JPH04348434A - Virtual computer system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the working efficiency and the operation convenience of an information processor by shifting the main storage of a designated virtual computer without affecting the user of this computer. CONSTITUTION:In a computer system having a division form of an LPAR mode, the hardware resources are divided exclusively or in time division into logical LPARs in the LPAR mode. The main storage assigned to each LPAR consists of an SVP 5 containing an LPAR frame, an LPAR control part 6 which controls the operation commands, etc., to be given to each LPAR, an LIP control part 7 which controls a guest with the instruction of the part 6, and a resource control part 8 which controls all physical resource information on the LPARs. In such a constitution, the main storage is shifted. Then the main storage origin of each LPAR is changed and the storage area becomes mobable.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a virtual computer system, and in particular to LPAR (Logically Part
It is effective when applied to a virtual computer system equipped with a tioned (logical partitioning) function, where it is possible to move the main memory origin to a designated area by dynamic reorganization of the main memory in each virtual machine. related to technology.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a main memory reorganization technique in a virtual computer system, a technique having a function of expanding and degenerating the main memory of a virtual computer is known.

0003

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, the origin of the main memory is not changed.

[0004] For example, if one virtual computer allocates the central part of physical main memory and is already using basic software (such as an OS), the main memory necessary for another virtual computer cannot be allocated contiguously. In this case, the conventional technology stops the first virtual machine, resets the main memory origin, and re-IPLs the OS etc. after the system initialization.
initial Program Loader).

[0005] Therefore, in developing dynamic reorganization of main memory and virtual memory for a virtual computer, the present inventor investigated effective functions from the viewpoint of usability and decided to divide the physically installed main memory. We discovered that it is possible to construct a virtual machine for each divided main memory.

That is, an object of the present invention is to leave the state of the first virtual machine as it is, move the main memory origin to a specified area, and transfer the main memory to the other virtual machine when main memory is not allocated to the other virtual machine. An object of the present invention is to provide a virtual computer system that can improve the efficiency and usability of an information processing device by making it usable.

The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] Among the inventions disclosed in this application, a brief overview of typical inventions will be as follows.
It is as follows.

That is, the virtual computer system of the present invention is a virtual computer system that includes at least an information processing device and a service processor that provides an operator interface for the information processing device, and includes hardware that controls a plurality of virtual computers. a mechanism, a logical partitioning means for logically partitioning this hardware mechanism in an exclusive or time-sharing manner, and a logical partitioning means for multiple virtual machines to change the main memory origin of a specified virtual machine and move the main memory area. and a main memory moving means.

[0010] Furthermore, when the plurality of virtual machines are using all of the physical main memories, the main memory areas of at least two or more virtual machines are dynamically exchanged.

Furthermore, when the main storage area of one of the virtual computers is expanded while the plurality of virtual computers are in operation, the main storage area of the other virtual computer can be freely moved.

0012

[Operation] According to the above-mentioned virtual computer system, by providing a hardware mechanism, a logical partition means, and a main memory moving means, if a plurality of virtual machines are using all of the physical main memory, for example, the operation at least 2
When exchanging the main memory areas of two or more virtual machines or expanding the main memory area of one virtual machine while multiple virtual machines are running, you can freely move the main memory area of the other virtual machine. As a result, it is possible to freely change the main memory origin assigned to each of the multiple virtual machines running on the hardware mechanism.

That is, when the main memory origin of a designated virtual machine partitioned by the logical partitioning means is operated by the main memory moving means, this operation is read out from the service processor, and the main memory is sent to the control unit of the designated virtual machine. Notify us that you wish to change your origin. Then, the control section stops the logically connected instruction processor control section.

Next, the validity of the specified main memory origin is confirmed with the resource management unit that manages the physical resources of all virtual machines, and after confirming that it can be moved to the specified area, the virtual machine is controlled. The section moves data page by page. Then, SALE (Set Address) the range of the new main memory area of this virtual machine to the input/output processor.
ss Limit Extendes) command, and finally SIE (Start Interpretation).
(Execution) Change the area of the main memory origin in the parameter of the instruction and restart the instruction processor control unit.

[0015] This makes it possible to move the main memory of the designated virtual machine without affecting the users of this virtual machine.

