Min Xu (Hsu) wrote:
> On Fri, 05 Dec 2008 Cam Macdonell wrote :
>> I can certainly see how a datagram model has some advantages.  But, I'm 
>> trying to do caching and for this purpose using shared memory requires 
>> less concurrent programming (threads, etc) and it reduces unnecessary 
>> copying of the data.  I'm looking at VMs in the context of distributed 
>> high-performance computing.  Our VMs are disposable sandboxes in this 
>> use, so suspension and replay are not features we need.
> 
> I see. This use case does make sense to me. Thanks a lot for sharing it.
> I wonder does the shared memory punch a hole in your sandboxes in that a
> incorrect program in one VM can change the shared memory in a way to
> crash other VMs? Perhaps the shared memory is readonly from the VMs?
> 

The idea, whether it will work or not, is that the cache will only be 
used as an optimization.  The VMs will always have the regular file 
system API to access the files, but if the file is in the cache it will 
use that.  As for inconsistent data causing problems, it will require 
checks that prevent that from happening and synchronization to prevent 
multiple writers.

> If you are caching a readonly FS, maybe there is a better way?

Not just readonly, but mostly reading.  I'm always interested in hearing 
of better ways!

Cam

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