What is the difference between a monolithic kernel and a microkernel?

a) A monolithic kernel manages all system services in the kernel space, while a microkernel delegates most services to user space

b) A microkernel is faster than a monolithic kernel

c) A monolithic kernel is only used in embedded systems

d) A microkernel does not support device drivers

Answer:

a) A monolithic kernel manages all system services in the kernel space, while a microkernel delegates most services to user space

Explanation:

In a monolithic kernel, all system services such as file management, device drivers, and networking are managed within the kernel space, making the kernel responsible for a large number of tasks. This provides fast communication between services but can lead to issues if a bug occurs, as it can crash the entire system.

A microkernel, on the other hand, implements only the most essential functions in the kernel space (such as CPU scheduling and inter-process communication), while other services like device drivers and file systems run in user space. This design improves stability and modularity but can introduce performance overhead due to the additional communication between the kernel and user space.

Monolithic kernels are used in systems like Linux, while microkernel designs are used in systems like QNX and MINIX, focusing on modularity and fault tolerance.

Reference:

Operating System MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions)