Method and system for creating and utilizing virtual hardware resources

摘要

A data-processing method and system generally comprises identifying a plurality of hardware resources associated with a data-processing apparatus, time-slicing the plurality of hardware resources. Thereafter the plurality of active hardware resources can be allocated among a plurality of active hardware resources associated with the data-processing apparatus, thereby allowing a limited number of hardware resources to service a larger number of physical devices associated with the data-processing apparatus. An appropriate hardware resource can be selected from among the plurality of active hardware resources utilizing one or more swapping algorithms.

主权项

1. A data-processing method comprising:
arranging a plurality of I/O devices in a sequential order; identifying a plurality of hardware resources associated with a data-processing apparatus; time-slicing said plurality of hardware resources by executing a program instruction utilizing a computer; allocating said plurality of active hardware resources among a plurality of active hardware device indices associated with said data-processing apparatus; and freeing said hardware device indices when said associated active hardware resource is allocated to one of a plurality of drives associated with or in communication with said data-processing apparatus, thereby allowing a limited number of hardware resources to service a larger number of physical devices associated with said data-processing apparatus by executing a program instruction utilizing a computer.