Optimized extended context management for virtual machines

A method comprising:

• executing a virtual machine using a guest space;
• storing a guest state in an extended state register based on the execution of the virtual machine, wherein the virtual machine has access to the extended state register;
• receiving an instruction for handling a process outside of the guest space;
• saving a copy of the guest state in a reserve memory outside the extended state register;
• determining whether a kernel is configured to handle the process using a kernel space;
• responsive to determining that the kernel is configured to handle the process using the kernel space:
• handling the process using the kernel space without using a user space;
• after handling the process using the kernel space, resuming execution of the virtual machine using the guest space;
• and
• responsive to determining that the kernel is not configured to handle the process using the kernel space:
• restoring a user state in the extended state register;
• handling the process using the user space;
• storing an updated user state in the extended state register;
• saving a copy of the updated user state in the reserve memory outside the extended state register;
• after handling the process using the user space and saving the copy of the updated user state, restoring the guest state in the extended state register;
• after restoring the guest state in the extended state register, resuming execution of the virtual machine using the guest space.

A computer-readable storage medium storing executable instructions which, when executed by a computer system, cause the computer system to:

• execute a virtual machine using a guest space;
• store a guest state in an extended state register based on the execution of the virtual machine, wherein the virtual machine has access to the extended state register;
• receive an instruction for handling a process outside of the guest space;
• save a copy of the guest state in a reserve memory outside the extended state register;
• determine whether a kernel is configured to handle the process using a kernel space;
• responsive to determining that the kernel is configured to handle the process using the kernel space:
• handle the process using the kernel space without using a user space;
• after handling the process using the kernel space, resume execution of the virtual machine using the guest space;
• and
• responsive to determining that the kernel is not configured to handle the process using the kernel space:
• restore a user state in the extended state register;
• handle the process using the user space;
• store an updated user state in the extended state register;
• save a copy of the updated user state in the reserve memory outside the extended state register;
• after handling the process using the user space and saving the copy of the updated user state, restore the guest state in the extended state register;
• after restoring the guest state in the extended state register, resume execution of the virtual machine using the guest space.