Types of Kernel

1. Monolithic Kernel

It is one of types of kernel where all operating system services operate in kernel space. It has dependencies between systems components. It has huge lines of code which is complex.

Example: Unix, Linux, Open VMS, XTS-400 etc.

Advantage: It has good performance

Disadvantage: It has dependencies between system component and lines of code in millions

2. Micro Kernel

It is kernel types which has minimalist approach. It has virtual memory and thread scheduling. It is more stable with less services in kernel space. It puts rest in user space.

Example: Mach, L4, AmigaOS, Minix, K42 etc.

Advantage: It is more stable

Disadvantage: There are lots of system calls and context switches.

3. Hybrid Kernel

It is the combination of both monolithic kernel and mircrokernel. It has speed and design of monolithic kernel and modularity and stability of microkernel.

Example: Windows NT, Netware, BeOS etc.

Advantage: It combines both monolithic kernel and microkernel

Disadvantage: It is still similar to monolithic kernel.

4. Exo Kernel

It is the type of kernel which follows end-to-end principle. It has fewest hardware abstractions as possible. It allocates physical resources to applications.

Example: Nemesis, ExOS etc.

Advantage: It has fewest hardware abstractions

Disadvantage: There is more work for application developers

5. Nano Kernel

It is the type of kernel that offers hardware abstraction but without system services. Micro Kernel also does not have system services therefore the Micro Kernel and Nano Kernel have become analogous.

Example: EROS etc.

Advantage: It offers hardware abstractions without system services

Disadvantage: It is quite same as Micro kernel hence it is less used