Process-based virtualization system for executing a secure application process

US11461474B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Jentje Leenstra · Nagold, DE
• Paul Mackerras · Cessnock, AU
• Benjamin Herrenschmidt · Forrest, AU
• Bradly G. Frey · Austin, US
• John Martin Ludden · Butlers Corners, US
• Guerney D. H. Hunt · Yorktown Heights, US
• David Campbell · Austin, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 24, 2020
• Grant date: Oct 4, 2022
• Expiry date: May 13, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06F2009/45587
• WIPO field: Computer technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a process-based virtualization system comprising a data processing unit. The system comprises a computer readable storage media, wherein a first memory component of the computer readable storage media is configured for access by an OS, secure and non-secure applications and the firmware, and wherein a second memory component of the computer readable storage media is configured for access by the firmware and not by the OS and the non-secure application. The data processing unit is configured to operate in a first mode of operation that executes a non-secure application process using the OS, and to operate in a second mode of operation that executes the secure application using the firmware, thereby executing application code using the second memory component.