Apparatus and method for cooperative guest firmware
US8627315B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 31, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jan 7, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 22, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/45533
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for cooperative guest firmware are described. In one embodiment, the method includes the launch of a virtual machine (VM) including a guest operating system (OS) and guest firmware. Prior to launching the VM, a data structure is generated in memory and is associated with the guest firmware to provide a virtualization policy provided by the VM as well as processor and platform configuration information to the guest firmware. In one embodiment, the guest firmware uses the data structure to access static information regarding the virtualization policy, as well as the processor and platform configuration information in response to requests from the guest OS. However, when the guest OS requires a host platform service, a virtual machine monitor (VMM) services the guest firmware requests for host platform services. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.