Open Bus Hypervisor Hardware Virtualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hosted Virtual Machine Monitors (VMMs) face inefficiencies and limitations in utilizing hardware virtualization technologies, particularly with new processor families like Intel's VMX technology, lacking direct hardware control and requiring extensive driver integration, which increases system risk and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An Open Bus Hypervisor operates at the root mode, providing support for processing and redirecting low-level events, enabling efficient hardware virtualization by using technologies like VT-X and AMD-V, and allowing hardware drivers to access physical resources while managing interactions between Virtual Machine Monitors (VMMs) and the Primary Operating System (POS).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hosted Virtual Machine Monitor (VMM) is used, then virtualization functionality is provided, but hardware virtualization support is limited and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an Open Bus Hypervisor as an intermediary layer between the hardware and the hosted VMM. This hypervisor operates in root mode and provides direct hardware virtualization support through interfaces like VT-X and AMD-V, while the hosted VMM runs as a process within it. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by enabling robust hardware virtualization without requiring the hosted VMM to directly manage hardware, thus reducing system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hosted VMM requires extensive driver integration to access hardware, then hardware functionality is available, but system risk and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the system into distinct layers: the Open Bus Hypervisor in root mode handles direct hardware access and driver integration, while the hosted VMM in process mode focuses on virtual machine management. This segmentation allows hardware access capability to be maintained through the hypervisor's direct interfaces, while the hosted VMM avoids the complexity of extensive driver integration by operating at a higher abstraction level.
3Productivity
If conventional hosted VMM is used, then virtualization is provided, but efficiency in utilizing hardware virtualization technologies is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical approach where a hosted VMM directly manages hardware with a more efficient architecture. The Open Bus Hypervisor substitutes the direct hardware management role, utilizing modern hardware virtualization technologies (VT-X, AMD-V) directly in root mode. This substitution eliminates the inefficiencies of software-based hardware emulation and enables near-native hardware virtualization performance, while the hosted VMM handles higher-level virtualization tasks.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system includes an Open Bus Hypervisor having the highest privilege level. An Open Bus Hypervisor is a set of modules that operate on the root level. The Open Bus Hypervisor provides support for processing, filtering and redirecting of low level events. The Open Bus Hypervisor is used primarily for maintenance and support of computer virtualization features, which are implemented within computer system CPU. Additionally, the Open Bus Hypervisor can be used for supporting new hardware and software modules installed on a computer system. A Virtual Machine Monitor (VMM) runs with fewer privileges than the Open Bus Hypervisor. A Primary Virtual Machine (PVM) runs without system level privileges and has a Primary Operating System (POS) running within it.