The main difference between microkernel and monolithic kernel is that the microkernel based systems have OS and kernel services in separate address spaces whereas monolithic kernel based systems have OS and kernel services in the same address space. What’s difference btw microkernel and monolithic kernel?
Microkernel and monolithic kernel are two types of kernels. Kernel is the core of the operating system. Therefore, there is a special memory area to store critical kernel code. The kernel is an important component as it maintains the proper functioning of the entire system. It performs hardware and process management, file handling, and many other tasks.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Microkernel
– Definition, Functionality
2. What is Monolithic Kernel?
– Definition, Functionality
3. What is the difference between microkernel and monolithic kernel?
– Comparison of key differences
what is microkernel What’s difference btw microkernel and monolithic kernel?
Microkernel is a type of kernel that allows customization of the operating system. It runs in privileged mode and provides low-level address space management and inter-process communication (IPC). Additionally, operating system services such as the file system, virtual memory manager, and CPU scheduler sit on top of the microkernel. Each service has its own address space to make them secure. Additionally, applications also have their own address spaces. Therefore, there is protection between applications, OS services and kernel.
When the application requests the services of the operating system for a service, the services of the operating system communicate with each other to provide the required service to the application. Here, Inter-Process Communication (IPC) helps to establish this communication. In general, the microkernel-based operating system provides a high level of extensibility. It is also possible to customize the services of the operating system based on the requirements of the application.
What is the monolithic kernel?
In monolithic kernel based systems, each application has its own address space. Therefore, each application is safe. In addition, the kernel contains all the services of the operating system. Therefore, applications can request services from the kernel. Some operating system services are file system, CPU scheduler, network access, memory manager, etc. However, the operating system is in a separate address space. So it is safe from normal and malfunctioning apps.
If an application requires a service, the hardware address space of the application changes to the hardware address space of the operating system to run it.
Difference between microkernel and monolithic kernel
Definition
A microkernel is a type of kernel that provides mechanisms such as low-level address space management, thread management, and inter-process communication to implement an operating system. In contrast, a monolithic kernel is a type of kernel in operating systems where the entire operating system runs in kernel space. These definitions explain the main difference between micro kernel and monolithic kernel.
OS Services
One notable difference between the microkernel and monolithic kernel is that, in a microkernel-based system, the kernel and OS services are separate. But, in a monolithic kernel system, the kernel contains the services of the operating system.
Speed
Speed is also an important difference between microkernel and monolithic kernel. A microkernel system is slow, while the monolithic kernel system is fast.
faults
In a microkernel-based system, failure of one component will not affect the other components. However, in a monolithic kernel-based system, failure of one component will affect the entire system. Therefore, this is also an important difference between microkernel and monolithic kernel.
Personalization
Another difference between the microkernel and the monolithic kernel is that it is easier to add new functionality to the microkernel; therefore, it is more customizable. However, it is difficult to add new functionality to the monolithic core; therefore, it is not customizable.
Magnitude
Furthermore, the microkernel is smaller in size while the monolithic kernel is larger in size.
conclusion
Microkernel and monolithic kernel are two types of kernels. The difference between micro kernel and monolithic kernel is that microkernel based systems have OS and kernel services in separate address space while monolithic kernel based system has OS and kernel services in the same address space. addresses.