Virtual input/output in a virtual environment

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the possibility of allowing an I/O channel, regarded as a special purpose processor, to execute a program allocated in the user's virtual space. The environment is a multiprogramming-multiaccess system with a virtual memory implemented by paging. The proposed system is outlined, and the extra logical requirements for the channel are pointed out. The most relevant advantages are: I) The process information is treated in the virtual space, homogeneously; II) channel programs and their priorities can be dynamically modified; III) lower system overhead and greater flexibility are achieved.