Implementing the Extended Memory Under UNIX

Extended memory is implemented under UNIX using a memory mapped file with memory protection ( protect/unprotect).

Roll-in means removing the protection for a context in the extended memory and roll-out means protecting a context.

All user contexts are always mapped in the virtual address space for each work process. At the beginning, all the contexts are protected.

The following graphic displays two work processes that are accessing a common resource.

Work process 1 removes the protection for the context from user x, mode y. To do this, this context is locked for all other work processes. After processing, the protection is restored. Now, work process 2 can process this context.