisterProtocolNotify()
,
LocateHandle()
,and
LocateDevicePath()
.
Protocol Interface Structure
The set of data definitions and functions used to access a particular type of device. For
example, BLOCK_IO is a protocol that encompasses interfaces to read and write blocks
from mass storage devices. See Protocol.
Protocol Revision Number
The revision number associated with a protocol. See Protocol .
PXE
See Preboot Execution Environment .
PXE Base Code Protocol
A protocol that is used to control PXE-compatible devices. It is layered on top of a
Simple Network Protocol to perform packet-level transactions, and may be used by the
firmware’s boot manager to support booting from remote locations. Also called the EFI
PXE Base Code Protocol .
Runtime Services
Interfaces that provide access to underlying platform specific hardware that may be
useful during OS runtime, such as timers. These services are available during the boot
process but also persist after the OS loader terminates boot services.
Runtime Services Driver
A program that is loaded into runtime services memory and stays resident during runtime.
Runtime Services Table
A table that contains the firmware entry points for accessing runtime services functions
such as
Time Services and Virtual Memory Services . The table is accessed through a
pointer in the System Table .
SAL
See System Abstraction Layer .
Serial I/O Protocol
A protocol that is used during boot services to abstract byte stream devices — that is, to
communicate with character-based I/O devices.