John, I thought the debate over micro/monolithic kernel has been long since finished. True, there will be a few occasions when a micro kernel helps. However, a review of the distros shows that almost all of them are using module based kernels.
Are there still people out there discussing this topic? ====================================== A quick review of the meaning of the word "monolithic" (as it is used on the web) notes that linux is actually a monolithic kernel + modules. From http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?t=23330&sid=ebb28b8db70c4ca8afe3d907ed38385b Torvalds himself says: Quote: True, linux is monolithic, and I agree that microkernels are nicer. With a less argumentative subject, I'd probably have agreed with most of what you said. From a theoretical (and aesthetical) standpoint linux looses. If the GNU kernel had been ready last spring, I'd not have bothered to even start my project: the fact is that it wasn't and still isn't. Linux wins heavily on points of being available now. It would appear that a micro kernel implies the case where users can add modules (user space device drivers) http://www.superunprivileged.org/hurd/live-cd/different.html EEks. - lots of discussion here on the merits of that one.. I think, for the purposes of this thread, John has used the word micro kernel to indicate: a core kernel that does scheduling/memory/interrupts etc + modules for extra things. Indeed, you will note the subject line is "not quite monolithic kernel", which is the linux situation. a monolithic kernel indicates the situation where all drivers etc are compiled into one big binary structure, that manages scheduling/memory/interrupts and all devices + file systems + . ==================================== Derek. On Wed, 13 Feb 2008, John Carter wrote: > What ever the merits of the grand debate about Micro vs Monolithic Kernels > are.... > > ...here is a curious data point. > > > My CD writer ceased to write. Cease to notice blank disks. .. Lots deleted, essentially, with a module based kernel it could be fixed without a reboot. A monolithic kernel would have required a reboot. > -- Derek Smithies Ph.D. IndraNet Technologies Ltd. Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ph +64 3 365 6485 Web: http://www.indranet-technologies.com/
