SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RUNNING A LEGACY 32-BIT X86 VIRTUAL MACHINE ON A 64-BIT X86 PROCESSOR

摘要

The present invention provides a virtualized computing system and methods for transitioning in real time between LONG SUPER-MODE and LEGACY SUPER-MODE in the x86-64 architecture. In doing so, a virtual machine, which relies on the traditional 32-bit modes, i.e., REAL MODE and PROTECTED MODE (V86 SUB-MODE, RING-0 SUB-MODE, and RING-3 SUB-MODE), is able to run alongside other applications on x86-64 computer hardware(i.e., 64-bit). The method of performing a temporary processor mode context switch includes the steps of the virtual machine monitor;s setting up a "virtual=real" page, placing the transition code for performing the processor mode context switch on this page, jumping to this page, disabling the memory management unit (MMU) of the x86-64 computer hardware, modifying the mode control register to set either the LONG SUPER-MODE bit or LEGACY SUPER-MODE bit, loading a new page table, and reativating the MMU of the x86-64 computer hardware.