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Will intel provide software to emulate x86-64 on x86S?
by throwaway48476 3y ago
Will intel provide software to emulate x86-64 on x86S?
- ArchOversight 3y agoNo, because it is still x86-64, it just bypasses the bootstrapping process that exists right now going from 16 bit to 32 bit to 64 bit by starting the CPU in 64 bit mode. However 32 bit registers and everything will continue to exist, and it will act like todays CPU's that went through the multiple bootstrap rounds to get into 64 bit mode.
- NikkiA 3y agoWhich begs the question as to what 'support' linux needs given that I believe EFI does the job of entering protected mode these days.
- ArchOversight 3y agoEFI only spins up a single core/thread. Starting up the other cores/threads is different than it is now.
- scj 3y agoTo rephrase your question, are there any Long Mode user space changes? Skimming Intel's spec ( https://cdrdv2.intel.com/v1/dl/getContent/776648 https://cdrdv2.intel.com/v1/dl/getContent/776648 ), the X86S looks really risk-adverse towards changing Long Mode user space. I don't recognize any changes offhand, but my knowledge of x86 legacy is pretty limited (and will hopefully be obsolete soon).