Systems and methods for initializing multiple virtual processors within a single virtual machine

• US 20060005188A1
• Filed: 06/30/2004
• Published: 01/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Traut, Eric P., Vega, Rene Antonio, Neil, Mike
• Granted Patent: US 8,271,976 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 718/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/45533 Hypervisors; Virtual machine monitors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5077 Logical partitioning of resources; Management or configuration of virtualized resources specific details on emulation or internal functioning of virtual machines G06F9/455

Abstract

The present invention is a system for and method of initializing multiple virtual processors in a virtual machine (VM) environment. The method of initializing multiple virtual processors includes the steps of the host creating a multiple processor VM and activating a “starter virtual processor,” the “starter virtual processor” issuing a startup command to a next virtual processor, the virtual machine monitor (VMM) giving the target virtual processor the highest priority for accessing the hardware resources, the VMM forcing the “starter virtual processor” to relinquish control of the hardware resources, the VMM handing control of the hardware resources to the target virtual processor, the target virtual processor executing and completing its startup routine, the VMM forcing the target virtual processor to relinquish control of the hardware resources, and the VMM handing control of the hardware resources back to the “starter virtual processor” for activating subsequent virtual processors.

Claims

1. A method for starting a virtual processor in a virtual machine environment, said virtual machine environment comprising a guest operating system executing on a first virtual processor corresponding to a first thread of execution, said method comprising:

issuing a startup command to a second virtual processor corresponding to a second thread of execution;

providing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution with the highest priority for utilizing hardware resources;

said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution completing a startup.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising, after said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution completing a startup, providing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution with a priority other than the highest priority for utilizing hardware resources.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising forcing said first virtual processor and its corresponding first thread of execution to relinquish control of at least one hardware resource and providing control to same to said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising forcing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution to relinquish control of at least one hardware resource and providing control to same to said first virtual processor and its corresponding first thread of execution.

5. A method for starting a virtual processor in a virtual machine environment, said virtual machine environment comprising a guest operating system executing on a virtual machine emulated by a virtual machine monitor, said virtual machine comprising a plurality of virtual processors which are implemented as separate threads of execution, said guest operating system comprising a subsystem (e.g., BIOS) for issuing a command to start a processor, said method comprising:

said guest operating system, executing on a first virtual processor corresponding to a first thread of execution, issuing a startup command via said first virtual processor to a second virtual processor corresponding to a second thread of execution;

said virtual machine monitor providing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution with the highest priority for utilizing hardware resources, thereby preventing said first thread of execution corresponding to said operating system from continuing execution and thus preventing a timeout corresponding to said startup command;

said virtual machine monitor forcing said first virtual processor and its corresponding first thread of execution to relinquish control of a set of all hardware resources and providing control to same to said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution;

said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution completing a startup;

said virtual machine monitor providing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution with a priority other than the highest priority for utilizing hardware resources; and

said virtual machine monitor forcing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution to relinquish control of said set of all hardware resources and providing control to same to said first virtual processor and its corresponding first thread of execution.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said virtual machine monitor is a component part of a host operating system.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein said first thread of execution and said second thread of execution are both executed on a first physical processor.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein said first thread of execution is executed on a first physical processor, and said second thread of execution is executed on a second physical processor, said method further comprising:

suspending execution of said first operating system substantially concurrent with the element of providing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution with the highest priority for utilizing hardware resources; and

continuing execution of said second operating system substantially concurrent with the element of said virtual machine monitor providing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution with a priority other than the highest priority for utilizing hardware resources.

9. A system for starting a virtual processor in a virtual machine environment, said virtual machine environment comprising a guest operating system executing on a first virtual processor corresponding to a first thread of execution, said system comprising at least one subsystem for:

issuing a startup command to a second virtual processor corresponding to a second thread of execution;

providing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution with the highest priority for utilizing hardware resources;

said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution completing a startup.

