Hypervisor Serialization Using OS-Specific Attempt Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multiprocessor systems with mixed operating systems, maintaining shared resource consistency is difficult, leading to performance degradation and functional issues due to the need for strict consistency, which is exacerbated by frequent serialization requests.
Innovation Solution
A serialization system using OS-specific parameters, where a hypervisor modifies attempt limits based on OS-specific settings, and employs a serialization state machine to manage serialization requests, balancing thread interruptions to minimize system-wide impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If strict consistency requirements are enforced for shared resources in multiprocessor systems, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to performance degradation from frequent serialization requests
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing OS-specific attempt limits rather than a uniform system-wide limit. Different operating systems (Linux, Windows, z/OS) have different characteristics and requirements, so each OS receives a customized attempt limit tailored to its specific behavior patterns. This allows the system to maintain consistency requirements while being more lenient with certain OS types that may generate more serialization requests, thereby improving overall performance without sacrificing reliability.
2Reliability
If serialization requests are frequently issued to maintain consistency, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to system-wide interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the attempt limit parameter based on the specific operating system type. Instead of using a fixed system-wide attempt limit, the system modifies this parameter to be OS-specific (e.g., higher limits for Linux, lower limits for Windows). This allows the system to tolerate more serialization attempts from certain OS types before triggering system-wide interruptions, thereby reducing unnecessary interruptions and time loss while maintaining consistency where needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Computer-implemented methods for a serialization system using operating system specific parameters are disclosed herein. Aspects include a hypervisor executing on a host server dispatching a virtual machine. Aspects also include transmitting an indication of an active operating system (OS) of the virtual machine to the host server. Aspects further include modifying a default attempt limit using an OS-specific attempt limit associated with the active OS in response to determining that the active OS of the virtual machine is associated with an OS-specific parameter.