Data processing system and method having an operating system that communicates with an accelerator independently of a hypervisor

A data processing system includes one or more processors that each execute one or more operating systems. Each operating system includes one or more applications. An accelerator provides a shared resource for a plurality of the applications and has one or more input/output interfaces for the submission of tasks to the accelerator from an application. A hypervisor manages the allocation of the input/output interfaces to the one or more operating systems and a hypervisor interface enables communication between the hypervisor and the accelerator. The system is capable of being configured such that an operating system that has been allocated an input/output interface is capable of communicating with the accelerator via the input/output interface independently of the hypervisor. A memory management unit is capable of providing an isolated region of a memory for use by the operating system while the operating system retains its allocated input/output interface.