Method and apparatus for management of mapped and unmapped regions of memory in a microkernel data processing system

• US 5,729,710 A
• Filed: 06/22/1994
• Issued: 03/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Rawson, Freeman Leigh III, Magee, James Michael, Sotomayor, Guy Gil Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lane, Jack A.
• Application Number:
  US08/263,710
• Time in Patent Office: 1,364 Days
• Field of Search: 395/497.01, 395/413, 395/600, 395/650, 395/611, 395/614, 395/674
• US Class Current: 711/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/1036 for multiple virtual address spaces, e.g. segmentation G06F12/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/109 for multiple virtual address spaces, e.g. segmentation G06F12/1036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/126 with special data handling, e.g. priority of data or instructions, handling errors or pinning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/145 the protection being virtual, e.g. for virtual blocks or segments before a translation mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2211/009 Trust
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2212/656 Address space sharing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2212/657 Virtual address space management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/544 Buffers; Shared memory; Pipes

Abstract

A memory management method for a microkernel architecture and the microkernel itself feature template regions which are defined by the microkernel in the memory, as special objects. In the memory management method, after the microkernel is loaded into the memory of a data processing system, it begins creating task containers in the memory. It does this by forming template regions as special objects in the memory, the template regions having a set of attributes. Then, when the microkernel forms a task in the memory, it does so by mapping the template region into the task. The microkernel defines a virtual address space for the task based upon the template region. Later, when the microkernel conducts virtual memory operations on the template regions, the effect of the virtual memory operations is manifested in the task by means of the mapping relationship. In this manner, a single template region can be mapped into multiple tasks, simultaneously. By directing virtual memory operations to the template region on which they will take effect, the sharing of the virtual memory operations is much easier to accomplish since the changes are made to a template region, not to the mapping of the template region within each task.

Claims

1. A memory management method for a microkernel architecture data processing system, comprising the steps of:

loading a microkernel into a memory of a data processing system, for creating task containers in said memory;

forming with said microkernel a template region as a special object in said memory, said template region having a set of attributes defining a virtual address space and having a template pointer to a memory object;

forming with said microkernel a task container in said memory having said set of attributes and having a task pointer to said template region, by means of mapping said template region into said task container;

said template pointer and said task pointer establishing a first relationship between said task container and said memory object;

performing virtual memory operations on said template region to modify said template pointer to said memory object, thereby establishing a second relationship between said task container and said memory object.

2. The memory management method for a microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 1, wherein said memory object is a map of virtual addresses to physical addresses in said memory, and includes a first address translation to a first memory object and a second address translation to a second memory object, the method further comprising:

said template pointer pointing to said first address translation prior to said virtual memory operations, and establishing said first relationship between said task container and said first memory object;

said template pointer pointing to said second address translation after said memory operations, and establishing said second relationship between said task container and said second memory object.

3. The memory management method for a microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 1, wherein said memory object is a second template region, the method further comprising:

said template pointer pointing to said second template prior to said memory operations, and establishing said first relationship between said task container and said second template;

said template pointer pointing to a third template region after said memory operations, and establishing said second relationship.

4. The memory management method for a microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 1, wherein said step of forming a task container in said memory, further comprises the steps of:

forming with said microkernel a port name space in said memory for said task container, for use as a communication channel;

defining with said microkernel, access rights for said port name space of said task container, using said set of attributes of said template region.

5. The memory management method for a microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 1, wherein said step of forming a task container in said memory, further comprises the steps of:

forming with said microkernel a thread object in said memory for said task container, for fetching instructions from said address space of said task container.

6. The memory management method for a microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 1, wherein said template region includes a base region and a user region, said step of forming a template region in said memory, further comprising the steps of:

forming with said microkernel a template base region as a special object in said memory, said template base region having a set of base attributes;

forming with said microkernel a template user region as a special object in said memory, said template user region having a set of user attributes;

said step of forming a task container in said memory, further comprising the steps of;

forming with said microkernel a task base container in said memory having a base virtual address space and said set of base attributes, and having a task base pointer to said template base region, by means of mapping said template base region into said task base container;

forming with said microkernel a task user container in said memory having a user virtual address space and said set of user attributes, and having a task user pointer to said template user region, by means of mapping said template user region into said task user container; and

performing virtual memory operations on said template base region;

said virtual memory operations operative in said task base container by means of said task base pointer.

