EFI stands forExtensible Firmware Interface (EFI)

It was originally developed byIntel as part of an effort to modernize the boot process for modern computers and portable computers. It specifically would pick up where thebasic input/output system (BIOS) left off for all IBM PC clones.

The development of EFI stemmed from theIntel Boot Initiative, which addressed concerns about the limitations of using BIOS with large server platforms. BIOS is limited to a 16-bit processor mode due to it originally being designed for theIntel 8088 microprocessor. It also was limited to 1MB addressable space.

Unlike BIOS, EFI is processor-independent (not limited to x86 microarchitecture.) It also supports CPU-independent drivers viaEFI Byte Code (EBC) and also provides administrators with a superior pre-OS environment, where networking and other features would be immediately available without further steps.

In 2005, the development of EFI was transferred to theUnified EFI Group, although Intel still owns and exclusively licenses the EFI 1.10 specification. EFI continues on as theUnified Extensible Firmware Interface.

Glossary

Select a term to see the explanation

File extensions

Select a file extension to see its definition

Sections:

• Tech News
• Guides and Tutorials
• Software Downloads
• Top Downloads
• Forums
• Glossary

Follow us:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Instagram
• RSS Feeds:
  • Latest News
  • Software Updates