[0016]

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware resource configuration of a virtual computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the main memory migration processing procedure by the memory migration means. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the main memory allocation by the logical partitioning means in this embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the main memory allocation after the main memory migration processing in this embodiment. FIG.

First, the hardware resource configuration of the virtual computer system of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG.

The hardware resources of the virtual computer system of this embodiment are, for example, in LPAR mode (logical partition means).
It is a virtual computer system with a new partitioning form called 4 sets of instruction processors (IP1 to IP4) 1, main memory/virtual memory (MS/ES) 2, channel path (CH) 3, and device (DEVICE). ) 4, and the device 4 is divided into four virtual machine groups for use.

[0019] Furthermore, the above hardware resources are LPA
In R mode, it is divided exclusively or time-divisionally into LPARs, which are logical computer systems. That is, in the above hardware configuration, the instruction processor 1 is allocated to each LPAR by time division, and other hardware is exclusively divided.

Then, the main memory assigned to each LPAR is dynamically reconfigured by the main memory migration process (main memory migration means) as shown in FIG. It has a function that allows the main memory area to be moved by changing the main memory origin.

That is, the main memory migration process is performed using an SVP (Se
(rvice processor) 5, an LPAR control unit 6 that controls operation commands to each LPAR, and
LIP (Logical Inst.
control unit 7 and a resource management unit 8 that manages all physical resource information of all LPARs.
It is executed by the configuration.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 2, for example, when two LPARs are operated.

[0023] First, the MS origin and MS size defined before each LPAR starts operating are as shown in Fig. 3(a), and the MS gap is between this LPAR and the MS size.
This shows the size of the unused area between the upper LPAR and the upper LPAR. That is, since there is no MS gap between LPAR1 and LPAR2, the MS gap of LPAR1 is "0".

Furthermore, the allocation state of the main memory when the two defined LPARs are in operation is shown in FIG. 3(b).
As shown in
Up to 8MB is allocated, remaining MS = 12
5 Mbytes is an unallocated area.

[0025] Then, while the two LPARs are in operation, the LP
When it becomes necessary to expand the MS area of AR1, the main memory movement (MOVE MS) function of the present invention can be used.

First, for example, in the LPAR frame on SVP5, a MOVE MS command (hereinafter referred to as MVSTOR command) is sent to LPAR2 with MS0=19.
Specify 2. This operation causes the control to
The process moves from P5 to the LPAR control unit 6 of LPAR2.

[0027] Then, in the LPAR control unit 6, first, the LI
Instructs the LIP control unit 7 to stop the L
The IP control unit 7 puts the LIP, that is, the guest of LPAR2, in a stopped state (processing flow 201).

Furthermore, the CPU waits for a maximum of 10 seconds for all I/O devices connected to this LPAR2 to avoid the BUSY state (processing flow 202). Usually, L.I.P.
When stopped, the I/O device can immediately avoid the BUSY state, but a 10 second timer is provided for special cases.

For example, in the case of a timeout, a message to that effect is output and a BUSY I/O device is pointed out. The necessity of this processing flow 202 is to prevent the possibility of accessing the conventional area (pre-operation area) by an I/O command because the IOP is in operation although the LIP was stopped in the processing flow 201. It is.

[0030] Then, the resource management unit 8 checks whether the MS origin (192 Mbytes in this case) specified by the command has been overthrown, that is, whether it can be moved (processing flow 203). Here, the resource management unit 8 holds MS maps of all LPARs, and from the specified MS origin, other LPARs are
Check whether R is not using it.

In this embodiment, LPAR2 uses the MS origin from 192 Mbytes to 384 Mbytes, and the rest after 384 Mbytes is unallocated and can be moved. Then, the resource management unit 8 issues a SALE command to the IOP when MS movement is possible, and notifies the MS range of the updated LPAR.

Next, actual memory transfer processing will be explained based on processing flows 204 to 209.

First, a start address of data to be transferred and a start address of a transfer destination address are set (processing flow 204). In this embodiment, the pre-transfer address is 384 Mbytes - 1 page, and the transfer destination address is 448 Mbytes - 1 page. That is, starting from the transfer destination address, the address is decreased one page at a time.

Then, the KEY in the pre-transfer area is read (processing flow 205) and saved in the register. and,
Data is transferred to the transfer destination area from the address obtained in process flow 204 (process flow 206), and the KEY read earlier is set in this transfer destination area (process flow 207). This means that the memory transfer for one page is completed.

