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Microkernel: The Comeback?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the time-to-hash-this-out-all-again dept.

bariswheel writes "In a paper co-authored by the Microkernel Maestro Andrew Tanenbaum, the fragility of modern kernels are addressed: "Current operating systems have two characteristics that make them unreliable and insecure: They are huge and they have very poor fault isolation. The Linux kernel has more than 2.5 million lines of code; the Windows XP kernel is more than twice as large." Consider this analogy: "Modern ships have multiple compartments within the hull; if one compartment springs a leak, only that one is flooded, not the entire hull. Current operating systems are like ships before compartmentalization was invented: Every leak can sink the ship." Clearly one argument here is security and reliability has surpassed performance in terms of priorities. Let's see if our good friend Linus chimes in here; hopefully we'll have ourselves another friendly conversation."

5 of 722 comments (clear)

  1. The unsinkable Kernel by Random+Destruction · · Score: 5, Funny

    So this microkernel is the unsinkable kernel?
    FULL SPEED AHEAD!

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    :x
  2. Or... by Mr.+Underbridge · · Score: 5, Funny
    You could just have a small monolithic kernel, and do as much as possible in userland.

    Best of both worlds, no? Wow, I wish someone would make such an operating system...

  3. Re:Theory Vs. Practice by zhiwenchong · · Score: 5, Funny

    In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in practice, there is.

    - Jan L.A. van de Snepscheut

    Sorry, couldn't resist. ;-)

  4. Re:multicompartment isolation by gEvil+(beta) · · Score: 5, Funny

    So wait a second. In your analogy, which part of Linux plays the Leonardo DiCaprio role? (I'm curious to know which part of Linux I should take out back and kick repeatedly.)

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    This guy's the limit!
  5. Re:O Tanenbaum... by cbiltcliffe · · Score: 5, Funny

    O Tanenbaum, O Tanenbaum
    Your microk3rn3l rul3z!
    O Tanenbaum, O Tanenbaum
    Those m0n0lithic foolz!
    They build a kernel all-in-one,
    Where all the bugs can have free run.
    O Tanenbaum, O Tanenbaum
    Those Linux guys just drool. ;)

    --
    "City hall" in German is "Rathaus" Kinda explains a few things......