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    Monolithic Kernels and Micro-Kernels

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    Shaurya Kapoor
    Monolithic kernels run all operating system services in kernel space as a single process, while microkernels reduce the kernel to basic functions and run most services as separate user space processes communicating via message passing. Hybrid kernels take aspects of both by dynamically loading some modules into the kernel on demand. Advantages of monolithic kernels include faster performance due to smaller code size, while microkernels offer better reliability if one service fails and easier maintenance through separation of modules. There is debate between proponents of each approach regarding whether performance or reliability should take priority in design.

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    Monolithic Kernels and Micro-Kernels

    Uploaded by

    Shaurya Kapoor
    15 views2 pages
    Monolithic kernels run all operating system services in kernel space as a single process, while microkernels reduce the kernel to basic functions and run most services as separate user space processes communicating via message passing. Hybrid kernels take aspects of both by dynamically loading some modules into the kernel on demand. Advantages of monolithic kernels include faster performance due to smaller code size, while microkernels offer better reliability if one service fails and easier maintenance through separation of modules. There is debate between proponents of each approach regarding whether performance or reliability should take priority in design.

    Original Description:

    Linux Notes for monolithic and microlithic kernels

    Original Title

    PMBOK1

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    Monolithic kernels run all operating system services in kernel space as a single process, while microkernels reduce the kernel to basic functions and run most services as separate user space processes communicating via message passing. Hybrid kernels take aspects of both by dynamically loading some modules into the kernel on demand. Advantages of monolithic kernels include faster performance due to smaller code size, while microkernels offer better reliability if one service fails and easier maintenance through separation of modules. There is debate between proponents of each approach regarding whether performance or reliability should take priority in design.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    15 views2 pages

    Monolithic Kernels and Micro-Kernels

    Uploaded by

    Shaurya Kapoor
    Monolithic kernels run all operating system services in kernel space as a single process, while microkernels reduce the kernel to basic functions and run most services as separate user space processes communicating via message passing. Hybrid kernels take aspects of both by dynamically loading some modules into the kernel on demand. Advantages of monolithic kernels include faster performance due to smaller code size, while microkernels offer better reliability if one service fails and easier maintenance through separation of modules. There is debate between proponents of each approach regarding whether performance or reliability should take priority in design.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Monolithic kernels and micro-kernels

    Introduction

    An operating system consists of two parts: a privileged mode called kernel space and
    unprivileged mode called user space. The separation is a need rather than an option
    otherwise process protection cannot be achieved. Depending on which processes run in
    what space, we can classify operating systems into three main architectures: Monolithic
    kernel, Microkernel and Hybrid or modular kernel operating systems.

    Monolithic Kernel

    You can think of a monolithic kernel OS as a single large static binary file process
    running entirely in a single address space. Basic OS services such as process
    management, memory management, interrupt handling, IO communication, file system,
    device drivers, networking, etc all run in kernel space. Entire services are loaded on boot
    up and reside in memory and work is done using system calls. Linux is an example on a
    monolithic kernel based OS.

    Monolithic Kernel Advantages


    Generally speaking a monolithic OS kernel is faster due to small source and compiled
    code size. Less code means also less bugs and security issues.

    Monolithic Kernel disadvantages


    Monolithic OS being a single big pile of code has disadvantages. For example, making
    changes is not easy and testing takes more time. It is hard to maintain, patch or extend.
    Bug fixing or adding new features requires the compilation of the whole source code
    which is a time and resource consuming process.

    Microkernel

    The idea behind microkernel OS is to reduce the kernel to only basic process
    communication and IO control and let other system services run in user space just like
    any other normal processes. These services are called servers and kept separate and run in
    different address spaces. Contrary to monolithic OS where services are directly invoked,
    communication in a microkernel is done via message passing (inter process
    communication IPC). Mac OS and WinNT are two examples on microkernel OS
    architecture.

    Microkernel Advantages
    Here some advantages to the microkernel OS architecture…
    1. Service separation has the advantage that if one service (called a server) fails
    others can still work so reliability is the primary feature. For example if a device
    driver crashes does not cause the entire system to crash. Only that driver need to
    be restarted rather than having the entire system die. This means more persistence
    as one server can be substituted with another. It also means maintenance is easier.
    2. Different services are built into special modules which can be loaded or unloaded
    when needed. Patches can be tested separately then swapped to take over on a
    production instance.
    3. Message passing allows independent communication and allows extensibility
    4. The fact that there is no need to reboot the kernel implies rapid test and
    development.
    5. Easy and faster integration with 3d party modules.

    Microkernel Disadvantages
    Here are some disadvantages to the microkernel approach…
    1. Memory foot print is large
    2. Potential performance loss (more software interfaces due to message passing)
    3. Message passing bugs are not easy to fix
    4. Process management is complex

    Hybrid kernel

    The hybrid approach is derived from the best of both micro and monolithic kernel
    architectures. Instead of loading the whole thing into memory, core modules are loaded
    dynamically to memory on demand. One disadvantage is that a module may destabilize a
    running kernel.

    The Linus Torvalds Andrew Tanenbaum Debate


    Linus Torvalds the main guy behind Linux is a strong proponent of monolithic kernels
    while Andrew Tanenbaum the creator of Minix OS is a supporter of microkernel.
    Tanenbaum says that microkernel is a better design principle especially when reliability is
    of uttermost importance. According to Tanenbaum, reliability scores over performance
    gains because microkernels allow building self healing systems.

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