0% found this document useful (0 votes)
16 views2 pages

Intel Itanium Processor Family Reference Guide: IA-32 Execution Layer

Uploaded by

jjoaquimmartins
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
16 views2 pages

Intel Itanium Processor Family Reference Guide: IA-32 Execution Layer

Uploaded by

jjoaquimmartins
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Quick Reference Guide

Intel Itanium Processor Family


® ®

Reference Guide: IA-32 Execution Layer


IA-32 Application Support Provides Flexibility in Migrating
to Itanium® Architecture
The Intel® Itanium® processor family has been This provides flexibility to IT managers when
architected to provide industry-leading perform- converting from RISC solutions because they
ance and capabilities on high-end applications. can tap into the broad IA-32 ecosystem.
To take advantage of the benefits of the Itanium® 2 Figure A depicts a typical application stack for an
processor, a large and growing number of Itanium 2-based system deployment where both
software applications have been ported to native Itanium and IA-32 applications are used.
native Itanium architecture code. While optimal  For optimal performance, the primary,
performance is realized using native applications, performance-sensitive application (or core
support for IA-32 applications is also provided application), the database, the operating
to enable IT managers flexibility in migrating to system, and the drivers have all been ported
Itanium® 2-based Solutions: to run in native Itanium architecture mode.
 Itanium 2-based Solutions can be deployed  In many cases, IA-32 versions of secondary
when primary, performance-sensitive applications (database administration tools,
applications have been ported to Intel system management, system monitoring,
Itanium architecture. and backup/recovery) will deliver acceptable
performance.
 IA-32 versions of secondary applications
with less stringent performance requirements  For world-class 32-bit enterprise performance,
can be run on Itanium 2-based platforms. TM
use Intel® Xeon processors.

The Itanium® 2-based Solution Stack and IA-32 Application Support


Figure A below represents a typical Itanium 2-based enterprise solution stack

Core Application

Environment-specific Dependencies
standard tools used across the enterprise

DBA Tools Management Monitoring

Backup/Recovery Anti-virus High Availability

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

IA-32 EL will not require any additional enabling from application


vendors or end-users. With support in production operating
IA-32 Instruction Support systems, IA-32 EL will become the default solution for running
Figure B depicts how IA-32 code is supported using IA-32 EL IA-32 applications on Itanium 2-based systems. Operation will
be transparent to end-users. IT managers deploying solutions
Itanium® with operating systems carrying the IA-32 Execution Layer will
IA-32 Code
Architecture realize the benefits immediately.
Code
IA-32 EL

Itanium® 2 IA-32
processor H/W

For more information, visit http://intel.com/go/itanium2

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
property rights is granted by this document. Except as provided in Intel’s Terms and Conditions of Sale for such products, Intel assumes no liability
whatsoever, and Intel disclaims any express or implied warranty, relating to sale and/or use of Intel products including liability or warranties relating to
fitness for a particular purpose, merchantability, or infringement of any patent, copyright or other intellectual property right. Intel products are not intended
for use in medical, life saving, or life sustaining applications. Intel may make changes to specifications and product descriptions at any time, without notice.
*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.
Printed in USA. 0404/OC/DH/PDF Please Recycle 254318-003

You might also like