Patent ID: 7454756
Filing Date: 2008-11-18
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for sharing a physical device amongst at least first and second virtual machines (“VMs”) in a processing system, the method comprising: configuring the processing system to enable the first VM to directly access the physical device and to utilize full functionality of the physical device; a predetermined time after configuring the processing system to enable the first VM to directly access the physical device and to utilize full functionality of the physical device, performing operations comprising: a predetermined time after restarting the physical device for the second VM, performing operations comprising: suspending the first VM prior to loading the device state for the second VM; suspending the second VM prior to loading the device state for the first VM; and periodically repeating the operations of idling the physical device, saving device state for a current VM, reloading device state for a next VM, and restarting the physical device to enable the next VM to directly access the physical device and to utilize full functionality of the physical device, according to a round robin schedule for the first and second VMs, wherein the predetermined times correspond to a configurable rate for switching between VMs.