System Management Mode


System Management Mode

(hardware)(SMM) A reduced power consumption state provided bysome Intel microprocessors. When a CPU enters SMM itsaves its current state in a special area of static RAMcalled SMRAM (System Management RAM) and then runs aprogram, also stored in SMRAM, the SMM handler.

SMM is implemented in all Intel "SL" suffixed CPUs. In June1993, Intel announced it was discontinuing its SL range andinstead making all its current processors SL enhanced.

See also Auto Idle.