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Week 4 Bootstrapping and Interrupt Handling

The document outlines the bootstrapping process, which includes steps like Power-On Self-Test (POST), boot loader, kernel initialization, and user space initialization, essential for starting a computer and loading the operating system. It also discusses interrupt handling mechanisms, detailing types of interrupts (hardware and software) and the process of handling them through Interrupt Service Routines (ISRs). Understanding these processes is vital for ensuring system stability and performance.

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david.kaje
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2 views

Week 4 Bootstrapping and Interrupt Handling

The document outlines the bootstrapping process, which includes steps like Power-On Self-Test (POST), boot loader, kernel initialization, and user space initialization, essential for starting a computer and loading the operating system. It also discusses interrupt handling mechanisms, detailing types of interrupts (hardware and software) and the process of handling them through Interrupt Service Routines (ISRs). Understanding these processes is vital for ensuring system stability and performance.

Uploaded by

david.kaje
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Week 4: Bootstrapping and Interrupt Handling

1. Bootstrapping Process

• Definition: The initial process of starting up a computer and loading the operating
system.

Steps in the Bootstrapping Process:

1. Power-On Self-Test (POST):


o Definition: The initial phase where the computer performs a series of diagnostic
tests to ensure that hardware components such as the CPU, memory, and storage
devices are functioning correctly.
o Actions:
▪ Check Hardware: Verifies the presence and functionality of essential
hardware components.
▪ Detect Errors: Identifies and reports hardware issues or failures
through error codes or beep sequences.

2. BIOS and UEFI

• BIOS (Basic Input/Output System): Firmware that initializes hardware during the boot
process and provides runtime services for operating systems and programs.
o Characteristics: Older, text-based interface; limited to 16-bit mode.
• UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface): Modern firmware interface that
replaces BIOS. Supports a graphical interface and more advanced features.
o Characteristics: Supports 64-bit mode, large disk sizes, and faster boot times.

2. Interrupt Handling Mechanisms

Certainly! Here are detailed notes on Bootstrapping and Interrupt Handling:

Bootstrapping and Interrupt Handling

MERU UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY-KAJE DAVID MURITHI


Bootstrapping

Overview: Bootstrapping (or "booting") refers to the process of starting up a computer and
loading the operating system into memory. This process involves initializing hardware,
performing self-tests, and setting up the system so that it can run software applications.

Steps in the Bootstrapping Process:

1. Power-On Self-Test (POST):


o Definition: The initial phase where the computer performs a series of diagnostic tests
to ensure that hardware components such as the CPU, memory, and storage devices
are functioning correctly.
o Actions:
▪ Check Hardware: Verifies the presence and functionality of essential
hardware components.
▪ Detect Errors: Identifies and reports hardware issues or failures through error
codes or beep sequences.
2. Boot Loader:
o Definition: A small program stored in a fixed location (usually on a storage device)
that loads the operating system into memory.
o Types:
▪ Primary Boot Loader: Located in the Master Boot Record (MBR) or GUID
Partition Table (GPT) on a disk.
▪ Secondary Boot Loader: Often referred to as a "boot manager" or
"bootloader," which further loads the operating system or its components.
o Actions:
▪ Locate OS: Identifies the location of the operating system on the storage
device.
▪ Load OS: Transfers control to the operating system, beginning its initialization
process.
3. Kernel Initialization:
o Definition: The phase where the operating system's core components (kernel) are
loaded and initialized.
o Actions:

MERU UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY-KAJE DAVID MURITHI


▪ Initialize System Components: Sets up system memory, device drivers, and
essential services.
▪ Mount File Systems: Configures file systems and mounts storage devices for
access.
▪ Start System Services: Initializes background services and system daemons.
4. User Space Initialization:
o Definition: The phase where the user-level environment is set up.
o Actions:
▪ Start User Applications: Launches system processes, graphical interfaces, and
user applications.
▪ Load User Profiles: Initializes user-specific settings and configurations.

Key Components:

• Firmware: The low-level software stored in ROM or flash memory that provides basic
hardware initialization and control (e.g., BIOS, UEFI).
• Boot Sector: The initial sector on a storage device containing the boot loader code.
• Boot Configuration: Files and settings that dictate how the operating system should be loaded
and initialized (e.g., boot configuration data in Windows, GRUB configuration in Linux).

Interrupt Handling

Overview: Interrupt handling is a mechanism that allows the CPU to respond to urgent or high-
priority tasks by pausing its current activities and executing specific routines to address the
interrupt. This process is essential for efficient and responsive system operation.

Types of Interrupts:

1. Hardware Interrupts:
o Definition: Signals sent by hardware devices to indicate that they need attention from
the CPU.
o Examples: Keyboard input, network packet arrival, disk I/O completion.
o Mechanism: Hardware devices send an interrupt request (IRQ) to the CPU.
2. Software Interrupts:
o Definition: Interrupts generated by software instructions, typically used for system
calls or exception handling.

MERU UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY-KAJE DAVID MURITHI


o Examples: System calls (e.g., int 0x80 in Linux), software-generated exceptions
(e.g., divide-by-zero errors).
o Mechanism: Programs or the operating system generate interrupts to request
services or handle errors.

Interrupt Handling Process:

1. Interrupt Request (IRQ):


o Definition: A signal sent by a device or software to request CPU attention.
o Types:
▪ Level-triggered Interrupts: The interrupt signal remains active until
the interrupt is serviced.
▪ Edge-triggered Interrupts: The interrupt signal is triggered by a
change in state, such as a rising or falling edge.

4. Interrupt Service Routines (ISRs)

• Definition: Special routines executed in response to an interrupt signal.


• Design Considerations:
o Efficiency: ISRs should be kept short and fast to minimize interruption to other
processes.
o Atomicity: ISRs must complete their tasks without being interrupted by other
interrupts to avoid conflicts.

Conclusion

Bootstrapping and interrupt handling are fundamental processes in computer systems that
ensure proper initialization and responsive operation. Bootstrapping involves starting up the
system and loading the operating system, while interrupt handling enables the CPU to
efficiently respond to and manage hardware and software requests. Understanding these
processes is crucial for system stability, performance, and effective resource management.

MERU UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY-KAJE DAVID MURITHI

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