7. The memory management method for a microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 5, which further comprises:

performing virtual memory operations on said template user region,

said virtual memory operations operative in said task user container by means of said task user pointer.

8. The memory management method for a microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 6, wherein said step of forming a task base container in said memory, further comprises the steps of:

forming with said microkernel a port name space in said memory for said task base container, for use as a communication channel;

defining with said microkernel, access rights for said port name space of said task base container, using said set of base attributes of said template base region.

9. The memory management method for a microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 6, wherein said step of forming a task base container in said memory, further comprises the steps of:

forming with said microkernel a thread object in said memory for said task base container, for fetching instructions from said address space of said task base container.

10. A memory management method for a microkernel architecture data processing system, comprising the steps of:

loading a microkernel into in a memory of the data processing system, for creating task containers in said memory;

forming with said microkernel a template base region as a special object in said memory, said template base region having a first size and a first set of attributes;

forming with said microkernel a task base container in said memory having said first size and said first set of attributes, by mapping said template base region into said task base container;

forming with said microkernel a template user region as a special object in said memory, said template user region having a second size and a second set of attributes;

forming with said microkernel a task user container within said task base container in said memory, having said second size and said second set of attributes, by mapping said template user region into said task user container at a location within said task base container;

performing virtual memory operations on said template base region;

said virtual memory operations operative in said task base container by means of said mapping.

11. A microkernel architecture data processing system, comprising:

a microkernel in a memory of the data processing system, for creating task containers in said memory;

a template region as a special object in said memory, said template region having a set of attributes defining a virtual address space and having a template pointer to a memory object;

a task container in said memory having said set of attributes and having a task pointer to said template region, formed by means of mapping said template region into said task container;

said template pointer and said task pointer establishing a first relationship between said task container and said memory object;

means for performing virtual memory operations on said template region to modify said template pointer to said memory object, thereby establishing a second relationship between said task container and said memory object.

12. The microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 11, that further comprises:

said memory object is a map of virtual addresses to physical addresses in said memory, and includes a first address translation to a first memory object and a second address translation to a second memory object;

said template pointer pointing to said first address translation prior to said memory operations, and establishing said first relationship between said task container and said first memory object;

said template pointer pointing to said second address translation after said memory operations, and establishing said second relationship between said task container and said second memory object.

13. The microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 11, wherein said memory object is a second template region, further comprising:

said template pointer pointing to said second template prior to said memory operations, and establishing said first relationship between said task container and said second template;

said template pointer pointing to a third template region after said memory operations, and establishing said second relationship.

14. The microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 11, wherein said task container in said memory, further comprises:

a port name space in said memory for said task container, for use as a communication channel, having access rights for said port name space of said task container, defined using said set of attributes of said template region.

15. The microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 11, wherein said task container in said memory, further comprises:

a thread object in said memory for said task container, for fetching instructions from said address space of said task container.

16. A method of running a selected, operating system personality program in a microkernel architecture data processing system, comprising the steps of:

loading a microkernel into a memory of a data processing system, for creating task containers in said memory;

loading a selected, operating system personality program into said memory of said data processing system;

sending a call to said microkernel from said selected, operating system personality program, to form a template region as a special object in said memory, said template region having a set of attributes defining a virtual address space and having a template pointer to a memory object;

forming with said microkernel a task container in said memory having said set of attributes and having a task pointer to said template region, by means of mapping said template region into said task container, said template pointer and said task pointer establishing a first relationship between said task container and said memory object;

performing virtual memory operations on said template region to modify said template pointer to said memory object, thereby establishing a second relationship between said task container and said memory object.

17. The method of running a selected, operating system personality program for a microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 16, wherein said memory object is a map of virtual addresses to physical addresses in said memory, and includes a first address translation to a first memory object and a second address translation to a second memory object, the method further comprising:

said template pointer pointing to said first address translation prior to said memory operations, and establishing said first relationship between said task container and said first memory object;

said template pointer pointing to said second address translation after said memory operations, and establishing said second relationship between said task container and said second memory object.

