Exokernelprojekt

Exokernelprojekt is a research initiative focused on exokernel-style operating system architecture. The project investigates how to minimize the kernel while providing safe and efficient access to hardware resources for user-space software.

Concept and goals: Exokernel designs reduce kernel responsibilities to resource protection and multiplexing, leaving policy decisions to library operating systems or applications. By exposing low-level resources such as memory, CPUs, and I/O devices via safe, verifiable interfaces, the approach aims to reduce abstraction overhead and improve performance and flexibility.

Approach and methods: The project develops experimental platforms that run on commodity hardware and virtualization layers. It uses capability-based mechanisms to control resource access and supports multiple, specialized library OSs coexisting with the kernel. Researchers measure isolation, throughput, and latency, comparing against monolithic and microkernel baselines.

Impact and status: Exokernelprojekt contributes empirical data and design insights to OS research. It informs discussions about resource management in high-performance computing, data centers, and cloud environments, where workloads benefit from customization and reduced kernel policy. The project engages with academic partners and publishes results in conferences and journals.

Related topics include exokernel theory, library operating systems, and capability-based security.