Memory map
In computer science, a memory map is a structure of data that indicates how memory is laid out. The term "memory map" can have different meanings in different contexts.
- It is the fastest and most flexible cache organization that uses an associative memory. The associative memory stores both the address and content of the memory word.
- In the boot process, a memory map is passed on from the firmware in order to instruct an operating system kernel about memory layout. It contains the information regarding the size of total memory, any reserved regions and may also provide other details specific to the architecture.
- In virtual memory implementations and memory management units, a memory map refers to page tables, which store the mapping between a certain process's virtual memory layout and how that space relates to physical memory addresses.
- In native debugger programs, a memory map refers to the mapping between loaded executable/library files and memory regions. These memory maps are used to resolve memory addresses to actual symbols.
BIOS Memory map
BIOS Function: INT 0x15, AX=0xE801 ':
This BIOS interrupt call is used by the running OS to get the memory size for 64MB+ configurations. It is supported by AMI BIOSses dated August 23, 1994 or later. The operating system just sets AX to 0xE801 then calls int 0x15. If some error has happened, the routine returns with CF set to 1. If no error, the routine returns with CF clear and the state of registers is described as following:
| Register | Value Description |
| EAX | Extended memory between 1M and 16M, in KB.. |
| EBX | Count of 64K blocks above 16M. |
| ECX | Configured memory 1M to 16M, in KB. |
| EDX | Count of configured 64K blocks above 16M. |
BIOS Function: INT 0x15, AX=0xE820 - GET SYSTEM MEMORY MAP ':
Input:
| Register | Value Description |
| EAX | 0x0000E820 |
| EBX | Continuation value or 0x0 to start at beginning of map. |
| ECX | Size of buffer for result. |
| EDX | 0x534D4150 |
| ES:DI | segment:offset location of the buffer for result. |
SMAP buffer structure:
| Offset | Size | Value Description |
| 0 | QWORD | Base address of memory map region referred to by EBX. |
| 8 | QWORD | Length in bytes. |
| 16 | DWORD | Type of address range. |
How used: The operating system shall allocate an SMAP buffer in memory. Then set registers as specified in "Input" table. On first call, EBX should be set to 0. Next step is to call INT 0x15. If no error, the interrupt call returns with CF clear and the buffer filled with data representing first region of the memory map. EBX is updated by BIOS so that when the OS calls the routine again, The next region is returned in the buffer. BIOS sets EBX to zero if all done.