Maybe I'm mixing terms here, but I was under the impression that linux is NOT monolithic - its quite modular. Monolithic translates to no modules, correct?
Just because linux gives you the options of going modular or monolithic whereas most BSD based kernels do not (you will use modules, period) doesnt nessecarily make it a monolithic kernel by design.
Both methods have their advantages, and I personally have always like the BSD kernel method, but the advantages of being capable of building a monolithic ke
That is monolithic as well, but not using the term in the same way. Monolithic essentially means made from a single piece. This CAN refer to modules as well, as the kernel modules aren't built into the kernel binary, but in the case of monolithic vs. microkernel, it doesn't refer to how the kernel is built. Rather it refers to the execution of the operating system kernel.
A modular Linux kernel loads as a single executable that then loads modules into it's process space as needed to do things. This is essentially a monolithic kernel. The OS runs as a single process.
Microkernel's have the OS split as seperate processes, mostly outside the core microkernel (which has the job of facilitating message passing between all these processes, and lowlevel process management). The Microkernel may or may not do I/O, sometimes seperate processes do.
Hope that helps.
Monolithic (Score:-1)
Just because linux gives you the options of going modular or monolithic whereas most BSD based kernels do not (you will use modules, period) doesnt nessecarily make it a monolithic kernel by design.
Both methods have their advantages, and I personally have always like the BSD kernel method, but the advantages of being capable of building a monolithic ke
Re:Monolithic (Score:5, Informative)