18. The method of running a selected, operating system personality program for a microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 16, wherein said memory object is a second template region, the method further comprising:

said template pointer pointing to said second template prior to said memory operations, and establishing said first relationship between said task container and said second template;

said template pointer pointing to a third template region after said memory operations, and establishing said second relationship.

19. The method of running a selected, operating system personality program for a microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 16, wherein said step of forming a task container further comprises the step of:

sending a second call to said microkernel from said selected, operating system personality program, to form a task container in said memory having said set of attributes and having a task pointer to said template region, by means of mapping said template region into said task container.

20. A microkernel architecture data processing system, comprising:

a microkernel in a memory of the data processing system, for creating task containers in said memory;

a selected operating system personality program in said memory of said data processing system, for sending a call to said microkernel to form a template region as a special object in said memory;

a template region in said memory formed in response to said call, said template region having a set of attributes defining a virtual address space and having a template pointer to a memory object;

a task container in said memory having said set of attributes and having a task pointer to said template region, formed by means of mapping said template region into said task container;

said template pointer and said task pointer establishing a first relationship between said task container and said memory object;

means for performing virtual memory operations on said template region to modify said template pointer to said memory object, thereby establishing a second relationship between said task container and said memory object.

21. A method of running a personality-neutral services program in a microkernel architecture data processing system, comprising the steps of:

loading a microkernel into a memory of a data processing system, for creating task containers in said memory;

loading a personality-neutral services program into said memory of said data processing system;

sending a call to said microkernel from said personality-neutral services program, to form a template region as a special object in said memory, said template region having a set of attributes defining a virtual address space and having a template pointer to a memory object;

forming with said microkernel a task container in said memory having said set of attributes and having a task pointer to said template region, by means of mapping said template region into said task container;

said template pointer and said task pointer establishing a first relationship between said task container and said memory object;

performing virtual memory operations on said template region to modify said template pointer to said memory object, thereby establishing a second relationship between said task container and said memory object.

22. The method of running a personality-neutral services program for a microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 21, wherein said memory object is a map of virtual addresses to physical addresses in said memory, and includes a first address translation to a first memory object and a second address translation to a second memory object, the method further comprising:

said template pointer pointing to said first address translation prior to said memory operations, and establishing said first relationship between said task container and said first memory object;

said template pointer pointing to said second address translation after said memory operations, and establishing said second relationship between said task container and said second memory object.

23. The method of running a personality-neutral services program for a microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 21, wherein said memory object is a second template region, the method further comprising:

said template pointer pointing to said second template prior to said memory operations, and establishing said first relationship between said task container and said second template;

said template pointer pointing to a third template region after said memory operations, and establishing said second relationship.

24. The method of running a personality-neutral services program for a microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 21, wherein said step of forming a task container further comprises the step of:

sending a second call to said microkernel from said personality-neutral services program, to form a task container in said memory having said set of attributes and having a task pointer to said template region, by means of mapping said template region into said task container.

25. A microkernel architecture data processing system, comprising:

a microkernel in a memory of the data processing system, for creating task containers in said memory;

a personality-neutral services program in said memory of said data processing system, for sending a call to said microkernel to form a template region as a special object in said memory;

a template region in said memory formed in response to said call, said template region having a set of attributes defining a virtual address space and having a template pointer to a memory object;

a task container in said memory having said set of attributes and having a task pointer to said template region, formed by means of mapping said template region into said task container;

said template pointer and said task pointer establishing a first relationship between said task container and said memory object;

means for performing virtual memory operations on said template region to modify said template pointer to said memory object, thereby establishing a second relationship between said task container and said memory object.

