MPE/iX System Utilities Reference Manual (32650-90908)

Chapter 25
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25 STANDARDS
The system bootstrap, initial program load (IPL) and initial system load (ISL) standard provides a standard
interface through which any Hewlett-Packard Precision Architecture (PA-RISC) computer can boot any
operating system. The standard also provides a common user interface for booting PA-RISC systems.
WARNING Do not use this information without service center support. Unauthorized use will
void your warranty and may cause data loss.
The following terms are used in this chapter:
PDC Refers to processor-dependent code as defined in the System I/O Architectural Control
Document (ACD).
IODC I/O-dependent code is I/O-device-specific code used to test and access I/O devices (also
defined in the I/O ACD).
BOOTSTRAP BOOTSTRAP describes the PDC and IODC functionality needed to bring code into memory
and launch it.
IPL Initial program load is the first code brought into the system and executed from outside the
SPU. This code is loaded by the bootstrap code.
ISL Initial system load is a standard code module that is used during the startup of any
operating system to provide a standard user interface for booting. On some systems, this
code may be the IPL, while on others, IPL may perform some preliminary tasks and then
proceed to load the ISL.
The bootstrap and initial system load are discussed on the following pages.
The bootstrap
The bootstrap performs these functions:
• a minimum SPU test including memory configuration, nondestructive memory test, and destructive SPU
test and one coldload device path
• provides user interface with system initialization information and alters the initialization path.
• reads in the IPL code from the one load device, finds the location of the IPL on the device through a
pointer in the device label, and loads and launches the IPL code.