[Info-vax] Intel proposal to simplify x86-64

[Arne Vajhøj]

On 6/3/2023 9:57 AM, John Dallman wrote:
> Intel are considering a simplification of x86-64, removing the 16-bit and
> 32-bit modes, and changing the booting process, but retaining the ability
> to run 32-bit applications under a 64-bit OS.
> 
> <https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/developer/articles/technical/envi
> sioning-future-simplified-architecture.html>
> 
> Ring 0 will no longer be available to 32-bit code, and rings 1 and 2 will
> no longer be available at all. I don't know much about how VMS on x86-64
> emulates the four ring-equivalents that were available on VAX, Alpha and
> Itanium, but it seemed worth raising the issue, while Intel are taking
> comments on the plan.

I am not an expert on such matters but it is my impression that:
- Intel only want to change 32 bit stuff
- VMS x86-64 does not use any 32 bit stuff

Arne