Virtual Root Process for Software Partition Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In application software partitions, existing mechanisms result in the loss of resource usage statistics and return codes for child processes when they are re-parented to the global root process, leading to inaccurate completion indications and violations of the software partitioning paradigm.
Innovation Solution
A virtual root process is created within the software partition to re-parent child processes, allowing for the collection of return codes and resource usage statistics, and preventing premature exit by maintaining the child processes in its list, using a data structure that includes process and virtual process identifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If child processes are re-parented to the global root process when their parent terminates, then the process tree structure is maintained, but resource usage statistics and return codes are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary data structure (process information structure) that acts as a mediator between the global root process and child processes. This structure stores and preserves resource usage statistics and return codes, allowing the root process to access this information without directly managing the child processes. The intermediary structure maintains the process tree stability while preventing information loss during re-parenting operations.
2Productivity
If the launcher process exits before child processes complete, then the application software partition can terminate, but false completion indications occur and resource tracking becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the global root process continuously monitors child process status through the intermediary data structure. Even after the launcher process exits, the root process receives feedback about child process completion status and resource usage statistics. This allows the system to accurately determine when all child processes have completed before terminating the partition, preventing false completion indications while maintaining efficient termination.
3Measurement precision
If a virtual root process is created to re-parent child processes, then resource tracking accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the global root process multi-functional by assigning it dual roles: (1) its traditional role as the system-wide root process, and (2) the role of a virtual root process for the application software partition. The root process uses a single intermediary data structure to manage both system-wide processes and partition-specific child processes. This universal approach improves resource tracking accuracy without significantly increasing system complexity, as it reuses existing root process infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for managing a software partition in logical partitioned data processing system. A virtual root process is created for the software partition, wherein the virtual root process functions as a root process for the software partition. The set of child processes is re-parented to the virtual root process in response to termination of a process having a set of child processes.