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Does Apple run on a MicroKernel? Microsoft? Google definitely doesn't (it runs on linux). The problems they solve are orthogonal to kernel issues. Sandboxing

Does Apple run on a MicroKernel? Microsoft? Google definitely doesn't (it runs on linux). The problems they solve are orthogonal to kernel issues. Sandboxing thwarts userspace attacks (any program I install has access to my userspace). Microkernels solve kernel side attacks.

huxley 10y ago
Apple uses XNU which is a hybrid kernel based on the Mach 3 microkernel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XNU https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XNU
- tossedaway334 10y ago
  OSX is effectively a microkernel in name only, its a microkernel with a single monolithic UNIX kernel client, and has virtually none of the advantages of a real microkernel setup with multiple clients sharing tasks.
mtgx 10y ago
The real irony is that Android might as well run on a microkernel, considering no OEM has any intention of ever making their firmware work on anyone else's hardware. Everyone's ROMs would be more or less just as incompatible as they are now, but at least they'd be faster and much more secure at the kernel level.
- dispose13432 10y ago
  >but at least they'd be faster The problem with microkernal's isn't compatibility, it's speed.
  - pjmlp 10y ago
    QNX, Genode and L4 have solved that problem longtime ago. The problems with microkernels are mostly urban legends.
    - dispose13432 10y ago
      So why can't hurd get its act together?
      - pmoriarty 10y ago
        Lack of volunteers.
      - pjmlp 10y ago
        Lack of resources and manpower.
      - snvzz 10y ago
        Because they're still using Mach, and most capable contributors moved on to microkernel-based projects that actually aren't hopeless.
  - snvzz 10y ago
    http://blog.darknedgy.net/technology/2016/01/01/0/ http://blog.darknedgy.net/technology/2016/01/01/0/
- snvzz 10y ago
  Google's working on Fuchsia. This might be exactly their plan.
pjmlp 10y ago
Yes all of them do depend on some form on microkernels. It is called L4 and is responsible for the baseband communications and secure enclave. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L4_microkernel_family#Commercial_deployment https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L4_microkernel_family#Commerci...

huxley 10y ago

Apple uses XNU which is a hybrid kernel based on the Mach 3 microkernel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XNU https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XNU

tossedaway334 10y ago
OSX is effectively a microkernel in name only, its a microkernel with a single monolithic UNIX kernel client, and has virtually none of the advantages of a real microkernel setup with multiple clients sharing tasks.

mtgx 10y ago

The real irony is that Android might as well run on a microkernel, considering no OEM has any intention of ever making their firmware work on anyone else's hardware. Everyone's ROMs would be more or less just as incompatible as they are now, but at least they'd be faster and much more secure at the kernel level.

dispose13432 10y ago
>but at least they'd be faster The problem with microkernal's isn't compatibility, it's speed.
- pjmlp 10y ago
  QNX, Genode and L4 have solved that problem longtime ago. The problems with microkernels are mostly urban legends.
  - dispose13432 10y ago
    So why can't hurd get its act together?
    - pmoriarty 10y ago
      Lack of volunteers.
    - pjmlp 10y ago
      Lack of resources and manpower.
    - snvzz 10y ago
      Because they're still using Mach, and most capable contributors moved on to microkernel-based projects that actually aren't hopeless.
- snvzz 10y ago
  http://blog.darknedgy.net/technology/2016/01/01/0/ http://blog.darknedgy.net/technology/2016/01/01/0/
snvzz 10y ago
Google's working on Fuchsia. This might be exactly their plan.

pjmlp 10y ago

Yes all of them do depend on some form on microkernels. It is called L4 and is responsible for the baseband communications and secure enclave. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L4_microkernel_family#Commercial_deployment https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L4_microkernel_family#Commerci...