Assignment #1
In this research paper the discussion between
portability and performance of operating
system in kernel implementations is talked
through, programmers using conventional
programming techniques and code
refinements which surrenders high
performance but shows low portability. Some
possible techniques are described in this
research paper.
Hardware technology advancements that
outdate OS kernel
As hardware technology advances the
precursor kernel implemented (OS) become
obsolete and do not run well with the
successor. Although the differences that
impacts the performance of the kernel
routines are overlooked by the programmers
these differences can be i.e., different buss
width, on chip cache size.
Solution for better OS kernel implementation
Some competing architectures are based on
RISC technology, they have different
instruction sets designed to execute
computing tasks with the simplest instructions
in the shortest amount of time possible. But
the designing and implementation of a
portable OS kernel to run on different families
of RISC microprocessors is very tough.
Although successful approach has been made
as e.g. Mach & Chorus using real-time
operating systems.
Emulation of old or new interface
Another possible solution is the emulation of
new or old interface, but this also introduces
some performance penalties. If changes are
made to the OS implementations, then it
becomes more difficult to kernels running on
other architectures. It is also thought that
with every new generation of OS kernel
implementation will have a shorter lifespan
and the probability and efficiency is made
more promising by the fast-paced RISC
architecture.
Computer Architecture & Kernel
Implementors
As for an application programmer maintaining
the instruction set compatibility is enough in
computer architecture although for a kernel
implementor many other features are
important.
 For example: Versions of MS-DOS
written on 80286 could run on 80386
but failed to take advantage of the
new features which made it run slow
as the old one.
 Another example: On chip cache size,
for this the OS kernel implanters knew
that the management of on chip
cache is crucial to the good system
performance but some changes to the
code would degrade the performance
of the systems.
 Another example: Performance of
real-time executives, this was an
approach that relied on many
parameters including instruction
execution time, cache size, and bus
width. The debugging of real-time
execution was tough to do and once a
real-time system works all other
system components would be needed
to be frozen.
According to the authors these above
examples showed that relying on traditional
and old programming techniques alone the
OS kernel implementor would fall way behind
in the race against the computer architecture
evolution and only large companies can invest
on refining the OS implementation over and
over, but research prototypes gradually fall
behind unless they are continuously well-
funded.
Conclusion
It can be concluded that a sufficient solution
still does not exists as every methodology and
trick has its pros and cons to it.