26. A method of running an application program in a microkernel architecture data processing system, comprising the steps of:

loading a microkernel into a memory of a data processing system, 4 for creating task containers in said memory;

loading an application program into said memory of said data processing system;

sending a call to said microkernel from said application program, to form a template region as a special object in said memory, said template region having a set of attributes defining a virtual address space and having a template pointer to a memory object;

forming with said microkernel a task container in said memory having said set of attributes and having a task pointer to said template region, by means of mapping said template region into said task container;

said template pointer and said task pointer establishing a first relationship between said task container and said memory object;

performing virtual memory operations on said template region to modify said template pointer to said memory object, thereby establishing a second relationship between said task container and said memory object.

27. The method of running an application program for a microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 26, wherein said memory object is a map of virtual addresses to physical addresses in said memory, and includes a first address translation to a first memory object and a second address translation to a second memory object, the method further comprising:

said template pointer pointing to said first address translation prior to said memory operations, and establishing said first relationship between said task container and said first memory object;

said template pointer pointing to said second address translation after said memory operations, and establishing said second relationship between said task container and said second memory object.

28. The method of running an application program for a microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 26, wherein said memory object is a second template region, the method further comprising:

said template pointer pointing to said second template prior to said memory operations, and establishing said first relationship between said task container and said second template;

said template pointer pointing to a third template region after said memory operations, and establishing said second relationship.

29. The method of running an application program for a microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 26, wherein said step of forming a task container further comprises the step of:

sending a second call to said microkernel from said application program, to form a task container in said memory having said set of attributes and having a task pointer to said template region, by means of mapping said template region into said task container.

30. A microkernel architecture data processing system, comprising:

a microkernel in a memory of the data processing system, for creating task containers in said memory;

an application program in said memory of said data processing system, for sending a call to said microkernel to form a template region as a special object in said memory;

a template region in said memory formed in response to said call, said template region having a set of attributes defining a virtual address space and having a template pointer to a memory object;

a task container in said memory having said set of attributes and having a task pointer to said template region, formed by means of mapping said template region into said task container;

said template pointer and said task pointer establishing a first relationship between said task container and said memory object;

means for performing virtual memory operations on said template region to modify said template pointer to said memory object, thereby establishing a second relationship between said task container and said memory object.

31. A microkernel architecture data processing system, comprising:

an auxiliary storage means for storing programmed instructions;

a memory means coupled to said auxiliary storage means, for storing a cache object, said auxiliary storage means paging into said cache object said programmed instructions;

a template region in said memory means, said template region having a set of attributes defining a virtual address space and having a template pointer toward said cache object;

a microkernel means in said memory means, for creating tasks in said memory means;

a task in said memory means having said set of attributes and having a task pointer to said template region, formed by means of said microkernel means mapping said template region into said task;

said template pointer and said task pointer establishing a first relationship between said task and said cache object;

a processor means coupled to said memory means, for executing said programmed instructions;

a thread object in said memory means associated with said task, for fetching said programmed instructions from said cache object using said first relationship, for execution in said processor means;

means for performing virtual memory operations on said template region to modify said template pointer toward said cache object, thereby changing the relationship between said task and said cache object.

32. The microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 31, that further comprises:

a map of virtual addresses to physical addresses in said memory means, said map being pointed to by said template pointer, said map including a first address translation to said cache object and a second address translation to a second memory object;

said template pointer pointing to said first address translation prior to said memory operations, and establishing said first relationship between said task and said cache object;

said template pointer pointing to said second address translation after said memory operations, and establishing a second relationship between said task and said second memory object.

33. The microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 31, that further comprises:

an operating system personality program means in said memory means, for sending a call to said microkernel means to form said template region as a special object in said memory means.

34. The microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 33, that further comprises:

said operating system personality program means in said memory means, sending a call to said microkernel means to form said task in said memory means.

35. The microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 31, that further comprises:

a personality-neutral services program means in said memory means, sending a call to said microkernel means to form said template region as a special object in said memory means.

36. The microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 35, that further comprises:

said personality-neutral services program means in said memory means, for sending a call to said microkernel means to form said task in said memory means.

37. The microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 31, that further comprises:

an application program means in said memory means, for sending a call to said microkernel means to form said template region as a special object in said memory means.

38. The microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 37, that further comprises:

said application program means in said memory means, for sending a call to said microkernel means to form said task in said memory means.

