Method and apparatus for a primary operating system and an appliance operating system

Abstract

One embodiment includes a personal computer device comprising at least one machine configured to execute a primary user operating system and at least one appliance operating system independent from the primary user operating system. The personal computer device also including a system memory including a first portion of the system memory configured to be used by the primary user operating system; and a second portion of the system memory configured to be sequestered from the primary user operating system. The personal computer device further including an access violation monitor configured to restrict access from the at least one appliance operating system to the second portion of the system memory

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 at least one machine configured to execute a primary user operating system and at least one appliance operating system independent from the primary user operating system;   a system memory including:
 a first portion of the system memory configured to be used by the primary user operating system; and 
 a second portion of the system memory configured to be sequestered from the primary user operating system; and 
   an access violation monitor configured to restrict access from the at least one appliance operating system to the second portion of the system memory.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the access violation monitor is configured to run only when the at least one appliance operating system is invoked. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one appliance operating system is configured to be invoked only after the primary user operating system has been suspended to a standby state by storing a context of the primary operating system in the first portion of the system memory, the context enabling the resumption of the primary operating system. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a virtual machine monitor, and wherein the virtual machine monitor is to determine which of the at least one appliance operating systems is to be invoked. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one appliance operating system is a digital versatile disc (DVD) player controller. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one appliance operating system is a secure internet browser. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one appliance operating system is configured to provide voice over internet protocol (VOIP). 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one machine comprises a virtual machine, the at least one appliance operating system executing within the virtual machine. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the access violation monitor configured to restrict access from the at least one appliance operating system to the second portion of the system memory by assigning all the devices and interrupts directly to the at least one appliance operating system. 
     
     
         10 . A method of operating a personal computer device comprising:
 at least one machine of the personal computer device executing a user operating system;   suspending the user operating system including storing a context of the user operating system, the context enabling resumption of the user operating system;   executing an appliance operating system by the at least one machine, the appliance operating system being independent of the user operating system in a reserved section of system memory; and   restricting the appliance operating system to the reserved section of system memory.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein storing the context of the user operating system includes storing the context in random access memory (RAM). 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein restricting the appliance operating system includes executing the appliance operating system in a virtual machine. 
     
     
         13 . The method recited in  claim 10 , wherein restricting the appliance operating system includes at least one of maintaining a second layer of page tables configured to virtualize the system memory or assigning system memory interrupts to the appliance operating system. 
     
     
         14 . The method recited in  claim 10 , further comprising resuming the user operating system based on the context in response to the appliance operating system terminating. 
     
     
         15 . A machine-accessible medium having associated instructions, wherein the instructions, when accessed, result in a machine performing operations comprising:
 at least one machine of a personal computer device executing a user operating system;   suspending the user operating system including storing a context of the user operating system, the context enabling resumption of the user operating system;   executing an appliance operating system by the at least one machine, the appliance operating system being independent of the user operating system in a reserved section of system memory; and   restricting the appliance operating system to the reserved section of system memory.