SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING MEMORY OVERHEAD OF A PAGE TABLE IN A DYNAMIC LOGICAL PARTITIONING ENVIRONMENT
First Claim
1. A method, in a data processing system, for virtualizing access to a main memory, comprising:
- allocating portions of the main memory to a plurality of logical partitions in the data processing system;
generating a single shared page table having a plurality of page table entries, wherein the plurality of page table entries comprises page table entries for accessing each of the portions of the main memory allocated to each of the logical partitions in the plurality of logical partitions; and
utilizing the single shared page table to access the portions of the main memory.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for reducing memory overhead of a page table in a dynamic logical partitioning (LPAR) environment are provided. Each LPAR, upon its creation, is allowed to declare any maximum main memory size for the LPAR as long as the aggregate maximum main memory size for all LPARs does not exceed the total amount of available main memory. A single page table is used for all of the LPARs. Thus, the only page table in the computing system is shared by all LPARs and every memory access operation from any LPAR must go through the same page table for address translation. As a result, since only one page table is utilized, and the aggregate size of the main memory apportioned to each of the LPARs is limited to the size of the main memory, the size of the page table cannot exceed the size of the main memory.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method, in a data processing system, for virtualizing access to a main memory, comprising:
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allocating portions of the main memory to a plurality of logical partitions in the data processing system; generating a single shared page table having a plurality of page table entries, wherein the plurality of page table entries comprises page table entries for accessing each of the portions of the main memory allocated to each of the logical partitions in the plurality of logical partitions; and utilizing the single shared page table to access the portions of the main memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program, when executed on a computing device, causes the computing device to:
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allocate portions of the main memory to a plurality of logical partitions in the data processing system; generate a single shared page table having a plurality of page table entries, wherein the plurality of page table entries comprises page table entries for accessing each of the portions of the main memory allocated to each of the logical partitions in the plurality of logical partitions; and utilize the single shared page table to access the portions of the main memory. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus, comprising:
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a processor; and a main memory coupled to the processor, wherein the main memory comprises instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to; allocate portions of the main memory to a plurality of logical partitions in the data processing system; generate a single shared page table having a plurality of page table entries, wherein the plurality of page table entries comprises page table entries for accessing each of the portions of the main memory allocated to each of the logical partitions in the plurality of logical partitions; and utilize the single shared page table to access the portions of the main memory.
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Specification