Permission-Based Kernel Tunable State Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current operating systems lack the ability to distinguish between different processes when dynamically configuring kernel tunables, leading to potential resource misallocation and compromised system integrity, requiring skilled administrators and resource-intensive optimization processes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing kernel tunables with multiple states that assign permission levels to applications, allowing only authorized applications to automatically adjust resource settings, preventing untrusted processes from making undesirable allocations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If any process is allowed to automatically adjust kernel tunables to improve system adaptability, then system flexibility and automatic tuning capability are improved, but system integrity and security deteriorate due to potential malicious or erroneous resource misallocation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different permission levels to different processes. Instead of a uniform approach where all processes have the same ability to adjust tunables, the system grants automatic tuning permissions selectively to specific processes based on their trustworthiness and requirements. This is implemented through a permission level associated with each process that determines which kernel tunables that process can automatically adjust, thereby maintaining system integrity while enabling adaptability where needed.
2Reliability
If skilled administrators perform manual kernel optimization to achieve optimal configuration, then system performance and reliability are improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling selected processes to automatically tune kernel parameters themselves based on their runtime needs. Processes with appropriate permission levels can automatically adjust kernel tunables without requiring administrator intervention. This eliminates the need for manual optimization by skilled administrators, significantly reducing tuning time and operational complexity while maintaining optimal system configuration through process-driven automatic adjustment.
3Ease of operation
If kernel tunables are dynamically configured without permission restrictions to improve system flexibility, then ease of operation is improved, but system security and resource allocation integrity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of a permission level system that mediates between processes and kernel tunables. Before a process can dynamically configure a kernel tunable, the system checks the process's permission level against the requirements of the specific tunable. This intermediary permission check enables dynamic configuration for authorized processes while blocking potentially harmful adjustments by unauthorized processes, thus maintaining both ease of operation and system security.
Data Source
AI summary
A server includes a central processing unit and electronic memory communicatively coupled to the central processing unit. The memory stores a dynamically tunable operating system kernel that includes at least one tunable implemented as a plurality of states. Each application managed by the operating system is assigned to one of these states according to a permission level association with the application. Each state defines a range of automated tuning of the tunable that is authorized to applications assigned to the state.