The SawMill Framework for Virtual Memory Diversity
Mohit Aron, Jochen Liedtke, Kevin J. Elphinstone, Yoonho Park, Trent Jaeger, Luke Deller · 1999
We present a framework that allows applications to build and customize VM services on the L4 microkernel. While the L4 microkernel's abstractions are quite powerful, using these abstractions effectively requires higher-level paradigms. We propose the dataspace paradigm which provides a modular VM framework. The modularity introduced by the dataspace paradigm facilitates implementation and permits dynamic configurability. Initial performance results from a prototype are promising. 1 Introduction We argue that a virtual-memory system (VM) designed to support a wide variety of applications should have the following features: VM diversity: Applications should be able to build and customize the VM according to their needs. They should have complete control over the VM policies. The alternative that frequently occurs in practice is that application programmers settle for a policy in the kernel that comes closest to providing the right level of service. Dynamic extensibility: Applicat...