Furthermore, the addresses of the next area to be transferred and the destination area are updated (processing flow 208). In this embodiment, the amount is decreased one page at a time, and this process is
Repeat for the MS size of PAR (page unit).

With this, the MS transfer process ends (processing flow 209). Finally, to restart LIP,
An instruction is issued to the LIP control unit 7. At this time, the LIP control section 7
In order to set the new MS origin, after updating the SD, the LIP, that is, the guest of LPAR2 is started (processing flow 210). Furthermore, the result of the MVSTOR command is reported for the frame on the SVP 5 (processing flow 211). In this example, the MVSTOR command completes normally.

In this case, the LPAR MS allocation status after the MVSTOR command ends is shown in FIG. 4(a).
The LP is now as shown in
Since the MS gap of AR1 is created, LPAR1 can increase the number of MSs by this MS gap. In addition, the MS allocation status of LPAR1 and 2 is shown in Figure 4 (
As shown in b), LPAR2 can still be moved by 61 Mbytes in the upper MS direction.

As described above, it is possible to expand the MS of LPAR1 without affecting the operating state of LPAR2.

Therefore, according to the virtual computer system of this embodiment, in a virtual computer system having an LPAR mode function, it is possible to freely change the main memory origin of each LPAR within the physical main memory and move the main memory area. MVS
Since the TOR command can be provided, there is no need to stop a running virtual machine and re-IPL it after resetting the main memory origin as in the past, and it can be relocated to another main memory area. It becomes possible to continue using the virtual machine.

Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically explained based on examples, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned examples, and can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof. Needless to say.

[0041] In the above explanation, the invention made by the present inventor was mainly applied to the field of application, which is a virtual computer system equipped with an LPAR function. It is also widely applicable to virtual computer systems.

[0042]

[Effects of the Invention] Among the inventions disclosed in this application, the effects obtained by the typical inventions are briefly explained as follows.
It is as follows.

That is, a hardware mechanism for controlling a plurality of virtual machines, a logical partition means for logically partitioning this hardware mechanism either exclusively or in a time-sharing manner, and a designated virtual machine by the logical partition means for the plurality of virtual machines. By providing a main memory moving means that changes the main memory origin of the computer and moves the main memory area, for example, when multiple virtual computers are using all of the physical main memory, at least two When exchanging the main memory areas of two or more virtual machines, or expanding the main memory area of one virtual machine while multiple virtual machines are running, you can freely move the main memory area of the other virtual machine. You can obtain functions that allow you to

[0044] This makes it possible to freely change the allocated main memory origins of multiple virtual machines running on the hardware mechanism and relocate them to other main memory without stopping the running virtual machines. It becomes possible to continue using the virtual machine inside.

[0045] As a result, a virtual computer system is realized in which the main memory of a designated virtual machine can be moved without affecting the users of this virtual machine, thereby making it possible to improve the efficiency and usability of an information processing device. can be obtained.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware resource configuration of a virtual computer system that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a main memory migration means in the virtual computer system of this embodiment and a main memory migration processing procedure by this main memory migration means.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing main memory allocation by logical partitioning means in this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing main memory allocation after main memory migration processing in this embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Instruction processor 2 Main memory/virtual memory 3 Channel path 4 Device 5 SVP 6 LPAR control section 7 LIP control section 8 Resource Management Department

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A virtual computer system comprising at least an information processing device and a service processor that provides an operator interface for the information processing device, the system comprising a hardware mechanism for controlling a plurality of virtual computers, and a hardware mechanism for controlling the hardware mechanism. a logical partitioning means for logically partitioning the plurality of virtual machines in an exclusive or time-sharing manner; and a main memory moving means for changing the main memory origin of a designated virtual machine by the logical partitioning means to move the main memory area of the plurality of virtual machines. A virtual computer system, characterized in that the allocated main memory origin of each of the plurality of virtual machines running on the hardware mechanism is freely changed. 2. The main memory area of at least two or more virtual machines is dynamically exchanged when the plurality of virtual machines are using all of the physical main memory. virtual computer system. 3. When expanding the main storage area of one of the virtual computers while the plurality of virtual computers are in operation, the main storage area of the other virtual computer is freely moved. virtual computer system.