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Microkernels meet recursive virtual machines (1996)
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BibTeX
@TECHREPORT{Ford96microkernelsmeet,
author = {Bryan Ford and Mike Hibler and Jay Lepreau and Patrick Tullmann and Godmar Back and Stephen Clawson},
title = {Microkernels meet recursive virtual machines},
institution = {},
year = {1996}
}
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Abstract
This paper describes a novel approach to providing modular and extensible operating system functionality and encapsulated environments based on a synthesis of microkernel and virtual machine concepts. We have developed a software-based virtualizable architecture called Fluke that allows recursive virtual machines (virtual machines running on other virtual machines) to be implemented efficiently by a microkernel running on generic hardware. A complete virtual machine interface is provided at each level; efficiency derives from needing to implement only new functionality at each level. This infrastructure allows common OS functionality, such as process management, demand paging, fault tolerance, and debugging support, to be provided by cleanly modularized, independent, stackable virtual machine monitors, implemented as user processes. It can also provide uncommon or unique OS features, including the above features specialized for particular applications ’ needs, virtual machines transparently distributed cross-node, or security monitors that allow arbitrary untrusted binaries to be executed safely. Our prototype implementation of this model indicates that it is practical to modularize operating systems this way. Some types of virtual machine layers impose almost no overhead at all, while others impose some overhead (typically 0–35%), but only on certain classes of applications.
Keyphrases
recursive virtual machine virtual machine process management stackable virtual machine monitor particular application need security monitor novel approach certain class fault tolerance prototype implementation virtual machine layer virtual machine concept new functionality software-based virtualizable architecture common o functionality generic hardware demand paging unique o feature complete virtual machine interface arbitrary untrusted binary extensible operating system functionality user process
