Technical Q&A

HW 41 - Is there a relationship between the device tree and the Name Registry? (15-February-99)

Q: Is there a relationship between the device tree and the Name Registry?

A: The device tree is an Open Firmware entity that describes the topology of the motherboard and more. See IEEE 1275 Section 3. "Device Tree" for details.

During the boot sequence, the Mac OS interacts with Open Firmware to move part of the device tree into the Name Registry. However, the Name Registry is a Mac OS database and subject to change. At present, the device tree is a node in Name Registry. In short, they are related, with the Name Registry being a super set of the device tree.