32 Embedded Linux System Design and Development
applications. Microkernels require robust message-passing schemes. Only if
the message passing is proper are real-time and modularity ensured. Micro-
kernels have been vigorously debated especially against the monolithic ker-
nels. One such widely known debate was between the creator of Linux, Linus
Torvalds, and Andrew Tanenbaum who was the creator of the Minix OS (a
microkernel). The debate may not be of very much interest for the reader
who wants to get right down into embedded Linux.
As we see, these three types of OS operate on totally different philosophies.
On one end of the spectrum we have the real-time kernel that provides no
memory protection; this is done to make the system more real-time but ...