Hypervisor Virtual Time Control for OS Independence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing time control mechanisms for operating systems require kernel modifications or API hooking, making them inconvenient and unsuitable for different operating systems, especially those without released source codes, and are inefficient in accelerating or decelerating system time.
Innovation Solution
A virtual time control apparatus and method utilizing a hypervisor to generate virtual timer and tick periods based on an adjustment ratio, allowing for time control without modifying the operating system kernel or intercepting system function calls, and suitable for various operating systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If kernel modification or API hooking is used to control system time, then time control capability is achieved, but system complexity and portability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hypervisor as an intermediary layer between the hardware and the operating system. The hypervisor virtualizes the timer and real-time clock devices, providing time control capabilities without requiring modifications to the operating system kernel or interception of system function calls. This mediator approach achieves reliable time control while maintaining system simplicity and portability across different operating systems.
2Speed
If kernel modification is used to accelerate system time, then time acceleration is achieved, but ease of operation and applicability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the time control function from the operating system kernel by implementing it in the hypervisor layer. The hypervisor independently manages virtual timer periods and virtual tick periods, allowing time acceleration without requiring kernel modifications. This segmentation makes the solution easier to operate and applicable to different operating systems including those without released source codes.
3Reliability
If API hooking mechanism is used to modify time parameters, then time modification capability is achieved, but completeness and versatility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal time control solution in the hypervisor that can accelerate or decelerate time for any operating system running on the virtualized platform. The hypervisor's virtual timer and real-time clock mechanisms provide comprehensive time modification capability that works across different operating systems without requiring API hooking, thereby achieving both reliability and versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual time control apparatus, method, and non-transitory computer readable storage medium thereof are provided. The virtual time control apparatus includes a system timer, a real time clock, and a processing unit, wherein the processing unit is electrically connected to the system timer and the real time clock. The system timer has an original timer period, while the real time clock has an original tick period. The processing unit executes a hypervisor. The hypervisor generates a virtual timer period according to an adjustment ratio and the original timer period. The hypervisor generates a virtual tick period according to the adjustment ratio and the original tick period.