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Workplace microkernel and OS: a case study
Author(s) -
Fleisch Brett D.,
Co Mark Allan A.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
software: practice and experience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1097-024X
pISSN - 0038-0644
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-024x(199805)28:6<569::aid-spe158>3.0.co;2-u
Subject(s) - microkernel , operating system , ibm , computer science , embedded system , materials science , nanotechnology
Abstract IBM's Microkernel, named Workplace OS microkernel, 1 was the core component of Workplace OS, a portable successor of OS/2. The basic premise of Workplace OS work was (1) IBM would adopt and improve the CMU Mach 3.0 microkernel for use on PDAs, the desktop, workstations, and massively parallel machines, and (2) that several operating system personalities would execute on the microkernel platform concurrently. This architecture would allow users to switch between applications written for different operating systems while IBM would also benefit by having one common platform for all product lines. The goals of the microkernel and the technical features of design are described in this paper. We also present lessons that may benefit future projects with similar goals. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.