System and method for controlling switching between VMM and VM using enabling value of VMM timer indicator and VMM timer value having a specified time
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
- receiving a request for a virtual machine (VM) entry, the VM entry request including a request for transitioning control from a virtual machine monitor (VMM) to a VM, the VMM having a timer configuration module including a VMM timer indicator;
determining whether the VMM timer indicator is set to an enabling value indicating the timer configuration module is enabled to, if necessary, gain control back from the VM during an operation at the VM;
if the VMM timer indicator is set to an enabling value,identifying a VMM timer value configured by the VMM prior to receiving the VM entry request, the VMM timer value representing a specific time at which the VMM is to receive the control back from the VM, andenabling the VMM timer using the VMM timer value, andtransitioning control to the VM;
if the VMM timer indicator is not set to an enabling value,transitioning control to the VM;
executing a VM exit by returning the control back to the VMM from the VM in response to an event relating to the VM exit occurring at the VM.
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Abstract
In one embodiment, a method includes transitioning control to a virtual machine (VM) from a virtual machine monitor (VMM), determining that a VMM timer indicator is set to an enabling value, and identifying a VMM timer value configured by the VMM. The method further includes periodically comparing a current value of a timing source with the VMM timer value, generating an internal event if the current value of the timing source has reached the VMM timer value, and transitioning control to the VMM in response to the internal event without incurring an event handling procedure in any one of the VMM and the VM.
245 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
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receiving a request for a virtual machine (VM) entry, the VM entry request including a request for transitioning control from a virtual machine monitor (VMM) to a VM, the VMM having a timer configuration module including a VMM timer indicator; determining whether the VMM timer indicator is set to an enabling value indicating the timer configuration module is enabled to, if necessary, gain control back from the VM during an operation at the VM; if the VMM timer indicator is set to an enabling value, identifying a VMM timer value configured by the VMM prior to receiving the VM entry request, the VMM timer value representing a specific time at which the VMM is to receive the control back from the VM, and enabling the VMM timer using the VMM timer value, and transitioning control to the VM; if the VMM timer indicator is not set to an enabling value, transitioning control to the VM; executing a VM exit by returning the control back to the VMM from the VM in response to an event relating to the VM exit occurring at the VM. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A machine-readable non-transitory storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed, cause a machine to:
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receive a request for a virtual machine (VM) entry, the VM entry request including a request for transitioning control from a virtual machine monitor (VMM) to a VM, the VMM having a timer configuration module including a VMM timer indicator; determine whether the VMM timer indicator is set to an enabling value indicating the timer configuration module is enabled to, if necessary, gain control back from the VM during an operation at the VM; if the VMM timer indicator is set to an enabling value, identify a VMM timer value configured by the VMM prior to receiving the VM entry request, the VMM timer value representing a specific time at which the VMM is to receive the control back from the VM, and enable the VMM timer using the VMM timer value, and transitioning control to the VM; if the VMM timer indicator is not set to an enabling value, transition control to the VM; execute a VM exit by returning the control back to the VMM from the VM in response to an event relating to the VM exit occurring at the VM. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer system comprising:
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a non-transitory storage medium having a virtual machine control structure (VMCS); and a processor coupled to the storage medium, the processor having a virtual machine memory (VMM) timer support logic and in communication with a VMM having a timer configuration module, the processor further in communication with a virtual machine (VM) and, during operation of the VM and the VMM, the processor to; receive a request for a virtual machine (VM) entry, the VM entry request including a request for transitioning control from a virtual machine monitor (VMM) to a VM, the VMM having a timer configuration module including a VMM timer indicator; determine whether the VMM timer indicator is set to an enabling value indicating the timer configuration module is enabled to, if necessary, gain control back from the VM during an operation at the VM; if the VMM timer indicator is set to an enabling value, identify a VMM timer value configured by the VMM prior to receiving the VM entry request, the VMM timer value representing a specific time at which the VMM is to receive the control back from the VM, and enable the VMM timer using the VMM timer value, and transitioning control to the VM; if the VMM timer indicator is not set to an enabling value, transition control to the VM; execute a VM exit by returning the control back to the VMM from the VM in response to an event relating to the VM exit occurring at the VM. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus comprising:
a processor, during operation of a virtual machine (VM) and a virtual machine monitor (VMM), to; receive a request for a virtual machine (VM) entry, the VM entry request including a request for transitioning control from a virtual machine monitor (VMM) to a VM, the VMM having a timer configuration module including a VMM timer indicator; determine whether the VMM timer indicator is set to an enabling value indicating the timer configuration module is enabled to, if necessary, gain control back from the VM during an operation at the VM; if the VMM timer indicator is set to an enabling value, identify a VMM timer value configured by the VMM prior to receiving the VM entry request, the VMM timer value representing a specific time at which the VMM is to receive the control back from the VM, and enable the VMM timer using the VMM timer value, and transitioning control to the VM; if the VMM timer indicator is not set to an enabling value, transition control to the VM; execute a VM exit by returning the control back to the VMM from the VM in response to an event relating to the VM exit occurring at the VM. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
Specification