Apparatus to map virtual pages to disparate-sized, non-contiguous real pages and methods relating thereto

A method performed by a data processing system comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory capable of storing real pages of size X, and the processor capable of executing instructions within an operating system organized in virtual pages of size Y, wherein X and Y are positive integers, and wherein Y is greater than X, the method comprising the following operations:

• determining X;
• determining Y;
• determining Z=Y/X;
• and
• mapping a selected virtual page into Z non-contiguous real pages in a page table.

A data processing system comprising a processor, a logic device, and a memory coupled to the processor and to the logic device, the logic device capable of accessing real pages in the memory, and the processor capable of executing software supported by an operating system organized in virtual pages, the software comprising the following operations:

• determining a size X of the real pages;
• determining a size Y of the virtual pages;
• wherein X and Y are positive integers;
• and
• comparing X and Y and, if Y is greater than X, determining Z=Y/X and mapping a selected virtual page into Z non-contiguous real pages in a page table.

A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions that, when executed, result in operations being performed in a data processing system, the data processing system comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory capable of storing real pages, and the processor capable of executing instructions supported by an operating system organized in virtual pages, the operations comprising:

• determining a size X of the real pages;
• determining a size Y of the virtual pages;
• wherein X and Y are positive integers;
• and
• comparing X and Y and, if Y is greater than X, determining Z=Y/X and mapping a selected virtual page into Z non-contiguous real pages in a page table.

A system comprising:

• a bus;
• a memory coupled to the bus and capable of storing real pages of size X;
• a system processor coupled to the bus;
• a graphics processor coupled to the bus;
• wherein the system processor and the graphics processor are capable of executing instructions of at least one application under an operating system organized in virtual pages of size Y, wherein Y is greater than X;
• and
• a storage area capable of storing a page table comprising Z page table entries per virtual page, wherein Z=Y/X, and wherein each page table entry comprises a base address of a corresponding non-contiguous real page in the memory.