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==Description==
[[File:OS-structure2.svg|thumb|right|400px|Structure of monolithic kernel, microkernel and hybrid kernel-based operating systems]]
A distributed OS provides the essential services and functionality required of an OS but adds attributes and particular [[Computer configuration|configurations]] to allow it to support additional requirements such as increased scale and availability. To a user, a distributed OS works in a manner similar to a single-node, [[Monolithic kernel|monolithic operating system]].
Separating minimal system-level functionality from additional user-level modular services provides a "[[separation of mechanism and policy]]". Mechanism and policy can be simply interpreted as "what something is done" versus "how something is done," respectively. This separation increases flexibility and scalability.<!-- is this separation part of the definition or a desirable feature? isn't the reason for separating the kernel from services about hardware independent services rather than anything to do with scalability and flexibility? e.g., monolithic software can still support distributed requirements. and it's not clear what policy has to do with this topic. -->
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