Glossary
Version 1.02 12/12/00 363
DMTF
See Desktop Management Task Force.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
A protocol that is used to get information from a configuration server. DHCP is defined
by the Desktop Management Task Force, not EFI.
EFI Application
Modular code that may be loaded in the boot services environment to accomplish
platform specific tasks within that environment. Examples of possible applications might
include diagnostics or disaster recovery tools shipped with a platform that run outside the
OS environment. Applications may be loaded in accordance with policy implemented by
the platform firmware to accomplish a specific task. Control is then returned from the
application to the platform firmware.
EFI-compliant
Refers to a platform that complies with this specification.
EFI-conformant
See EFI-compliant.
EFI Driver
A module of code typically inserted into the firmware via protocol interfaces. Drivers
may provide device support during the boot process or they may provide platform
services. It is important not to confuse drivers in this specification with OS drivers that
load to provide device support once the OS takes control of the platform.
EFI File
A container consisting of a number of blocks that holds an image or a data file within a
file system that complies with this specification.
EFI Hard Disk
A hard disk that supports the new EFI partitioning scheme (GUID Partitions).
EFI OS Loader
The first piece of operating system code loaded by the firmware to initiate the OS boot
process. This code is loaded at a fixed address and then executed. The OS takes control
of the system prior to completing the OS boot process by calling the interface that
terminates all boot services.
EM (Enhanced Mode)
The 64-bit architecture extension that makes up part of the Intel Itanium architecture.
End of Hardware Device Path
A Device Path which, depending on the sub-type, is used to indicate the end of the
Device Path instance or Device Path structure.