Patent ID: 7512826

Claim:
A method for providing virtualized time base in a logically partitioned data processing system, said method comprising: determining a time base for each one of a plurality of processor cores, said time base being used to indicate a current time to each one of said plurality of processor cores for which said time base is determined; synchronizing said time bases together for said plurality of processor cores wherein each one of said plurality of processor cores includes its own copy of a synchronized time base; generating, for one of said plurality of processor cores, a virtualized time base that is different from said synchronized time base but that remains synchronized with at least a portion of said synchronized time base; utilizing, by said one of said plurality of processor cores, said virtualized time base instead of said synchronized time base for indicating said current time to said one of said plurality of processor cores; said virtualized time base and said portion of said synchronized time base remaining in synchronization together; executing one of a first plurality of logical partitions on a first one of said plurality of processor cores in a first machine, said first one of said plurality of processor cores utilizing said synchronized time base; suspending processing of said one of said first plurality of logical partitions on said first machine; transmitting said one of said first plurality of logical partitions to a second machine for processing on one of a second plurality of processor cores that are included within said second machine; determining a second time base for each one of said second plurality of processor cores; synchronizing said second time bases together for said second plurality of processor cores wherein each one of said second plurality of processor cores includes its own copy of a second synchronized time base; generating a second virtualized time base for said one of said second plurality of processor cores, said second virtualized time base being different from said second synchronized time base but remaining synchronized with at least a portion of said second synchronized time base; and executing said one of said first plurality of logical partitions utilizing said one of said second plurality of processor cores, said one of said second plurality of processor cores utilizing said second virtualized time base.