Distributed support mechanism for single address space operating systems

New 64-bit microprocessors, such as the DEC Alpha, PowerPC, MIPS R10000 and HP PA-RISC, provide a huge address space for operating systems and applications. Operating system researchers are reconsidering the way operating systems use the new huge virtual address space. A 64-bit address space is large enough for all the code and data available in a medium scale distributed computer system. Given this address space, it is no longer necessary to create a new virtual address space for every process. It is possible to design a single address operating system (SASOS) in which every process shares one global address space.;Though SASOS's have many advantages over traditional operating systems, they also create new problems: (1) handling distribution, (2) managing the shared address space and (3) providing privacy and protection in a single address space. This dissertation presents the design of a distribution support mechanism for a SASOS called MDS (Memory system design for a Distributed SASOS). MDS concentrates on the memory system and the protection issues associated with the design of a distributed SASOS.;With the 64-bit address space, it is now possible to combine local, secondary and remote storage into a single address space. The single virtual address space provides a uniform method for naming and accessing objects regardless of their location, removes the distinction between persistent and transient data, and simplifies the migration of data and processes. In addition, the removal of encapsulating boundaries associated with processes makes possible much more flexible associations between protection domains, execution state, users and virtual addresses.