Delivering interrupts directly to a virtual processor

A method comprising:

• receiving an interrupt request while a guest is running on a virtual processor;
• receiving a physical interrupt vector;
• translating the physical interrupt vector to a virtual interrupt vector based on an entry in an interrupt redirection data structure;
• determining, based on whether a trigger mode of the interrupt request is edge or level, whether the interrupt request is to be delivered to the virtual processor;
• and
• transferring control from the guest to a host if the interrupt request is not to be delivered to the virtual processor.

A system comprising:

• a memory to store a data structure to control a virtual machine having a virtual processor;
• and
• a physical processor including:
• an interface to receive an interrupt request and a physical interrupt vector;
• redirection logic to translate the physical interrupt vector to a virtual interrupt vector based on an entry in an interrupt redirection map in the data structure;
• delivery logic to determine, based on whether a trigger mode of the interrupt request is edge or level, whether the interrupt request is to be delivered to the virtual processor;
• and
• exit logic to transfer control of the processor from a guest to a host if the delivery logic determines that the interrupt request is not to be delivered to the virtual processor.