Process State Transfer via Operating System Mediator
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Solution Overview
Problem
In computing environments, when a computer program or process crashes or needs to be updated, the interruption of state information can lead to inefficient resource management and time consumption, particularly in server-client settings, where reestablishing state information is complex and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A computing system and method that allows for the registration of processing information with an operating system, enabling a second process to request and transfer ownership of this information after the first process has terminated, including verification mechanisms to ensure secure transfer of capability handles and state information, facilitating seamless transition and updates without interrupting ongoing tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If state information is lost when a process terminates, then the system can freely manage memory resources, but the client application must reestablish state information which increases computing resource consumption and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the first process register its state information with the operating system before termination occurs. This advance registration ensures that when the process ends, the state information is already prepared and available for transfer to the second process, eliminating the need for reestablishment and reducing computing resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating system serves as an intermediary that receives state information from the first process and transfers it to the second process. This intermediary mechanism preserves state information across process termination while managing memory resources efficiently, resolving the contradiction between resource freedom and state preservation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If state information is transferred between processes, then continuity of operation is maintained, but security risks increase when handling handle information outside the operating system's purview
Solution Approach 1:
The operating system acts as a secure intermediary that controls the entire state information transfer process. By keeping handle information within the operating system's purview and using its protected transfer mechanisms, the system maintains operational continuity while preventing security risks associated with external handle handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts sensitive handle information from the traditional process-memory boundary and places it under operating system control. This extraction allows state information to be transferred between processes while maintaining security, as the OS manages the sensitive data rather than allowing direct process-to-process access.
3Reliability
If capability handles are transferred to a safekeeping process, then security is improved, but the transfer process becomes more complex with additional verification steps
Solution Approach 1:
The safekeeping process performs self-service by automatically verifying capability handles and managing the transfer process without requiring complex external verification mechanisms. The operating system's built-in verification functions handle the security checks, simplifying the overall process while maintaining high security standards.
Data Source
AI summary
This technology relates to transferring state information between processes or active software programs in a computing environment where a new instance of a process or software program may receive such state information even after an original or old instance of the process or software program that owned the state information has terminated either naturally or unnaturally.