What is Kernel? How does work Kernel? Functions and Types of Kernel..

Hello Guys, I am going to share with you about 'Kernel'. Now I will discuss with you what is kernel, how does the kernel work, function of kernel, types of kernel etc..

What is Kernel:

The kernel is a core or main part of operating system which is intermediate between software and hardware. It is a bridge between applications and the actual data processing done at the hardware level. It is transfer raw data software to hardware and hardware to software. It is most important program that is loaded after the operating system installed and until the operating system uninstall again. Every operating system has needed a kernel. Without a kernel, you can’t have an computer that actually works.

Kernel

How does kernel work:

Suppose you want to play the video on vlc player, this software can not directly contact to hardware, their are need a middle man which is kernel. The processor switches between the two mode, user mode(set mode bit=1) and kernel mode (set mode bit=0) for processing. Then the operating system send a request to kernel for need permission to CPU,GPU,Sound Box,Monitor etc., which called is system calls. Now an operating system is send mode bit=0 to go to kernel mode from user mode for play the video and after processing send mode bit=1 to go to user mode from kernel mode. At last you watched the video.

Kernel Layout

And it is decided the amount of resources to be use for every application. Every program must get a limited amount of resources, so that all the other programs run well and not interfered.

Function of Kernel:

Resource Management: Every program must get a limited amount of resources, to manage the computer’s resource and allow other programs to run and use these resources. Resource usage which can be controlled includes CPU usage, memory usage, I/O(Input/Output) bandwidth, etc..
Process or task management: Kernel has allow the execution of applications. It provides a user interface that allows users to request a specific task. A process contains all the information about the task that needs to be done and the proper functioning of the systems, it is handled by the Kernel.
Device Management: As device management is a very OS specific topic, which are handled differently by each kind of kernel design. The kernel provides the I/O(Input/Output) to allow drivers to physically access their devices through some port or memory location. A device driver is a computer program that enables the operating system to interact with a hardware device.
Disk Management: The kernel keeps track about which part of the memory is currently allocated and which part is available for being allocated to the other processes. And the kernel has full access to the system's memory. It allows processes to safely access this memory as they require it.
Security or protection Management: Kernel also provides protection from faults (error control) and from malicious, worms and trojan horses behaviors (Security). Basically this can be Language based protection systems, in which the kernel will only allow code to execute which has been produced by a trusted language compiler.

Functions of Kernel

Types of Kernel:

Monolithic Kernels: The monolithic kernel is older kernel used in UNIX, MS-DOS and early MAC-OS. This is basically makes the kernel handle all of operating system's jobs like I/O(Input/Output), device drivers, and the file system. It results in faster access, but if there is a bug in the device driver, the entire system crashes.
Micro kernel: The Micro kernel is used for both of kernel space and user space to run all of the system processes. In this type of kernel contains only the basic code needed to communicate with hardware and load an operating system. They should be used where security and the crashing system isn’t or will not happen.

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Milan Tomic

Hi. I’m Designer of Blog Magic. I’m CEO/Founder of ThemeXpose. I’m Creative Art Director, Web Designer, UI/UX Designer, Interaction Designer, Industrial Designer, Web Developer, Business Enthusiast, StartUp Enthusiast, Speaker, Writer and Photographer. Inspired to make things looks better.