Skip to main content

Micro kernel architecture

 Micro kernel architecture

What is Kernel?

A kernel is an important part of an OS that manages system resources. It also acts as a bridge between the software and hardware of the computer. It is one of the first program which is loaded on start-up after the bootloader. The Kernel is also responsible for offering secure access to the machine's hardware for various programs. It also decides when and how long a certain application uses specific hardware.

What is Microkernel?

Microkernel is a software or code which contains the required minimum amount of functions, data, and features to implement an operating system. It provides a minimal number of mechanisms, which is good enough to run the most basic functions of an operating system. It allows other parts of the operating system to be implemented as it does not impose a lot of policies.

Microkernels and their user environments are usually implemented in the C++ or C programming languages with a little bit of assembly. However, other implementation languages are possible with some high-level coding.

What is a Monolithic Kernel?

Monolithic Kernel runs all the basic system services like process management, Memory management, I/O communication, and interrupt handling, file system, etc in kernel space.

In this type of Kernel approach, the entire operating system runs as a single program in kernel mode. The operating system is written as a collection of procedures that are linked together into a large executable binary program.

1. Monolithic architecture

2.    Layerd archtecture.

3.     Virtual machine architecture

4.     Exokernel architecture

5.    Client server architecture 

6.     Micro kernel architecture

Microkernel Architecture

A Microkernel is the most important part for correct implementation of an operating system. You can see in the below-given diagram, that Microkernel fulfills basic operations like memory, process scheduling mechanisms, and inter-process communication.

Microkernel Based Operating System

Microkernel is the only software executing at the privileged level. The other important functionalities of the OS are removed from the kernel-mode and run in the user mode. These functionalities may be device drivers, application, file servers, interprocess communication, etc.

Components of Microkernel

A microkernel comprises only the core functionalities of the system. A component is included in the Microkernel only if putting it outside would interrupt the functionality of the system. All other non-essential components should be put in the user mode.

The minimum functionalities required in the Microkernel are:

  • Memory management mechanisms like address spaces should be included in the Microkernel. It also contains memory protection features.
  • Processor scheduling mechanisms should contain process and thread schedulers.
  • Inter-process communication manages the servers that run their own address spaces.

Difference Between Microkernel and Monolithic Kernel

ParametersMonolithic kernelMicroKernel
BasicIt is a large process running in a single address spaceIt can be broken down into separate processes called servers.
CodeIn order to write a monolithic kernel, less code is required.In order to write a microkernel, more code is required
SecurityIf a service crashes, the whole system collapses in a monolithic kernel.If a service crashes, it never affects the working of a microkernel.
CommunicationIt is a single static binary fileServers communicate through IPC.
ExampleLinux, BSDs, Microsoft Windows (95,98, Me), Solaris, OS-9, AIX, DOS, XTS-400, etc.L4Linux, QNX, SymbianK42, Mac OS X, Integrity, etc.

Advantages of Microkernel

Here, are the pros/benefits of using Microkernel

  • Microkernel architecture is small and isolated therefore it can function better.
  • Microkernels are secure because only those components are included that disrupt the functionality of the system otherwise.
  • The expansion of the system is more accessible, so it can be added to the system application without disturbing the Kernel.
  • Microkernels are modular, and the different modules can be replaced, reloaded, modified without even touching the Kernel.
  • Fewer system crashes when compared with monolithic systems.
  • Microkernel interface helps you to enforce a more modular system structure.
  • Without recompiling, add new features
  • Server malfunction is also isolated as any other user program's malfunction.
  • Microkernel system is flexible, so different strategies and APIs, implemented by different servers, which can coexist in the system.
  • Increased security and stability will result in a decreased amount of code which runs on kernel mode

Disadvantage of Microkernel

Here, are drawback/cons of using Microkernel:

  • Providing services in a microkernel system are expensive compared to the normal monolithic system.
  • Context switch or a function call needed when the drivers are implemented as procedures or processes, respectively.
  • The performance of a microkernel system can be indifferent and may lead to some problems.

Summary:

  • A kernel is an important part of an OS that manages system resources.
  • A microkernel is a software or code which contains the required minimum amount of functions, data, and features to implement an operating system.
  • In Monolithic Kernel approach, the entire operating system runs as a single program in kernel mode
  • A Microkernel is the most important part for correct implementation of an operating system.
  • A microkernel comprises only the core functionalities of the system.
  • A monolithic kernel is a large process running in a single address space, whereas Microkernel can be broken down into separate processes called servers.
  • Microkernel architecture is small and isolated therefore it can function better
  • Providing services in a microkernel system are expensive compared to the normal monolithic system.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Message Delivery Protocol

  Message Delivery Protocol ·          A protocol is a set of rules and conventions shared by communicating entities . ·          Message passing can be blocking or non blocking . ·          In blocking protocol , a sender process is blocked till the message selivered to the . in this case , sender process has guarantee that the message sent by it ie delivered before it continues its execution . A blocking protocol normally includes: 1.        Blocking send : the sender process is blocked until the message is received by the receiving process or by the mailbox. 2.        Blocking receive : the receiver nlocks until a message is available thus when both sender as well as receiver is blocked ,it is known as rebdevezevous . this combination allows for tight sysnchronization between process. ·...

Multitasking System

  Multitasking system ·           Technically , multitasking is same as multi programming ·           In a multitasking operating system, s single user can execute multiple programs at the same time ·           We can also say, multitasking is the system capability to work on more than one job or process at the same time. ·           It means that whenever a job needs to perform I/O operation, the cpu can be used for execting some other job                                                        diagram of multi tasking     ·           There are two type of multitasking : 1.       ...

Service provided By An Operating System.

  List of five service provided by an operating system. Explain how  each provides convenience to users?     The main purpose of operating system is to provide environment for the execution of programs. Thus an operating system provides certain services to program and the users of those programs. However , different operating system can provide different set of service. Some of the basis services provided by operating system are: 1.         Program execution ·          Operating system provides a convenient environment where users can run their programs ·          The operating system performs memory allocation to programs, load them into appropriate location so that they can execute. The users need not to worry about all these tasks.   2.         I/O Operation ·        ...

Multi user Operating System

  Multi user operating system ·           In a multi-user operating system, multiple number of user can access different resources of a computer at a same time. ·           The access is provided using a network that consists of various personal computer attached to a mainframe computer system.                                                              diagram of multi -user operating system       ·           The various personal computer can send and receive information to mainframe computer system. ·           The example    of multi-user OS are UNIX, windows 2000,novell netware.            sing...

Easytolearn E-book 2

                                                                                                                                                                          Description:here we give you pdf. about classification of operating system in which  we provide all information of classification in detail.