Frame Management Instruction for Storage Key Setting and Block Clearing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current dynamic address translation facilities lack enhanced functionality, capability, and protection mechanisms, limiting their effectiveness in managing virtual address translation and storage access in computer systems.
Innovation Solution
A set of key and frame management functions are introduced, utilizing a hierarchy of translation tables to translate virtual addresses into real or absolute addresses, with features like access-protection bits, block size indicators, and clear functions to manage storage access and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If dynamic address translation is implemented to provide virtual storage, then storage capacity is improved, but storage management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual storage space is segmented into discrete page frames, each with its own key and protection attributes. This segmentation allows the system to manage large virtual storage by treating it as collections of manageable units, reducing the complexity of tracking and controlling access across the entire virtual address space.
Solution Approach 2:
A key field is introduced as an intermediary between the virtual address and the physical page frame. This key acts as a mediator that carries protection information and mapping data, simplifying the translation process and enabling efficient storage management without requiring complex direct mapping structures.
2Reliability
If access-protection bits are added to storage keys, then security is improved, but key structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protection bits are merged directly into the key field that already exists in the page frame structure. This integration allows the system to gain enhanced security capabilities without adding separate, complex protection mechanisms, as the protection information is combined with the existing key data structure.
3Reliability
If frame management functions are added for setting keys and clearing blocks, then storage protection is improved, but instruction set complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame management instructions are designed to perform multiple functions: setting protection keys, clearing storage blocks, and managing page frame attributes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized instructions for each operation, thereby limiting the increase in instruction set complexity while achieving comprehensive storage protection.
Data Source
AI summary
What is disclosed is a set key and clear frame management function defined for a machine architecture of a computer system. In one embodiment, a machine instruction is obtained which identifies a first and second general register. Obtained from the first general register is a frame size field indicating whether a storage frame is one of a small block or a large block of data. Obtained from the second general register is an operand address of a storage frame upon which the instruction is to be performed. If the storage frame is a small block, the instruction is performed only on the small block. If the indicated storage frame is a large block of data, an operand address of an initial first block of data within the large block of data is obtained from the second general register. The frame management instruction is performed on all blocks starting from the initial first block.