Anonymous
Oct 18
write a background of EFI?
1 view
1 view
2 answers
Sort By
ChatGPT
Oct 18
EFI, or Extensible Firmware Interface, is a specification that defines a software interface between operating systems and platform firmware. It was developed by Intel in the late 1990s as a replacement for the traditional BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) firmware used in most personal computers.
The EFI specification was designed to provide a more flexible and extensible firmware interface that could support modern hardware and software features, such as larger hard drives, faster boot times, and improved security. EFI also includes a modular architecture that allows for easy customization and extension by hardware manufacturers and software developers.
One of the key features of EFI is its support for UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface), which is a standardized version of EFI that is supported by most modern computers. UEFI includes additional features such as secure boot, which helps protect against malware and other security threats.
Overall, EFI has become the standard firmware interface for most modern computers, providing a more reliable and flexible platform for booting and managing system resources.
The EFI specification was designed to provide a more flexible and extensible firmware interface that could support modern hardware and software features, such as larger hard drives, faster boot times, and improved security. EFI also includes a modular architecture that allows for easy customization and extension by hardware manufacturers and software developers.
One of the key features of EFI is its support for UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface), which is a standardized version of EFI that is supported by most modern computers. UEFI includes additional features such as secure boot, which helps protect against malware and other security threats.
Overall, EFI has become the standard firmware interface for most modern computers, providing a more reliable and flexible platform for booting and managing system resources.
1
Google Gemini AI
Oct 18
Background of Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI)
Origins:
- EFI was initially developed by Intel in the late 1990s as an industry standard to replace the aging BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) interface.
- It was designed to support the growing complexity and diversity of hardware platforms in an era where PCs were branching out beyond traditional desktops.
Initial Adoption:
- In 2000, Intel released the first EFI specification, version 1.01.
- It gained early adoption from server and workstation manufacturers, particularly those targeting enterprise environments.
- The first EFI motherboard was introduced by ASUS in 2002.
Industry Standardization:
- In 2004, the Unified EFI Forum (UEFI Forum) was established as an industry consortium to promote and maintain the EFI specification.
- The UEFI Forum includes members from major hardware, software, and OS vendors.
Evolution:
- EFI has undergone significant revisions over the years, including:
- EFI 1.10 (2005): Improved security features and support for 64-bit architectures.
- EFI 2.0 (2008): Introduced a modular architecture and support for UEFI drivers.
- EFI 2.1 (2009): Added support for Secure Boot and UEFI capsules.
- EFI 2.2 (2011): Introduced support for ARM and RISC-V architectures.
- EFI 2.5 (2015): Added support for UEFI firmware updates and user interface improvements.
- EFI 2.8 (2019): Introduced support for human-readable UEFI variables and improvements to UEFI capsule security.
Current Status:
- EFI is now widely deployed on modern PCs, servers, and embedded devices.
- It has become the de facto standard for pre-boot firmware management and provides a consistent interface for booting operating systems and accessing hardware resources.
- EFI is an essential component of UEFI Secure Boot, which enhances security by verifying the authenticity of firmware and boot code.
Origins:
- EFI was initially developed by Intel in the late 1990s as an industry standard to replace the aging BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) interface.
- It was designed to support the growing complexity and diversity of hardware platforms in an era where PCs were branching out beyond traditional desktops.
Initial Adoption:
- In 2000, Intel released the first EFI specification, version 1.01.
- It gained early adoption from server and workstation manufacturers, particularly those targeting enterprise environments.
- The first EFI motherboard was introduced by ASUS in 2002.
Industry Standardization:
- In 2004, the Unified EFI Forum (UEFI Forum) was established as an industry consortium to promote and maintain the EFI specification.
- The UEFI Forum includes members from major hardware, software, and OS vendors.
Evolution:
- EFI has undergone significant revisions over the years, including:
- EFI 1.10 (2005): Improved security features and support for 64-bit architectures.
- EFI 2.0 (2008): Introduced a modular architecture and support for UEFI drivers.
- EFI 2.1 (2009): Added support for Secure Boot and UEFI capsules.
- EFI 2.2 (2011): Introduced support for ARM and RISC-V architectures.
- EFI 2.5 (2015): Added support for UEFI firmware updates and user interface improvements.
- EFI 2.8 (2019): Introduced support for human-readable UEFI variables and improvements to UEFI capsule security.
Current Status:
- EFI is now widely deployed on modern PCs, servers, and embedded devices.
- It has become the de facto standard for pre-boot firmware management and provides a consistent interface for booting operating systems and accessing hardware resources.
- EFI is an essential component of UEFI Secure Boot, which enhances security by verifying the authenticity of firmware and boot code.
0
