Hardware emulation using on-the-fly virtualization
First Claim
1. A method for addressing at least one anomaly associated with at least one actual hardware element in a computer system having a plurality of hardware elements, said method comprising the steps of:
- responsive to detecting said at least one anomaly, inserting a virtualization layer between (i) an operating system of said computer system, and (ii) said plurality of hardware elements;
performing at least one of hardware emulation and hardware deactivation on said at least one actual hardware element, with said virtualization layer;
wherein said insertion of said virtualization layer is accomplished in an on-the-fly manner;
wherein said at least one anomaly associated with said at least one actual hardware element comprises a failure of said actual hardware element, and wherein said virtualization layer performs said hardware emulation by presenting to said operating system a virtual hardware element having characteristics substantially similar to those of said actual hardware element; and
wherein said at least one actual hardware element comprises an original first storage element;
receiving, by said virtualization layer from said operating system, a request to read a block of data from said original first storage element;
determining whether said block of data has already been transferred from said original first storage element to a second storage element; and
responsive to said determining step indicating that said block of data has not already been transferred from said original first storage element to said second storage element, reading said block of data from said original first storage element.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
At least one anomaly associated with at least one actual hardware element in a computer system having a plurality of hardware elements is addressed. The anomaly is detected, and, responsive to the detection, a virtualization layer is inserted between (i) an operating system of the computer system, and (ii) the plurality of hardware elements. Hardware emulation and/or selective hardware activation/deactivation are performed on the at least one actual hardware element by the virtualization layer. The insertion of the virtualization layer is accomplished in an on-the-fly manner.
1 Citation
24 Claims
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1. A method for addressing at least one anomaly associated with at least one actual hardware element in a computer system having a plurality of hardware elements, said method comprising the steps of:
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responsive to detecting said at least one anomaly, inserting a virtualization layer between (i) an operating system of said computer system, and (ii) said plurality of hardware elements; performing at least one of hardware emulation and hardware deactivation on said at least one actual hardware element, with said virtualization layer; wherein said insertion of said virtualization layer is accomplished in an on-the-fly manner; wherein said at least one anomaly associated with said at least one actual hardware element comprises a failure of said actual hardware element, and wherein said virtualization layer performs said hardware emulation by presenting to said operating system a virtual hardware element having characteristics substantially similar to those of said actual hardware element; and wherein said at least one actual hardware element comprises an original first storage element; receiving, by said virtualization layer from said operating system, a request to read a block of data from said original first storage element; determining whether said block of data has already been transferred from said original first storage element to a second storage element; and responsive to said determining step indicating that said block of data has not already been transferred from said original first storage element to said second storage element, reading said block of data from said original first storage element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 21)
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14. An apparatus for addressing at least one anomaly associated with at least one actual hardware element in a computer system having a plurality of hardware elements, said apparatus comprising:
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means for, responsive to detecting said at least one anomaly, inserting a virtualization layer between (i) an operating system of said computer system, and (ii) said plurality of hardware elements; means for performing at least one of hardware emulation and hardware deactivation on said at least one actual hardware element, with said virtualization layer; wherein said means for inserting said virtualization layer are configured to accomplish said insertion in an on-the-fly manner; wherein said at least one anomaly associated with said at least one actual hardware element comprises a failure of said actual hardware element, and wherein said virtualization layer performs said hardware emulation by presenting to said operating system a virtual hardware element having characteristics substantially similar to those of said actual hardware element; and wherein said at least one actual hardware element comprises an original first storage element; means for receiving, by said virtualization layer from said operating system, a request to read a block of data from said original first storage element; means for determining whether said block of data has already been transferred from said original first storage element to a second storage element; and responsive to said determining indicating that said block of data has not already been transferred from said original first storage element to said second storage element, means for reading said block of data from said original first storage element. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 22)
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17. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer usable readable recordable storage medium including computer usable program code for addressing at least one anomaly associated with at least one actual hardware element in a computer system having a plurality of hardware elements, said computer program product including:
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computer usable program code for, responsive to detecting said at least one anomaly, inserting a virtualization layer between (i) an operating system of said computer system, and (ii) said plurality of hardware elements; computer usable program code for performing at least one of hardware emulation and hardware deactivation on said at least one actual hardware element, with said virtualization layer; wherein said computer usable program code for inserting of said virtualization layer is configured to accomplish said insertion in an on-the-fly manner; wherein said at least one anomaly associated with said at least one actual hardware element comprises a failure of said actual hardware element, and wherein said virtualization layer performs said hardware emulation by presenting to said operating system a virtual hardware element having characteristics substantially similar to those of said actual hardware element; and wherein said at least one actual hardware element comprises an original first storage element; computer usable program code for receiving, by said virtualization layer from said operating system, a request to read a block of data from said original first storage element; computer usable program code for determining whether said block of data has already been transferred from said original first storage element to a second storage element; and responsive to said determining indicating that said block of data has not already been transferred from said original first storage element to said second storage element, computer usable program code for reading said block of data from said original first storage element. - View Dependent Claims (18, 23)
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19. A system for addressing at least one anomaly associated with at least one actual hardware element in a computer system having a plurality of hardware elements, said system comprising:
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a memory; and at least one processor, coupled to said memory, and operative to responsive to detection of said at least one anomaly, insert a virtualization layer between (i) an operating system of said computer system, and (ii) said plurality of hardware elements; perform at least one of hardware emulation and hardware deactivation on said at least one actual hardware element, with said virtualization layer; wherein said processor is operative to insert said virtualization layer in an on-the-fly manner; wherein said at least one anomaly associated with said at least one actual hardware element comprises a failure of said actual hardware element, and wherein said virtualization layer performs said hardware emulation by presenting to said operating system a virtual hardware element having characteristics substantially similar to those of said actual hardware element; and wherein said at least one actual hardware element comprises an original first storage element; receive, by said virtualization layer from said operating system, a request to read a block of data from said original first storage element; determine whether said block of data has already been transferred from said original first storage element to a second storage element; and responsive to said determining indicating that said block of data has not already been transferred from said original first storage element to said second storage element, the at least one processor being operative to read said block of data from said original first storage element. - View Dependent Claims (20, 24)
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Specification