Virtual Storage Cache Physical Memory Contiguity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a cloud environment, data transfer performance is compromised because virtual storage executed on a general-purpose OS lacks guaranteed physically contiguous memory allocation, despite resource allocation control technologies, as virtual memory areas do not ensure physical contiguity.
Innovation Solution
A computer system with a processor and memory allocates resources to processes, creating area information for physical addresses and selecting contiguous memory areas to allocate them to a cache, ensuring physical contiguity for improved virtual storage performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If virtual memory is allocated to processes on a general-purpose OS, then resource allocation control is enabled, but physical memory contiguity cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a memory management intermediary layer that sits between the OS virtual memory manager and the virtual storage cache. This intermediary monitors virtual memory allocation requests and actively manages physical memory pages to ensure contiguous physical memory regions are allocated to cache areas, while still allowing the OS to maintain its virtual memory abstraction and resource control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the memory allocation parameters by transitioning from standard OS-managed virtual memory allocation to a customized allocation scheme where physical contiguity is enforced. This involves modifying memory allocation requests to specify contiguity requirements and implementing page migration mechanisms to maintain physical continuity when pages are swapped or reallocated.
2Productivity
If physically contiguous memory is allocated to virtual storage, then data transfer performance is improved, but memory management flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic memory management system that adapts between contiguous and non-contiguous allocation based on operational needs. During active I/O operations, the system maintains contiguous physical memory allocation to maximize data transfer performance. When I/O activity decreases, the system allows greater flexibility in memory management, enabling page swapping and reallocation to other processes without strict contiguity constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory space is segmented into different regions with different allocation policies. Cache areas requiring high performance are allocated contiguous physical memory segments, while other memory regions can use standard OS virtual memory management. This segmentation allows the system to optimize performance-critical areas without compromising overall memory management flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If OS resource allocation control is used, then resource management is simplified, but physical memory contiguity for cache cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a memory management intermediary layer that sits between the OS virtual memory manager and the virtual storage cache. This intermediary monitors virtual memory allocation requests and actively manages physical memory pages to ensure contiguous physical memory regions are allocated to cache areas, while still allowing the OS to maintain its virtual memory abstraction and resource control capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
By assigning a physically continuous memory area to a virtual storage apparatus operated on an OS, the performance of the virtual storage apparatus is secured. A processor operates an OS, and the processor executes a plurality of processes on the OS. The plurality of processes includes a first virtual storage apparatus. The first virtual storage apparatus executes an I/O process, and includes a cache for storing data that is subjected to the I/O process. The processor assigns a resource in a computer to the plurality of processes, and the processor creates area information that indicates physical addresses assigned to the processes in a memory. On the basis of the area information, the processor selects a continuous area, which is a physically continuous area from the memory and assigns the continuous area to the cache.