ESO

Lesson 1. Introduction to the i386 architecture

Juan Carlos Pérez & Sergio Sáez

Sergio Sáez
Juan Carlos Pérez
ssaez@disca.upv.es
jcperez@disca.upv.es



1.1 Introducción histórica


1.2 Basic execution environment

Execution Modes

Protected Mode
It is the normal working model of the processor, where all its features are available.
Real Addressing mode
It is a compatibility mode with the 8086, except for the instruction to switch to protected mode. The processor always boots up in this mode.
Management Mode
This is a mode entered through an APIC interruption, useful only for operating system management (power handling, security, etc.)

Basic Features


1.2.1 General purpose registers


1.2.2 The EIP and EFLAG register


1.3 The privilege levels


1.4 Descriptor tables


1.5 Memory handling in protected mode


1.5.1 Memory models


1.6 Interrupt and exception handling


1.6.1 Invocation of an interrupt handler


1.7 Invocation of a function