Kernel: Difference between revisions

The hybrid kernel, often called the macrokernel, is primarily a monolithic kernel. It differs in that the parts of it are usually segmented either in code, by a few physical modules or a mixture of both. Unlike microkernels, which use a message passing system to communicate with user space modules, hybrid kernels are usually linked together at run time and still exist as a whole in kernel space. The term is usually reserved for kernels whose core functions are modularised, not for systems who have the ability to load drivers as separate kernel modules.

Also a monolithic model, the modular kernel, which is usually far more modular than the hybrid kernel, is based upon the same concept. The major difference is the usual ability for the kernel to load numerous unknown core modules, as opposed to simply loading in known kernel parts. It is also never considered modular because of the use of namespaces, or a simplified codebase.