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IA32 Platform

IA32 Processor

  • The IA-32 processor platform allows three different methods of accessing system memory:
    • Flat memory model: presents all system memory as a contiguous address space. All instructions, data, and the stack are contained in the same address space. Each memory location is accessed by a specific address, called a linear address.
    • Segmented memory model: divides the system memory into groups of independent segments, referenced by pointers located in the segment registers. Each segment is used to contain a specific type of data. One segment is used to contain instruction codes, another data elements, and a third the program stack.
    • Real-address mode