Dynamic Selection and Application of Multiple Virtualization Techniques

A method of autonomously selecting between multiple virtualization techniques for handling virtualization exception conditions in the virtualized execution of a guest operating system within a virtual machine as executed on a computer platform, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) determining, at defined intervals in the virtualized execution of a guest operating system, the virtualization overhead costs incurred in execution of a virtual machine monitor using respective first and second virtualization techniques to handle virtualization exception conditions;
• b) comparing the virtualization overhead costs for said first and second virtualization techniques, said step of comparing including a cost of switching from the virtualized execution of said guest operating system using a current virtualization technique to the virtualized execution of said guest operating system using said first and second virtualization techniques;
• and
• c) switching the virtualized execution of said guest operating system to said first or second virtualization techniques where the compared difference in virtualization overhead costs exceeds a predetermined value.

A method of optimizing the performance of a virtual machine as executed on a computer system platform, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) collecting data reflecting virtualization overhead incurred in the execution of a guest operating system in conjunction with a virtual machine monitor, wherein said virtual machine implements a first virtualization technique enabling virtualized execution of a guest operating system within a virtual machine;
• b) computing, based on said data, a potential reduction in virtualization overhead by executing said guest operating system in conjunction with said virtual machine monitor implementing a second virtualization technique, said step of computing being performed at defined intervals;
• and
• c) determining to switch said virtual machine to implementing said second virtualization technique dependent on said potential reduction corresponding to a net improvement in the execution performance of said guest operating system within said virtual machine.

A method of optimizing the performance of a virtual machine as executed on a computer system platform, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) collecting data reflecting virtualization overhead incurred in the execution of a guest operating system in conjunction with a virtual machine monitor, wherein said virtual machine implements a first virtualization technique enabling virtualized execution of a guest operating system within a virtual machine;
• b) computing, based on said data, a potential reduction in virtualization overhead by executing said guest operating system in conjunction with said virtual machine monitor implementing a second virtualization technique, said step of computing being performed at defined intervals;
• and
• c) determining to switch said virtual machine to implementing said second virtualization technique dependent on said potential reduction corresponding to a net improvement in the execution performance of said guest operating system within said virtual machine.