Virtual Machine Live Migration Across Incompatible Processors

The patent introduces an intermediary translation layer between the virtual machine and the destination processor. When a virtual machine instruction uses an instruction set feature not supported by the destination processor, the system intercepts the instruction, translates it into equivalent operations using the destination processor's instruction set, and executes the translated instructions. This intermediary translation mechanism allows the virtual machine to retain access to higher instruction set capabilities while the destination processor executes only compatible instructions, thus resolving the contradiction between performance and migration compatibility.

The patent implements a dynamic approach where the instruction set exposure model is not fixed but adapts based on the destination processor's capabilities. The system dynamically determines which instruction set features are supported by the destination processor and adjusts the translation behavior accordingly. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maximize performance by translating only the necessary instructions while maintaining compatibility, rather than statically limiting all instruction set features as in traditional host-model mode.

The patent applies local quality by selectively translating only the specific instructions that are incompatible with the destination processor, rather than applying a uniform translation approach to all instructions. The system identifies and translates only the necessary instruction set features that differ between source and destination processors, leaving compatible instructions to execute natively. This localized translation approach minimizes performance overhead while ensuring compatibility, resolving the contradiction between compatibility and performance.