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I was thinking about something similar recently - if the hardware drivers could somehow be abstracted from the rest of the linux kernel (as if...), then suddenl
by ColanR 6y ago
I was thinking about something similar recently - if the hardware drivers could somehow be abstracted from the rest of the linux kernel (as if...), then suddenly a ton of experimental kernels could have widespread hardware availability.
It would probably shake up the OS ecosystem to no small degree, but I imagine the fresh ideas that could be experimented with by non-experts would be hugely beneficial. Isn't that the big argument against so many new projects? "It looks cool, but the hardware support isn't there."
FreeBSD might be a better target though, since that's specifically designed to be compatible with everything.
- alex7o 6y agoThis exists and is called rumpkerbels if I remember correctly.
- puzzledobserver 6y agorumpkerbels? Mind sharing a link? Google Search is curiously empty.
- steveklabnik 6y agoThey typo'd https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rump_kernel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rump_kernel
- GoOnThenDoTell 6y agoApple IOKit
- pjmlp 6y agoAlready in replacement process by Driver Kit and the long term roadmap to migrate all kernel extensions to userspace.
- genghizkhan 6y ago> FreeBSD might be a better target though, since that's specifically designed to be compatible with everything. NetBSD, perhaps, would be a better choice for "tries to run everywhere"?
- ColanR 6y agoYou're right, I confused the two.
- gibspaulding 6y agoComplete layperson here, so don't take my word, but isn't this sort of the idea behind microkernels such as GNU Hurd? https://www.gnu.org/software/hurd/microkernel.html https://www.gnu.org/software/hurd/microkernel.html