39. A microkernel architecture data processing system, comprising:

a memory means, for storing a cache object containing programmed instructions;

a template region in said memory means, having a set of attributes and having a template pointer toward said cache object;

a microkernel means in said memory means, for creating tasks in said memory means by mapping said template region into a task;

a task in said memory means formed by said microkernel means, having said set of attributes and having a task pointer to said template region;

said template pointer and said task pointer establishing a first relationship between said task and said cache object;

a processor means coupled to said memory means, for executing said programmed instructions;

a thread in said memory means associated with said task, for fetching said programmed instructions from said cache object using said first relationship, for execution in said processor means.

40. The microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 39, that further comprises:

an operating system personality program means in said memory means, for sending a call to said microkernel means to form said template region as a special object in said memory means.

41. The microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 39, that further comprises:

an operating system personality program means in said memory means, sending a call to said microkernel means to form said task in said memory means.

42. The microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 39, that further comprises:

a personality-neutral services program means in said memory means, sending a call to said microkernel means to form said template region as a special object in said memory means.

43. The microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 39, that further comprises:

a personality-neutral services program means in said memory means, for sending a call to said microkernel means to form said task in said memory means.

44. The microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 39, that further comprises:

an application program means in said memory means, for sending a call to said microkernel means to form said template region as a special object in said memory means.

45. The microkernel architecture data processing system of claim 39, that further comprises:

an application program means in said memory means, for sending a call to said microkernel means to form said task in said memory means.

46. A microkernel architecture data processing system, comprising:

an auxiliary storage means for storing programmed instructions;

a memory means coupled to said auxiliary storage means, for storing a cache object, said auxiliary storage means paging into said cache object said programmed instructions;

a template region in said memory means, having a set of attributes and having a template pointer toward said cache object;

a microkernel means in said memory means, for creating tasks in said memory means by mapping said template region into a task;

a task in said memory means formed by said microkernel means, having said set of attributes and having a task pointer to said template region;

said template pointer and said task pointer establishing a first relationship between said task and said cache object;

a processor means coupled to said memory means, for executing said programmed instructions;

a thread in said memory means associated with said task, for fetching said programmed instructions from said cache object using said first relationship, for execution in said processor means.

47. A microkernel architecture data processing system, comprising:

an auxiliary storage means for storing programmed instructions;

a memory means coupled to said auxiliary storage means, for storing a cache object, said auxiliary storage means paging into said cache object said programmed instructions;

a template region in said memory means, having a set of attributes and having a first template pointer and a second template pointer toward said cache object;

a microkernel means in said memory means, for creating tasks in said memory means by mapping said template region into a task;

a first task in said memory means formed by said microkernel means, having said set of attributes and having a first task pointer to said template region;

said first template pointer and said first task pointer establishing a first relationship between said first task and said cache object;

a first processor means coupled to said memory means, for executing said programmed instructions;

a first thread in said memory means associated with said first task, for fetching said programmed instructions from said cache object using said first relationship, for execution in said first processor means;

a second task in said memory means formed by said microkernel means, having said set of attributes and having a second task pointer to said template region;

said second template pointer and said second task pointer establishing a second relationship between said second task and said cache object;

a second processor means coupled to said memory means, for executing said programmed instructions;

a second thread in said memory means associated with said second task, for fetching said programmed instructions from said cache object using said second relationship, for execution in said second processor means.

48. A microkernel architecture data processing system, comprising:

an auxiliary storage means for storing programmed instructions;

a memory means coupled to said auxiliary storage means, for storing a cache object, said auxiliary storage means paging into said cache object said programmed instructions;

a template region in said memory means, having a set of attributes and having a template pointer toward said cache object;

a microkernel means in said memory means, for creating tasks in said memory means by mapping said template region into a task;

a first task in said memory means formed by said microkernel means, having said set of attributes and having a first task pointer to said template region;

a first template pointer and said task pointer establishing a relationship between said first task and said cache object;

a first processor means coupled to said memory means, for executing said programmed instructions;

a first thread in said memory means associated with said first task, for fetching said programmed instructions from said cache object using said relationship, for execution in said first processor means;

a second task in said memory means formed by said microkernel means, having said set of attributes and having a second task pointer to said template region;

said template pointer and said second task pointer establishing said relationship between said second task and said cache object;

a second processor means coupled to said memory means, for executing said programmed instructions;

a second thread in said memory means associated with said second task, for fetching said programmed instructions from said cache object using said relationship, for execution in said second processor means.

