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. The only
solution that exists till now is to maintain the
existing OS kernel.