OSkerros

OSkerros is an operating system kernel concept that emphasizes a layered architecture and modularity. The design aims to separate concerns by placing essential services in a microkernel-like core, while most system services run in user space as modules. This structure promotes portability across hardware platforms and enables easier experimentation with subsystem implementations.

Architecture and design: The core handles inter-process communication, scheduling, and memory management, while a hardware abstraction layer provides platform-specific support. Drivers and services are implemented as loadable modules, allowing the kernel to be extended or replaced without rebuilding the entire system. The security model typically uses capability-based access controls and clear boundaries between kernel and user space.

Features: Real-time scheduling options, support for multi-core architectures, and optional POSIX compatibility. A modular file system, network stack, and device drivers can be swapped or extended. Tooling for cross-compilation, debugging, and tracing is emphasized to support development.

Development and licensing: OSkerros is released as open-source software and maintained by a dispersed community of contributors. Development occurs in public repositories with standard release cycles and build systems. The project favors portability, reproducible builds, and forward compatibility.

Applications and reception: OSkerros is used primarily in education, research, and embedded contexts where a small, modular kernel is advantageous. It is not widely adopted as a consumer desktop OS, but it serves as a platform for studying microkernel concepts and layered architectures.

See also: operating system kernel, microkernel, hardware abstraction layer, loadable kernel module, real-time operating system.