Linux architecture: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 20:12, 16 May 2008

Revision as of 00:51, 3 February 2009

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== Kernel -or- System Software ==

The '''[[Linux kernel''']] includes true multitasking, [[virtual memory]], [[shared library|shared libraries]], demand loading, shared [[copy-on-write]] executables, proper [[memory management]], and [[TCP/IP]] [[computer network|networking]].

Today Linux is a module-loading [[monolithic kernel]]. [[Device driver]]s and kernel extensions typically run in [[ring 0]], with full access to the hardware, although some run in [[user space]]. Unlike standard monolithic kernels, device drivers are easily configured as [[module (Linux)|modules]], and loaded or unloaded while running the system. Also unlike standard monolithic kernels, device drivers can be pre-empted under certain conditions. This latter feature was added to handle [[hardware interrupt]]s correctly, and to improve support for [[symmetric multiprocessing]]. Preemption also improves latency, increasing responsiveness and making Linux more suitable for real-time applications.