OS Switching via Non-Volatile Memory Context Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computing systems take an unreasonably long time to switch between operating systems due to the need for a complete shutdown and boot-up process, and virtualization limits performance by restricting direct hardware access to each operating system.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing system contexts saved in non-volatile memory to rapidly switch between operating systems by saving and loading standby contexts between volatile and non-volatile memory, allowing for quick transitions without full shutdown and boot-up, and enabling direct hardware access through appropriate management of sleep states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a complete shutdown and boot-up process is used to switch between operating systems, then system stability is ensured, but switching time becomes unreasonably long
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by saving the complete system context (including CPU registers, memory state, and device statuses) to non-volatile memory before shutting down. This allows the next operating system to restore the saved context and continue execution as if no shutdown occurred, eliminating the need for complete re-initialization and dramatically reducing switching time while maintaining system stability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a copy of the entire system state in non-volatile memory before OS transition. This copy includes all volatile memory contents, processor states, and hardware configurations. The target OS can then load this copied state to resume operations quickly without performing a full boot sequence, thus reducing switching time while preserving system reliability
2Adaptability or versatility
If virtualization is used to run multiple guest operating systems, then hardware access is consolidated, but performance is reduced due to restricted direct hardware access
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between virtualization mode and direct hardware access mode based on the requirements of the running application. When high-performance applications (such as games) need to run, the system transitions to direct hardware access mode by restoring the appropriate system context, allowing full hardware performance while maintaining multi-OS capability through rapid context switching
3Loss of time
If system context is saved in volatile memory during standby, then switching speed is improved, but data loss occurs when power is cutoff or memory is overwritten
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces non-volatile memory as an intermediary between volatile memory and permanent storage. The system context is first saved to volatile memory for quick access, then asynchronously copied to non-volatile memory for persistence. This intermediary layer ensures that context data survives power cutoffs and overwrites, maintaining both fast switching capability and data reliability
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments are generally directed to an apparatus, method and other techniques for receiving information to invoke a transition from a first operating system to a second operating system, copying a system context for the second operating system from a location of a non-volatile memory to a volatile memory, the location associated with the second operating system and transitioning from the first operating system to the second operating system using the system context for the second operating system.