10. The system of claim 9 further comprising at least one subsystem for, after said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution completing a startup, providing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution with a priority other than the highest priority for utilizing hardware resources.

11. The system of claim 9 further comprising at least one subsystem for forcing said first virtual processor and its corresponding first thread of execution to relinquish control of at least one hardware resource and providing control to same to said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution.

12. The system of claim 9 further comprising at least one subsystem for forcing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution to relinquish control of at least one hardware resource and providing control to same to said first virtual processor and its corresponding first thread of execution.

13. A system for starting a virtual processor in a virtual machine environment, said virtual machine environment comprising a guest operating system executing on a virtual machine emulated by a virtual machine monitor, said virtual machine comprising a plurality of virtual processors which are implemented as separate threads of execution, said guest operating system comprising a subsystem (e.g., BIOS) for issuing a command to start a processor, said system comprising at least one subsystem for:

said guest operating system, executing on a first virtual processor corresponding to a first thread of execution, issuing a startup command via said first virtual processor to a second virtual processor corresponding to a second thread of execution;

said virtual machine monitor providing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution with the highest priority for utilizing hardware resources, thereby preventing said first thread of execution corresponding to said operating system from continuing execution and thus preventing a timeout corresponding to said startup command;

said virtual machine monitor forcing said first virtual processor and its corresponding first thread of execution to relinquish control of a set of all hardware resources and providing control to same to said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution;

said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution completing a startup;

said virtual machine monitor providing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution with a priority other than the highest priority for utilizing hardware resources; and

said virtual machine monitor forcing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution to relinquish control of said set of all hardware resources and providing control to same to said first virtual processor and its corresponding first thread of execution.

14. The system of claim 13 further comprising at least one subsystem whereby said virtual machine monitor is a component part of a host operating system.

15. The system of claim 13 further comprising at least one subsystem whereby said first thread of execution and said second thread of execution are both executed on a first physical processor.

16. The system of claim 13 further comprising at least one subsystem whereby said first thread of execution is executed on a first physical processor, and said second thread of execution is executed on a second physical processor, and further comprising at least one subsystem for:

suspending execution of said first operating system substantially concurrent with the element of providing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution with the highest priority for utilizing hardware resources; and

continuing execution of said second operating system substantially concurrent with the element of said virtual machine monitor providing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution with a priority other than the highest priority for utilizing hardware resources.

17. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-readable instructions for starting a virtual processor in a virtual machine environment, said virtual machine environment comprising a guest operating system executing on a first virtual processor corresponding to a first thread of execution, said computer-readable instructions comprising instructions for:

issuing a startup command to a second virtual processor corresponding to a second thread of execution;

providing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution with the highest priority for utilizing hardware resources;

said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution completing a startup.

18. The computer-readable instructions of claim 17 further comprising instructions for, after said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution completing a startup, providing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution with a priority other than the highest priority for utilizing hardware resources.

19. The computer-readable instructions of claim 17 further comprising instructions for forcing said first virtual processor and its corresponding first thread of execution to relinquish control of at least one hardware resource and providing control to same to said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution.

20. The computer-readable instructions of claim 17 further comprising instructions for forcing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution to relinquish control of at least one hardware resource and providing control to same to said first virtual processor and its corresponding first thread of execution.

21. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-readable instructions for starting a virtual processor in a virtual machine environment, said virtual machine environment comprising a guest operating system executing on a virtual machine emulated by a virtual machine monitor, said virtual machine comprising a plurality of virtual processors which are implemented as separate threads of execution, said guest operating system comprising a subsystem (e.g., BIOS) for issuing a command to start a processor, said computer-readable instructions comprising instructions for:

said guest operating system, executing on a first virtual processor corresponding to a first thread of execution, issuing a startup command via said first virtual processor to a second virtual processor corresponding to a second thread of execution;

said virtual machine monitor providing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution with the highest priority for utilizing hardware resources, thereby preventing said first thread of execution corresponding to said operating system from continuing execution and thus preventing a timeout corresponding to said startup command;

said virtual machine monitor forcing said first virtual processor and its corresponding first thread of execution to relinquish control of a set of all hardware resources and providing control to same to said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution;

said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution completing a startup;

said virtual machine monitor providing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution with a priority other than the highest priority for utilizing hardware resources; and

said virtual machine monitor forcing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution to relinquish control of said set of all hardware resources and providing control to same to said first virtual processor and its corresponding first thread of execution.

