Removal of idle time in virtual machine operation
First Claim
1. A computer system comprising a processor and a memory storing computer-readable program code portions that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the computer system to at least:
- execute one or more computer programs by a virtual processor in a virtual machine, the computer programs being executed as tasks scheduled for execution at respective points in an apparent time tracked by an apparent-time reference; and
during execution of the computer programs;
detect a current paint, in apparent time at which all tasks scheduled for repeated execution at a given frequency have been executed, or at which the virtual processor is idle and in response thereto,advance the apparent time from the current point to a subsequent point with a frequency greater than that with which the apparent time is tracked by the apparent-time reference,wherein the computer programs are executed as tasks during a cycle divided into a plurality of frames in one or more of which each of at least some of the tasks is scheduled for execution, and the apparent-time reference comprises a virtual timer configured to track the frames having boundaries defined at respective points in the apparent time,wherein the computer system being, caused to detect the current point in apparent time includes being caused to detect the current point in apparent time during any particular frame at which the virtual processor is idle, andwherein the computer system being caused to advance the apparent time includes being caused to advance the apparent time to the subsequent point in apparent time that defines the boundary of a frame immediately following the particular frame in the cycle, such that idle time in the system may be removed to provide an improvement in performance of the virtual processor.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer system for providing virtualization services may execute computer programs by a virtual processor in a virtual machine. The computer programs may be executed as tasks scheduled for execution at respective points in an apparent time tracked by an apparent-time reference. During execution of the computer programs, the computer system may detect a current point in apparent time at which all tasks scheduled for repeated execution at a given frequency have been executed, or at which the virtual processor is idle. And in response, the computer system may advance the apparent time to a subsequent point with a frequency greater than that with which the apparent time is tracked by the apparent-time reference.
17 Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A computer system comprising a processor and a memory storing computer-readable program code portions that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the computer system to at least:
-
execute one or more computer programs by a virtual processor in a virtual machine, the computer programs being executed as tasks scheduled for execution at respective points in an apparent time tracked by an apparent-time reference; and
during execution of the computer programs;detect a current paint, in apparent time at which all tasks scheduled for repeated execution at a given frequency have been executed, or at which the virtual processor is idle and in response thereto, advance the apparent time from the current point to a subsequent point with a frequency greater than that with which the apparent time is tracked by the apparent-time reference, wherein the computer programs are executed as tasks during a cycle divided into a plurality of frames in one or more of which each of at least some of the tasks is scheduled for execution, and the apparent-time reference comprises a virtual timer configured to track the frames having boundaries defined at respective points in the apparent time, wherein the computer system being, caused to detect the current point in apparent time includes being caused to detect the current point in apparent time during any particular frame at which the virtual processor is idle, and wherein the computer system being caused to advance the apparent time includes being caused to advance the apparent time to the subsequent point in apparent time that defines the boundary of a frame immediately following the particular frame in the cycle, such that idle time in the system may be removed to provide an improvement in performance of the virtual processor. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
2. The computer system of claim wherein the virtual machine is defined to provide a virtualization platform for virtualization of a target hardware platform including a processor of a type different from the processor of the computer system, the virtualization platform including the virtual processor configured to execute the computer programs through emulation of the processor of the target hardware platform.
-
7. A method of providing virtualization services, the method comprising:
-
executing one or MOM computer programs by a virtual processor in a virtual machine, the computer programs being executed as tasks scheduled for execution at respective points in an apparent time tracked by an apparent-time reference; and
during execution of the computer programs;detecting a current point in apparent time at which all tasks scheduled for repeated execution at a given frequency have been executed, or at which the virtual processor is idle; and in response thereto, advancing the apparent time from the current point to a subsequent point with a frequency greater than that with which the apparent time is tracked by the apparent-time reference, wherein the computer programs are executed as tasks during a cycle divided into t pluarlity of frames in one or more of which each of at least some of the tasks is scheduled for execution, and the a rent-time reference comprise a virtual timer configure to track the flames having boundaries defined at respective points in the apparent time, wherein detecting the current point in apparent time includes detecting the current point in apparent time during any particular frame at which the virtual processor is idle, wherein advancing the apparent time includes advancing the apparent time to the subsequent point in apparent time that defines the boundary of a frame immediately following the particular frame in the cycle, such that de time may he removed to provide an improvement in performance of the virtual processor, and wherein the virtualization services are provided by computer system comprising a processor and a memory storing computer-readable program code portions that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the computer system to execute the computer programs, detect the current point in apparent time and advance the apparent time from the current point. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein that, in response to execution by a processor, cause a computer system to at least:
-
execute one or more computer programs by a virtual processor in a virtual machine, the computer programs being executed as tasks scheduled for execution at respective points in an apparent time tracked by an apparent-time reference; and
during execution of the computer programs;detect a current point in apparent time at which all tasks scheduled for repeated execution at a given frequency have been executed, or at which the virtual processor is idle; and
in response thereto,advance the apparent time from the current point to a subsequent point with it frequency greater than that with which the apparent time is tracked by the apparent-time reference, wherein the computer programs are executed as tasks during a cycle divided into a plurality of frames in one or more of which each of at least some of the tasks is scheduled for execution. and the apparent-time re retire comprises a virtual timer configured to track the frames having boundaries defined at respective points in the apparent time, wherein the computer system being, caused to detect the current point in apparent time includes being caused to detect the current point in apparent time during any particular frame at which the virtual processor is idle, and wherein the computer system being caused to advance the apparent time includes being caused to advance the apparent time to the subsequent point in apparent time that defines the boundary of a frame immediately following the particular frame in the cycle, such that idle time in the system max be removed to provide an improvement in performance of the virtua1 processor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
-
Specification