Abstract: Scaling address space utilization in a multi-threaded, multi-processor computer, including attaching to process memory of an exporting process a region of virtual memory specified in a cross-memory descriptor; requesting, by an importing thread of an importing process having process memory, a lightweight attachment of the region of virtual memory to the process memory of the importing process for exclusive use by the importing thread; and lightweight attaching, by an operating system to the process memory of the importing process, the region of virtual memory for exclusive use by the importing thread.

Abstract: Scaling address space utilization in a multi-threaded, multi-processor computer, including attaching to process memory of an exporting process a region of virtual memory specified in a cross-memory descriptor; requesting, by an importing thread of an importing process having process memory, a lightweight attachment of the region of virtual memory to the process memory of the importing process for exclusive use by the importing thread; and lightweight attaching, by an operating system to the process memory of the importing process, the region of virtual memory for exclusive use by the importing thread.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for broadcasting information. A change in data used by a number of processors in the data processing system is identified. A message is sent to the number of processors in the data processing system in which the message is sent with a priority level equal to a set of routines that use the data in response to identifying the change. This message is responded to only when the recipient is at an interrupt priority less favored than the priority of the message. A flag is set for each of the number of processors to form a plurality of set flags for the message in which the plurality of set flags are located in memory locations used by the number of processors in which the plurality of set flags remains set until a response is made to the message.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for fast paging of a large memory block are provided. A request to physically remove a memory block device from a data processing system is received. A logical volume within disk space is dynamically allocated for a contiguous paging space. Multiple logical pages for the memory block devices are translated into multiple physical addresses for the memory block device. A single input/output request is issued to page out data located at the multiple physical addresses to the contiguous paging space, such that after the single request is complete, the memory block device can be safely removed. Further, when a replacement memory block device is detected, a single input/output request is issued to page in data located within the contiguous paging space to the replacement memory block.

Abstract: A virtual mode virtual memory manager method and apparatus are provided. Mechanisms are provided for allowing a virtual memory manager to operate in virtual mode utilizing virtual addresses for all of its own data structures, allowing for physical discontinuity of the physical memory backing those data structures. First order virtual memory manager metadata is included for resolving system wide virtual memory page faults. Second order virtual memory manager metadata is provided to resolve faults on the first order virtual memory manager metadata. The second order virtual memory manager metadata is associated with pinned entries in a page table and thus, faults on the second order virtual memory manager metadata cannot occur.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a dynamic alias page table are provided. With the apparatus and method, alias page table entries are added to an alias page table dynamically by determining if the alias page table has space for the entry and, if so, the entry describing the virtual address to physical address mapping is added to the alias page table and a successful completion is returned to the virtual memory manager. If the alias page table does not have space for the entry, a new page is used to map the next virtual page of the alias page table. This page must be marked as a fixed page if it not so marked already. This page is pinned in the software page frame table, and the hardware page table entry for this page is also pinned.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are disclosed for migrating real pages. A real page of data is established. Virtual addresses that are associated with the real addresses that are included within the real page are generated. A mapping table is established that includes mappings of the virtual addresses to these real addresses. A routine is executed that accesses the mapping table to obtain the mappings of virtual addresses to real addresses. The routine utilizes the virtual addresses to access the data that is stored in the real page. While the routine is executing, the data is migrated from the real page to a new real page. The mapping table is then updated while the routine is executing so that the routine utilizes the same virtual addresses to access the data that is now stored in the new real page. Execution of the routine continues while the mapping table is being updated.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing frames. Frames intended for isolation are identified in which the frames include in-use frames and free frames. Reservation of free frames from the frames identified as intended for isolation is requested. Successfully reserved frames are moved to an isolation list. In-use frames are marked, and unisolated/unmarked frames are identified. Any free frames in the unisolated frames are moved to the isolation list. In-use frames in the unisolated frames are marked and reservation of the in-use frames in the unisolated frames is released.

Abstract: A virtual mode virtual memory manager method and apparatus are provided. With the method and apparatus, mechanisms are provided for allowing a virtual memory manager to operate in virtual mode utilizing virtual addresses for all of its own data structures, thereby allowing for physical discontinuity of the physical memory backing those data structures. The method and apparatus include using first order virtual memory manager metadata for resolving system wide virtual memory page faults. Faults may occur on the first order virtual memory manager metadata and thus, second order virtual memory manager metadata is provided to resolve faults on the first order virtual memory manager metadata. The second order virtual memory manager metadata is associated with pinned entries in a page table and thus, faults on the second order virtual memory manager metadata cannot occur.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are disclosed for migrating real pages. A real page of data is established. Virtual addresses that are associated with the real addresses that are included within the real page are generated. A mapping table is established that includes mappings of the virtual addresses to these real addresses. A routine is executed that accesses the mapping table to obtain the mappings of virtual addresses to real addresses. The routine utilizes the virtual addresses to access the data that is stored in the real page. While the routine is executing, the data is migrated from the real page to a new real page. The mapping table is then updated while the routine is executing so that the routine utilizes the same virtual addresses to access the data that is now stored in the new real page. Execution of the routine continues while the mapping table is being updated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a dynamic alias page table are provided. With the apparatus and method, alias page table entries are added to an alias page table dynamically by determining if the alias page table has space for the entry and, if so, the entry describing the virtual address to physical address mapping is added to the alias page table and a successful completion is returned to the virtual memory manager. If the alias page table does not have space for the entry, a new page is used to map the next virtual page of the alias page table. This page must be marked as a fixed page if it not so marked already. This page is pinned in the software page frame table, and the hardware page table entry for this page is also pinned.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for broadcasting information. A change in data used by a number of processors in the data processing system is identified. A message is sent to the number of processors in the data processing system in which the message is sent with a priority level equal to a set of routines that use the data in response to identifying the change. This message is responded to only when the recipient is at an interrupt priority less favored than the priority of the message. A flag is set for each of the number of processors to form a plurality of set flags for the message in which the plurality of set flags are located in memory locations used by the number of processors in which the plurality of set flags remains set until a response is made to the message.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing frames. Frames intended for isolation are identified in which the frames include in-use frames and free frames. Reservation of free frames from the frames identified as intended for isolation is requested. Successfully reserved frames are moved to an isolation list. In-use frames are marked, and unisolated/unmarked frames are identified. Any free frames in the unisolated frames are moved to the isolation list. In-use frames in the unisolated frames are marked and reservation of the in-use frames in the unisolated frames is released.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for managing real pages, also called physical pages, and virtual pages, also called logical pages, in a virtually indexed cache that is implemented as two physical caches. A list of free real pages that is a doubly linked list with a single anchor in addition to the free real pages is created. The pages are sequentially associated with each other using two sets of pointers. A set of forward pointers are used with the first pointer connecting the anchor page to the first physical page in the list and subsequent pointers connecting subsequent pages with each other with the last page having a pointer pointing to the anchor page. A set of backward pointers are employed with the first pointer pointing from the anchor to the last page in the list with subsequent pointers traversing the list towards the first page with the first page having the last pointer pointing to the anchor page.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling AIX device driver (DD) created for a uniprocessor (UP) system to run unchanged on a symmetrical multiprocessor system (SMP). Device drivers are processed by a funnelling mechanism so that UP device drivers always runs on a "Master" processor in a multi-processor system. New device drivers written for the SMP system are permitted to bypass the funneling mechanism and proceed directly to execution on any available processor in the SMP system. Device registration services are provided which examine DD flags looking for a new unique flag indicating that the device driver is SMP enabled. If the flag is not present, then emulating a uniprocessor environment for execution of that device driver.