(1) System Architecture

The system architecture is simple and complex. Of course, I know about the general architecture, but I don't know its branches. A big brother wrote the "Anatomy" series, which really requires anatomy, but the anatomy is complicated. It looks like a plane. It looks simple. If it's split, it's scary.

Glossary:

Firmware (firmware ):Firmware is written to Erom or EPROM (programmable read-only memory ).ProgramThe common understanding is "solidified software", which is called "firmware" by Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao ". To put it simply, the firmware is BIOS software, but it is completely different from common software. It is a program that is solidified in the integrated circuit.CodeTo control and coordinate the functions of the integrated circuit (Baidu ).

CPU-> Central processing unit. Intel or amd cpu is divided according to the architecture. One of its jobs is fetch code-> decode it-> fetch operands-> calculate-> store result.

North Bridge (Nb/MCH/gmch ):This is also known as beiqiao. The common intel 945/P/g and 965 are their North Bridge Chip codes. It can be roughly divided into four blocks (H/W view ):

1. host interface: the part of the interface with the CPU.

2. DRAM interface: Part of the interface with dram

3. display interface: the part of the VGA Interface

4. Link Interface: Part of the interface with South Bridge (South Bridge)

Simply put, the function of North Bridge is to host the block to take the cycle of the CPU issue, identify (identify), and forward it to "correct receiver" (ex. DRAM block, display block, or Link Block)

South Bridge (ICH)->And also known as Southbridge. The common intel ich7/8/9/10 is its Southbridge chip code. It "may" contain the following blocks:

1. Link Interface: refers to the part of the North Bridge.

2. PCI block: process the PCI request section (implement PCI spec H/W part)

3. ACPI block: Implement acpi h/W part

4. USB

5. Audio

6. SATA (ahci)

7 ....

Therefore, nanqiao contains many common terms, such as USB/1394/SATA/hda/TPM/PCIe...

BiOS Rom-> Device that stores the BIOS image. common include isa rom/lpc rom/SPI Rom. the compiled BIOS binary file is burned to this ROM through the recorder or flash tool. the content is 0101... binary Code

So, to sum up, the BIOS code is fetch by the CPU and will be forwarded to Nb after decode. after receiving the request, NB will decode the request. If it is related to dram, forward to DRAM block; if it is related to display, forward to display block; if it is related to PCI, then forward it to sb (through the link between the two), ask sb to find the right person ex. USB, SATA, or 1394 controller! (Don't forget that pci h/W is in SB ...)

The CPU-> NB-> Sb-> Rom mentioned above in sequence will be used to describe some concepts and flow in the subsequent descriptions.

Summary:

1. BIOS can be said to be chipset's driver !!!

2. The cycle of the CPU issue will first arrive at Nb and be determined by Nb to whom it belongs. If it is not for DRAM or display, it will be forwarded to sb and determined by it to whom it belongs.

                                                                                                                                                                                                      

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