Memory Deduplication via Copy-on-Write Mapping Simulator
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing memory management systems, such as those in the Windows operating system, face inefficiencies due to duplicate physical pages containing the same content, leading to memory waste. Currently, the KSM technology from the Linux operating system cannot be directly applied to Windows to address this issue.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for setting memory are introduced, which utilize a simulator running in the user space of a terminal device with a first operating system. This setup allows for the application of a copy-on-write instruction to map a first virtual memory space to a second virtual memory space, optimizing memory usage by reducing physical memory occupation and simulating the KSM technology without requiring a full Linux system emulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If KSM technology is directly applied to Windows system to merge same page content, then memory occupation is reduced, but the system complexity increases due to need to simulate Linux operating system completely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of KSM (merging same page content) from the Linux kernel and implements it independently in the Windows user space through a simulator. This separates the memory deduplication function from the complete Linux system simulation, reducing the complexity burden while maintaining the memory saving benefit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a simulator as an intermediary layer between the Windows system and the memory management function. This simulator runs in user space and provides the KSM functionality without requiring full Linux kernel simulation, acting as a mediator that bridges the functional need with the platform constraints.
2Quantity of substance
If complete Linux operating system simulation is used to implement KSM technology, then memory deduplication function is achieved, but application compatibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary memory management function (page content merging) from the Linux operating system and implements it in a lightweight simulator. This selective extraction maintains application compatibility by avoiding the need to simulate the entire Linux environment, while still achieving the desired memory deduplication effect.
3Speed
If multiple physical pages with same content are maintained, then memory access speed is improved, but memory waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges physical pages that contain the same content into a single shared physical page. By combining redundant pages, it eliminates memory waste while maintaining fast access speeds through the mapping mechanism that allows multiple virtual addresses to reference the same physical content efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copy-on-write mapping to create virtual copies of page content without immediately creating physical copies. This allows multiple processes to share the same physical page content, reducing memory waste, while maintaining the illusion of separate pages for access purposes. Physical copying only occurs when modifications are needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for setting memory, and an electronic device and a storage medium. The method comprises: obtaining a memory application instruction generated by a process corresponding to a simulator; determining target number of times of mappings for a first virtual memory space according to the memory application instruction; determining remaining number of times of mappings of the first virtual memory space; determining whether the remaining number of times of mappings is zero; if not, mapping the first virtual memory space to a second virtual memory space by using a copy-on-write instruction, updating the remaining number of times of mappings, and returning to the step of determining whether the remaining number of times of mappings is zero; and if yes, stopping mapping the first virtual memory space to the second virtual memory space by using the copy-on-write instruction.