PATHDocumentation > Hardware > Power Mac G4 Cube Developer Note

     

Open Firmware

The NewWorld software architecture implemented on the current Macintosh computers follows some of the standards defined by the Open Firmware IEEE 1274-1994 specification and the CHRP binding.

The primary Open Firmware reference is the IEEE 1275-1994 Standard for Boot (Initialization, Configuration) Firmware: Core Requirements and Practices. You can order that document electronically from the IEEE Standards Department website at

http://standards.ieee.org/catalog/bus.html

or you can order it by mail from

IEEE Standards Department 445 Hoes Lane, P. O. Box 1331 Piscataway, NJ 08855-1331 Telephone 800-678-4333 (US), 908-562-5432 (International)

The basis for the bootinfo file format and use is described in the document PowerPC Microprocessor Common Hardware Reference Platform (CHRP) System Binding to: IEEE Std 1275-1994 Standard for Boot (Initialization, Configuration) Firmware. A bootinfo file contains Open Firmware script, a description, information for individual operating systems, icons, along with other information.

An introduction to Open Firmware as used with PCI expansion cards on the Macintosh computer is given in Designing PCI Cards and Drivers for Power Macintosh Computers.

Three technotes provide additional information about Open Firmware on the Macintosh computer. They are

Additional information about Open Firmware is provided at Apple's developer Q&A site

http://developer.apple.com/qa/hw/hw-1.html


© 2000 Apple Computer, Inc. (Last Updated 04 Oct 00)