Patent ID: 8959512
Filing Date: 2015-02-17
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A system for improved memory usage in virtual machines, comprising: a server including a microprocessor, and a hypervisor executing thereon; a virtual machine running as a guest within the hypervisor, wherein the virtual machine includes a heap for storing software objects as part of a software application executing thereon, and wherein the heap can be garbage collected; and a guest operating system associated with the virtual machine and including communication channels to the hypervisor and to the virtual machine, for receiving information from the hypervisor regarding a memory space of the hypervisor, and from the virtual machine regarding the heap, for use in controlling the size of the heap; wherein, when the hypervisor determines that a reallocation of the memory space is necessary, a resize command is sent to the guest operating system, which determines if the heap is sufficiently large, and if not sends a resize command to the virtual machine to change the size of the heap.