Patent ID: 7840962

Claim:
A computer-implemented method comprising: receiving a request for a virtual machine (VM) entry, the VM entry request including a request for transitioning control from a virtual machine monitor (VMM) to a VM, the VMM having a timer configuration module including a VMM timer indicator; determining whether the VMM timer indicator is set to an enabling value indicating the timer configuration module is enabled to, if necessary, gain control back from the VM during an operation at the VM; if the VMM timer indicator is set to an enabling value, identifying a VMM timer value configured by the VMM prior to receiving the VM entry request, the VMM timer value representing a specific time at which the VMM is to receive the control back from the VM, and enabling the VMM timer using the VMM timer value, and transitioning control to the VM; if the VMM timer indicator is not set to an enabling value, transitioning control to the VM; executing a VM exit by returning the control back to the VMM from the VM in response to an event relating to the VM exit occurring at the VM.