User Threads

Each process in the SunOS operating system has an address space that contains one or more lightweight processes (LWPs), each of which in turn runs one or more user threads. Figure 4-1 shows the relationship between threads, LWPs, and processes. An LWP schedules its user threads and runs one user thread at a time, though multiple LWPs may run concurrently. User threads are handled in user space.

The LWP is the interface between user threads and the kernel. The LWP can be thought of as a virtual CPU that schedules user thread execution. When a user thread issues a system call, the LWP running the thread calls into the kernel and remains bound to the thread at least until the system call is complete. When an LWP is running in the kernel, executing a system call on behalf of a user thread, it runs one kernel thread. Each LWP is therefore associated with exactly one kernel thread.