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Kernel User and Space 1

The document explains the kernel as the core component of an operating system that manages hardware and application communication. It distinguishes between kernel space, which has high-level control and full hardware access, and user space, which operates with limited control through system calls. The separation of these spaces is crucial for security, stability, and performance in operating systems.

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25 views

Kernel User and Space 1

The document explains the kernel as the core component of an operating system that manages hardware and application communication. It distinguishes between kernel space, which has high-level control and full hardware access, and user space, which operates with limited control through system calls. The separation of these spaces is crucial for security, stability, and performance in operating systems.

Uploaded by

whatismasswhatisweight
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Kernel, User, and Space

Understanding the Core Components of Operating Systems


What is the Kernel?

The kernel is the core of


It serves as an
the operating system,
intermediary between the
responsible for managing
hardware and the
system resources and
applications.
hardware communication.
Types of Kernels

- MONOLITHIC KERNEL - MICROKERNEL - HYBRID KERNEL


User Space vs. Kernel Space

- **KERNEL SPACE**: HIGH-LEVEL - **USER SPACE**: LIMITED CONTROL,


CONTROL, FULL HARDWARE ACCESS, INTERACTION VIA SYSTEM CALLS,
PRIVILEGED MODE. ISOLATED FROM KERNEL.
Communication Between Kernel and User Space

- System Calls: The interface through which user- - Interrupts: Kernel can be interrupted to handle
space programs interact with the kernel. tasks; user-space programs use system calls to
request services.
Privileges and Access
Control

• - Kernel operates in supervisor mode,


user applications run in user mode.
• - Context Switching: CPU switches
between user-space and kernel-space
operations.
Importance of
Kernel and User
Space Separation
• - **Security**: User
applications can't directly
modify critical system
resources.
• - **Stability**: Issues in
user-space programs don't
affect system stability.
• - **Performance**: Kernel
has direct access to
hardware, while user-space
interacts via optimized APIs.
- Understanding the kernel and
user space is essential for
system stability and security.
Conclusion
- Proper management of kernel-
user space communication
enhances performance and
ensures safe operation.
2. Describe the
1. What is the
difference
Practice role of the
kernel in an
operating
between
monolithic and
microkernel
Questions system?
architectures.

(Review Slides 3. What are the


4. How does
communication

1-4) key
characteristics
happen
between the
kernel and user
of kernel space?
space?
Practice Questions (Review
Slides 5-8)
• 1. What is a system call, and how does it work?
• 2. What is the importance of context switching
between user and kernel modes?
• 3. Why is the separation of user space and
kernel space important for system security?
• 4. How does user space interact with hardware
through the kernel?

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