Intel Itanium Processor Family Reference Guide: IA-32 Execution Layer
Intel Itanium Processor Family Reference Guide: IA-32 Execution Layer
Core Application
Environment-specific Dependencies
standard tools used across the enterprise
Operating System
Drivers
Adapters
Server Hardware
Legend:
■ IA-32 or Itanium®-based Solutions
■ Itanium-based Solutions optimal
Considerations for Running 32-bit Applications The Benefits of the IA-32 Execution Layer
on 64-bit Platforms IA-32 EL enhances Itanium 2 processor support for
There are other considerations for running 32-bit applications on IA-32 applications:
Intel Itanium®-based systems. Generally, 64-bit operating systems
Greater flexibility in supporting new IA-32 instructions.
do not support 16-bit applications or 32-bit applications that
include 32-bit device drivers. This applies to Itanium as well Higher performance with IA-32 applications running on
as other 64-bit platforms. For Itanium 2-based systems, 16-bit Itanium 2-based platforms. With an Itanium 2 processor
applications and 32-bit device drivers must be ported to native 1.50 GHz with 6M L3 cache, IA-32 EL enables performance
Itanium architecture code. comparable to an Intel Xeon processor MP 1.50 GHz
(varies by application).1
How the IA-32 Execution Layer Works As the performance increases in future generations of the
Itanium 2 processors have always provided the capability to Itanium processor family, performance with IA-32 EL will rise
support IA-32 applications using on-die hardware. To enhance proportionately. Expectations are that IA-32 EL performance
will be 50%-70% compared to performance with native
this support and add flexibility, Intel developed a new technology
Itanium-based applications.
called the IA-32 Execution Layer (IA-32 EL).
IA-32 EL is a software binary that will be part of leading IA-32 Execution Layer Availability and Deployment
operating systems that support Itanium architecture, including
Production plans for IA-32 EL are as follows:
Windows* and Linux.*
Microsoft currently supports IA-32 EL for Windows Server*
Execution of the 32-bit applications by either the hardware 2003 Enterprise Edition for 64-bit Itanium-based systems,
or the software is transparent to the end-user. When using Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition for 64-bit Itanium-
operating systems with IA-32 EL, support for IA-32 instructions based systems, and Windows XP 64-bit Edition.
will be provided with IA-32 EL instead of the on-die hardware IA-32 EL will be available with Linux operating systems from
(IA-32 H/W) (see Figure B below). Red Hat, SUSE, and SGI in 2004.2
Itanium® 2 IA-32
processor H/W
Footnotes
1. Based on Intel internal measurements.
2. Use of IA-32 EL with third party software may require you to obtain license rights from such third parties.
Performance tests and ratings are measured using specific computer systems and/or components and reflect the approximate performance of Intel products
as measured by those tests. Any difference in system hardware or software design or configuration may affect actual performance. Buyers should consult
other sources of information to evaluate the performance of systems or components they are considering purchasing.
Information in this document is provided in connection with Intel® products. No license, express or implied, by estoppel or otherwise, to any intellectual
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*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
Copyright © 2004 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.
Intel, the Intel logo, Itanium and Intel Xeon are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation
or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.
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