IBM 86884RX Installation Guide - Page 22

EFI System Partition, System Partition

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GPT disk as having a single encompassing (possibly unrecognized) partition, rather than mistaking the disk for one that is unpartitioned. That is why GPT-partitioned disk appears to have MBR. Note: GPT disks can be converted to MBR disks and vice versa only if all existing partitioning is first deleted, with associated loss of data. In general, the structure of any GPT disk is as shown in Figure 1-4. The protective MBR is followed by a theoretically unlimited number of data partitions. Protective MBR Data partition(s) Figure 1-4 General GPT disk structure Note: Currently, only 64-bit operating systems have the ability to read, write, and boot from GPT disks. 32-bit operating systems do not have built-in support for GPT disks. The specification for GPT disk partitioning can be found in Chapter 16 of the Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) specification. This document is available at: http://developer.intel.com/technology/efi/download.htm 1.3.2 EFI System Partition A special partition on the GPT disk is EFI System Partition (ESP). It contains the OS loader files of all installed operating systems. These files are stored in the EFI directory. The ESP may also contain other files necessary to boot the system, such as drivers. Note: The EFI System Partition is shareable among all installed operating systems. To support multiple operating system installations, create multiple data partitions. 8 IBM ^ xSeries 450 Planning and Installation Guide

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8
IBM
^
xSeries 450 Planning and Installation Guide
GPT disk as having a single encompassing (possibly unrecognized) partition,
rather than mistaking the disk for one that is unpartitioned. That is why
GPT-partitioned disk appears to have MBR.
In general, the structure of any GPT disk is as shown in Figure 1-4. The
protective MBR is followed by a theoretically unlimited number of data partitions.
Figure 1-4
General GPT disk structure
The specification for GPT disk partitioning can be found in Chapter 16 of the
Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) specification. This document is available at:
1.3.2
EFI System Partition
A special partition on the GPT disk is
EFI
System Partition
(ESP). It contains the
OS loader files of all installed operating systems. These files are stored in the
EFI directory. The ESP may also contain other files necessary to boot the
system, such as drivers.
Note:
GPT disks can be converted to MBR disks and vice versa only if all
existing partitioning is first deleted, with associated loss of data.
Note:
Currently, only 64-bit operating systems have the ability to read, write,
and boot from GPT disks. 32-bit operating systems do not have built-in
support for GPT disks.
Protective
MBR
Data partition(s)
Note:
The EFI System Partition is shareable among all installed operating
systems. To support multiple operating system installations, create multiple
data partitions.