Microkernel Construction

This lecture focuses on current developments in the area of 2nd generation microkernels. After introducing microkernel-based operating systems we look into the design and implementation issues of the mechanisms of modern real-life microkernels. Practical exercises give hands-on-experience to the topics covered in this lecture. Requiered skills for this lecture include the basic knowledge of Linux and programming skills of C/C++ language.

This lecture and the practical exercises are based on the Fiasco microkernel, developed at the Technische Universität Dresden.

Lectures and Exercises in SS 2009

• [09.04] Motivation, Introduction, L4 Interface
• [16.04] Address Spaces, Threads and Thread Switching
• [23.04] Kernel Entry / Exit
• [30.04] Inter-Process Communication (IPC)
• [07.05] Thread Creation, Synchronization
• [14.05] Exercise 1
• [28.05] Exercise 2
• [11.06] Scheduling
• [18.06] Address-Space Management
• [25.06] Exercise 3
• [02.07] Portability
• [09.07] Platform-Specific Optimizations
• [16.07] Kernel Memory Management

Slides

Additional Documentation

Operating System Basics:

• Modern Operating Systems: Andrew S. Tanenbaum (OS Concepts, OS Structures, Virtual Memory)

• L4 V.2 Specification (PS)
• Fiasco Documentation Site
• Using Fiasco/UX
• Fiasco Kernel Debugger Manual (PDF)
• Building Infrastructure Tutorial

Practical Exercises

• May. 14
• May. 28
• Jun. 25

Organizational

Term: SS2009
Date: Thursday, 4th block
Room: INF/E08
Room for practical Exercises: INF/E42
Credits: 3
SWS: 2 (2/0/0)

Mailinglist

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Archive of previous semesters: WS2003/04, WS2004/05, WS2005/06 SS2007 SS2008