from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
System Management Mode
SMM
<hardware> (SMM) A reduced power consumption state provided by
some {Intel} {microprocessors}. When a {CPU} enters SMM it
saves its current state in a special area of {static RAM}
called SMRAM (System Management {RAM}) and then runs a
program, also stored in SMRAM, the SMM handler.
SMM is implemented in all {Intel} "SL" suffixed CPUs. In June
1993, Intel announced it was discontinuing its SL range and
instead making all its current processors SL enhanced.
See also {Auto Idle}.
(1994-11-09)