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SubjectKernel functionality in user land
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Hiho

Now that we get the first programs that do kernel functionality in user land
(think of arpd) it is the time that we talk about standardization of these
features. My following thoughts are nothing but some starting points for the
discussion.

1.) Can't the kernel code and the user-level code share much of its sources?
I think of additional configuration options for the kernel like 'i' for
internal (inside the kernel) and 'e' for external (user level process).
If you then build the kernel, the external programs will be build along
with it like the modules today. Then you have the advantage that there is
only one codebase for all features and it comes with the kernel sources.

2.) Kerneld can start the user-level extensions when they are needed.

3.) Communication should always (no matter if internal or external) go over
the kerneld message queue (Is the overhead bearable for internal
communication? Is the kerneld message queue concept powerful enough? Can
the kerneld message queue be used for inside-kernel communication?)
This would give us much common code between internal and external
features.

4.) Do we want linux to look like that? I do, but I want to hear your opinion
too and in fact it is Linus who decides in the end.

5.) There are certainly some disadvantages too. I can think of one at the
moment: Suddenly libc would have a direct influence on the kernel which
makes things even more complicated.

Matthias


PS: This discussion won't influence linux-2.0.0 much, but I think its reults
can be very useful for further development.


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