Learn Microkernels - Expanded Project Guides
Generated from:
LEARN_MICROKERNELS.mdThis folder contains deep-dive guides for each project in the learning path.
Overview
Microkernels trade monolithic speed for isolation, verification, and reliability. These guides take you from core IPC primitives to fully supervised, capability-secured systems, then end with a production-grade capstone.
Project Index
| # | Project | Difficulty | Time | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IPC Message Passing Library | Intermediate | 1 week | Synchronous IPC semantics |
| 2 | Capability System Implementation | Advanced | 2 weeks | Capability security model |
| 3 | User-Space Device Driver Framework | Advanced | 2 weeks | Driver isolation |
| 4 | Minimal Microkernel (Bare Metal) | Master | 2-3 months | Kernel core + IPC |
| 5 | File System Server | Advanced | 2-3 weeks | IPC-based system services |
| 6 | Network Stack Server | Expert | 1 month | TCP/IP as a user-space service |
| 7 | MINIX 3 Exploration | Intermediate | 2 weeks | Real microkernel architecture |
| 8 | seL4 Tutorial Completion | Advanced | 3-4 weeks | Verified microkernel primitives |
| 9 | Redox OS Contribution | Advanced | 2-4 weeks | Rust microkernel development |
| 10 | QNX Exploration | Intermediate | 2 weeks | Commercial microkernel IPC |
| 11 | Zircon/Fuchsia Exploration | Advanced | 2-3 weeks | Handles, channels, components |
| 12 | Microkernel Performance Benchmarking | Intermediate | 1-2 weeks | IPC and context switch costs |
| 13 | Fault-Tolerant Driver System | Expert | 3-4 weeks | Driver supervision and recovery |
| 14 | Formally Verified IPC Protocol | Master | 1-2 months | Formal specification + proof |
| 15 | Production-Grade Microkernel System | Master | 6-12 months | End-to-end microkernel OS |
Learning Paths
Phase 1: Foundations
- Project 1: IPC Message Passing Library
- Project 2: Capability System Implementation
- Project 7: MINIX 3 Exploration
Phase 2: User-Space Services
- Project 3: User-Space Device Driver Framework
- Project 5: File System Server
- Project 13: Fault-Tolerant Driver System
Phase 3: Modern Implementations
- Project 8: seL4 Tutorial Completion
- Project 9: Redox OS Contribution
- Project 11: Zircon/Fuchsia Exploration
Phase 4: Deep Understanding
- Project 4: Minimal Microkernel (Bare Metal)
- Project 6: Network Stack Server
- Project 12: Microkernel Performance Benchmarking
- Project 14: Formally Verified IPC Protocol
Capstone
Prerequisites
- Solid C programming (or Rust for Redox)
- OS fundamentals: processes, scheduling, virtual memory
- Basic concurrency and synchronization
- Comfortable with debugging tools (gdb/lldb) and virtual machines