49. An article of manufacture for use in a computer system, comprising:

a computer useable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein for providing a memory management method for a microkernel architecture data processing system, the computer readable program code means in said article of manufacture comprising;

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to load a microkernel into a memory of a data processing system, for creating task containers in said memory;

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to form with said microkernel a template region as a special object in said memory, said template region having a set of attributes defining a virtual address space and having a template pointer to a memory object;

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to form with said microkernel a task container in said memory having said set of attributes and having a task pointer to said template region, by means of mapping said template region into said task container;

said template pointer and said task pointer establishing a first relationship between said task container and said memory object; and

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to perform virtual memory operations on said template region to modify said template pointer to said memory object, thereby establishing a second relationship between said task container and said memory object.

50. The article of manufacture for use in a computer system of claim 49, wherein said memory object is a map of virtual addresses to physical addresses in said memory, and includes a first address translation to a first memory object and a second address translation to a second memory object, the computer readable program code means in said article of manufacture further comprising:

said template pointer pointing to said first address translation prior to said memory operations, and establishing said first relationship between said task container and said first memory object;

said template pointer pointing to said second address translation after said memory operations, and establishing said second relationship between said task container and said second memory object.

51. The article of manufacture for use in a computer system of claim 49, wherein said memory object is a second template region, the computer readable program code means in said article of manufacture further comprising:

said template pointer pointing to said second template prior to said memory operations, and establishing said first relationship between said task container and said second template;

said template pointer pointing to a third template region after said memory operations, and establishing said second relationship.

52. The article of manufacture for use in a computer system of claim 49, wherein said computer readable program code means for causing a computer to form a task container in said memory, further comprises:

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to form with said microkernel a port name space in said memory for said task container, for use as a communication channel;

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to define with said microkernel, access rights for said port name space of said task container, using said set of attributes of said template region.

53. The article of manufacture for use in a computer system of claim 49, wherein said computer readable program code means for causing a computer to form a task container in said memory, further comprises:

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to form with said microkernel a thread object in said memory for said task container, for fetching instructions from said address space of said task container.

54. The article of manufacture for use in a computer system of claim 49, wherein said template region includes a base region and a user region, said computer readable program code means for causing a computer to form a template region in said memory, further comprising:

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to form with said microkernel a template base region as a special object in said memory, said template base region having a set of base attributes;

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to form with said microkernel a template user region as a special object in said memory, said template user region having a set of user attributes;

said computer readable program code means for causing a computer to form a task container in said memory, further comprising;

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to form with said microkernel a task base container in said memory having a base virtual address space and said set of base attributes, and having a task base pointer to said template base region, by means of mapping said template base region into said task base container;

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to form with said microkernel a task user container in said memory having a user virtual address space and said set of user attributes, and having a task user pointer to said template user region, by means of mapping said template user region into said task user container; and

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to perform virtual memory operations on said template base region, said virtual memory operations operative in said task base container by means of said task base pointer.

55. The article of manufacture for use in a computer system of claim 53, which further comprises:

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to perform virtual memory operations on said template user region, said virtual memory operations operative in said task user container by means of said task user pointer.

56. The article of manufacture for use in a computer system of claim 54, wherein said computer readable program code means for causing a computer to form a task base container in said memory, further comprises:

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to form with said microkernel a port name space in said memory for said task base container, for use as a communication channel;

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to define with said microkernel, access rights for said port name space of said task base container, using said set of base attributes of said template base region.

57. The article of manufacture for use in a computer system of claim 54, wherein said computer readable program code means for causing a computer to form a task base container in said memory, further comprises:

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to form with said microkernel a thread object in said memory for said task base container, for fetching instructions from said address space of said task base container.