Method and system for invoking remote procedure calls

Abstract

A method and system that allows a client process to invoke a remote procedure. An operating system maintains a table with an entry for each remote procedure. Each entry of this table contains a signature that specifies a format in which parameters are exchanged between the client process and the remote procedure. When the client process requests the invocation of the remote procedure, the operating system creates a stack for the remote procedure. This stack is then mapped into the operating system's address space. By mapping the remote procedure's stack in this fashion, the operating system can simultaneously access the client's stack and the remote procedure's stack. The operating system then copies, in accordance with the remote procedure's signature, parameters directly from the client's stack to the remote procedure's stack. Once the parameters are copied, the remote procedure executes using the data contained on its own stack. When the substantive execution of the remote procedure is complete, the remote procedure traps back to the operating system. The operating system then copies, in accordance with the remote procedure's signature, return parameters from the remote procedure's stack to the client's stack. Once these parameters have been copied, the operating system returns to the client process so that the client process can continue with its execution.