Efficient Memory Allocation Across Multiple Accessing Systems

A shared memory system, wherein the system comprises:

• a memory appliance including a memory space accessible via an interface device;
• a first virtual machine, wherein the first virtual machine is communicably coupled to the memory appliance with the interface device, wherein the first virtual machine is allocated a first portion of the memory space, and wherein the first virtual machine utilizes an data set;
• a second virtual machine, wherein the second virtual machine is communicably coupled to the memory appliance with the interface device, wherein the second virtual machine is allocated a second portion of the memory space, and wherein the second virtual machine utilizes the data set;
• and
• wherein the memory appliance is operable to direct an access to the data set by the first virtual machine and the second virtual machine to a common physical address in the memory space.

A method for distributing memory resources in a processing environment, the method comprising:

• providing a memory appliance, wherein the memory appliance includes a memory space and an interface device;
• communicably coupling a first virtual machine to the memory appliance via the memory appliance, wherein the first virtual machine uses an data set;
• communicably coupling a first virtual machine to the memory appliance via the memory appliance, wherein the second virtual machine uses the data set;
• allocating a first portion of the memory space to the first virtual machine;
• allocating a second portion of the memory space to the second virtual machine;
• and
• allocating a third portion of the memory space including at least a portion of the data set to both the first virtual machine and the second virtual machine.