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OS Lecture 4 Notes

The document discusses the kernel, the core component of an operating system that manages system resources and facilitates communication between hardware and software. It outlines the functions of the kernel, including process, memory, device, file system management, and security. Additionally, it describes various types of kernels such as monolithic, microkernel, hybrid, exo kernel, and nano kernel, highlighting their design philosophies and examples of operating systems that utilize them.

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4 views

OS Lecture 4 Notes

The document discusses the kernel, the core component of an operating system that manages system resources and facilitates communication between hardware and software. It outlines the functions of the kernel, including process, memory, device, file system management, and security. Additionally, it describes various types of kernels such as monolithic, microkernel, hybrid, exo kernel, and nano kernel, highlighting their design philosophies and examples of operating systems that utilize them.

Uploaded by

Imtiaz Ali
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lecture 4

Operating System
Kernel
• The kernel is the core component of an operating
system (OS) that acts as a bridge between hardware
and software.
• It manages system resources like CPU, memory, and
devices, ensuring that different applications can run
efficiently and securely.
Functions of Kernel
Process Management
• Manages running applications (processes) and their
execution.
• Handles process creation, scheduling, and termination.
• Uses scheduling algorithms to allocate CPU time
efficiently.
Memory Management
• Allocates and deallocates memory for processes.
• Manages virtual memory, swapping, and paging.
Kernel Functions (cont…)
• Device Management
• Communicates with hardware devices (printers, hard
drives, keyboards).
• Uses device drivers to enable software to interact with
hardware.
• File System Management
• Handles reading, writing, and organizing files.
• Ensures security and access control to files.
Kernel functions (cont…)
• Security and Access Control
• Implements user permissions and authentication.
• Prevents unauthorized access to system resources.
Types of Kernel
• Types of Kernels
• There are different types of kernels, each with its own
design philosophy.
• 🔸 Monolithic Kernel
• The entire OS runs as a single large program in kernel
space.
• All services (memory, process, file management) run
inside the kernel.
• Fast but less secure, as a bug can crash the whole
system.
• Example OS: Linux, Unix
Microkernel

• Only essential services run in the kernel, and others run


in user space.
• More secure but slower due to communication
overhead.
• Example OS: QNX, Minix
Hybrid Kernel

• A mix of monolithic and microkernel approaches.


• Some services run in the kernel for speed, while others
run in user space for security.
• Example OS: Windows, macOS
Exo Kernel
• The exokernel is a kernel architecture that directly
exposes hardware resources to applications, allowing
them to manage hardware without relying on kernel
abstractions.
• Exo Kernel can be used to create a more secure and
efficient web server. The web server software could run
as a separate process, isolated from the rest of the
system.
• Developed at the University of California, Berkeley.
• Example OS: Experimental research OS
Nano Kernel
• The goal of a nano kernel is to provide only the essential
functions required for the operation of a system while
delegating other functions to user-space processes.
• The goal of a nano kernel is to provide only the essential
functions required for the operation of a system while
delegating other functions to user-space processes.

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