Virtualizing super-user privileges for multiple virtual processes

a technology of virtualization and superuser privileges, applied in the field of virtualization of superuser privileges in computer operating systems including multiple, can solve the problems of inability to provide a unique physical host for each server application, inability to meet the needs of customers of isps to purchase hosting services, and inability to meet the needs of traditional server technology

USRE44210E1Inactive Publication Date: 2013-05-07ALTO DYNAMICS LLC
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Patents(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2013-05-07
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

Super-user privileges are virtualized by designating a virtual super-user for each of a plurality of virtual processes and intercepting system calls for which actual super-user privileges are required, which are nevertheless desirable for a virtual super-user to perform in the context of his or her own virtual process. In one embodiment, a computer operating system includes multiple virtual processes, such as virtual private servers. Each virtual process can be associated with one or more virtual super-users. When an actual process makes a system call that requires actual super-user privileges, the call is intercepted by a system call wrapper.
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Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This patent application is a reissue application for commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,219,354, issued from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 747,687, filed on May 15, 2007. BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to computer operating systems, and more particularly, to techniques for virtualizing super-user privileges in a computer operating system including multiple virtual processes, such as virtual private servers.

[0004] 2. Description of the Background Art

[0005] With the popularity and success of the Internet, server technologies are of great commercial importance today. An individual server application typically executes on a single physical host computer, servicing client requests. However, providing a unique physical host for each server application is expensive and inefficient.

[0006] For example, commercial hosting services are often provided by an Internet Service Provider (ISP), whic...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0042]The present invention relates to virtualizing super-user privileges in a computer operating system including multiple virtual processes. One example of a virtual process is a virtual private server, which simulates a server running on a dedicated host machine.

[0043]As previously noted, implementing a virtual private server using traditional server technologies has been impossible because, rather than comprising a single, discrete process, a virtual private server must include a plurality of seemingly unrelated processes, each performing various elements of the sum total of the functionality required by a customer. Moreover, isolating virtual private servers from each other presents a number of difficulties related to resource ownership.

[0044]Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention relates to a system and method for associating identifiers with virtual processes, as described immediately below. Thereafter, a system and method are described for virtualizing resource own...