22. The computer-readable instructions of claim 21 further comprising instructions whereby said virtual machine monitor is a component part of a host operating system.

23. The computer-readable instructions of claim 21 further comprising instructions whereby said first thread of execution and said second thread of execution are both executed on a first physical processor.

24. The computer-readable instructions of claim 21 further comprising instructions whereby said first thread of execution is executed on a first physical processor, and said second thread of execution is executed on a second physical processor, and further comprising instructions for:

suspending execution of said first operating system substantially concurrent with the element of providing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution with the highest priority for utilizing hardware resources; and

continuing execution of said second operating system substantially concurrent with the element of said virtual machine monitor providing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution with a priority other than the highest priority for utilizing hardware resources.

25. A hardware control device for starting a virtual processor in a virtual machine environment, said virtual machine environment comprising a guest operating system executing on a first virtual processor corresponding to a first thread of execution, said hardware control device comprising means for:

issuing a startup command to a second virtual processor corresponding to a second thread of execution;

providing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution with the highest priority for utilizing hardware resources;

said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution completing a startup.

26. The hardware control device of claim 25 further comprising means for, after said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution completing a startup, providing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution with a priority other than the highest priority for utilizing hardware resources.

27. The hardware control device of claim 25 further comprising means for forcing said first virtual processor and its corresponding first thread of execution to relinquish control of at least one hardware resource and providing control to same to said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution.

28. The hardware control device of claim 25 further comprising means for forcing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution to relinquish control of at least one hardware resource and providing control to same to said first virtual processor and its corresponding first thread of execution.

29. A hardware control device for starting a virtual processor in a virtual machine environment, said virtual machine environment comprising a guest operating system executing on a virtual machine emulated by a virtual machine monitor, said virtual machine comprising a plurality of virtual processors which are implemented as separate threads of execution, said guest operating system comprising a subsystem (e.g., BIOS) for issuing a command to start a processor, said hardware control device comprising means for:

said guest operating system, executing on a first virtual processor corresponding to a first thread of execution, issuing a startup command via said first virtual processor to a second virtual processor corresponding to a second thread of execution;

said virtual machine monitor providing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution with the highest priority for utilizing hardware resources, thereby preventing said first thread of execution corresponding to said operating system from continuing execution and thus preventing a timeout corresponding to said startup command;

said virtual machine monitor forcing said first virtual processor and its corresponding first thread of execution to relinquish control of a set of all hardware resources and providing control to same to said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution;

said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution completing a startup;

said virtual machine monitor providing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution with a priority other than the highest priority for utilizing hardware resources; and

said virtual machine monitor forcing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution to relinquish control of said set of all hardware resources and providing control to same to said first virtual processor and its corresponding first thread of execution.

30. The hardware control device of claim 29 further comprising means whereby said virtual machine monitor is a component part of a host operating system.

31. The hardware control device of claim 29 further comprising means whereby said first thread of execution and said second thread of execution are both executed on a first physical processor.

32. The hardware control device of claim 29 further comprising means whereby said first thread of execution is executed on a first physical processor, and said second thread of execution is executed on a second physical processor, said further comprising means for:

suspending execution of said first operating system substantially concurrent with the element of providing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution with the highest priority for utilizing hardware resources; and

continuing execution of said second operating system substantially concurrent with the element of said virtual machine monitor providing said second virtual processor and its corresponding second thread of execution with a priority other than the highest priority for utilizing hardware resources.