Linked by Julien Quintard on Tue 27th Jun 2006 17:33 UTC
OSNews, Generic OSes This paper describes the design of the kaneton microkernel. This system was designed to be ported on many architectures without being intrusive. Moreover, the main goal of this system was to be understandable by everyone interested in operating systems internals. To do so, the kaneton design and implementation are very elegant and easy to understand. Finally, the kaneton microkernel includes modern distributed concepts leading to a powerful, secure, flexible and reliable microkernel based OS. Note: This is the first entry to our Alternative OS Contest which runs through 14th July!
Thread beginning with comment 137768
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
Hate to shoot someone down...
by wacco on Tue 27th Jun 2006 20:21 UTC
wacco
Member since:
2006-06-27

...this really feels like somebody's pet project which isn't getting anywhere. No source, no implementation details, one author. There are more names listed, but the website, this article, and the only documentation on the website (the reference doc under papers) are all created by the same person.
However, just one author doesn't have to be a bad thing. The bad thing is that there's no source! What use is an 'educational' OS if there's nothing to be found about it and nobody can actually see it?
All in all, it really sounds like the author is just grasping the basics about microkernels, and likes writing about it more than actually trying to implement anything. I wish him best of luck, but it gets a general 'meh..' until something's actually done.

Of course, if there *is* an implementation somewhere, I didn't say anything. Besides the fact that I'd like to see it and give it a go. ;)

Adam S Member since:
2005-04-01

This entry is not elligible to win unless they produce either the source OR an available binary (it can even be commercial). It simply has to be available in some way, shape, or form to qualify.

Reply Parent Bookmark Score: 1

JulienQuintard Member since:
2006-06-27

I can add something to the kaneton website like "source code for sale: 3 billion dollars"...

More seriously we are not doing this contest to win. just to share our ideas.

Reply Parent Bookmark Score: 3

JulienQuintard Member since:
2006-06-27

First, we are four developers currently working on the reference implementation. Second, the kaneton reference implementation documentation contains three authors.

For the source code, the website explains why we cannot distribute it. Moreover, this year, the source code was distributed to the students.

A distribution will be released soon but will not contain the whole core source code for the same reasons...

For the rest of your comments...

Reply Parent Bookmark Score: 1

sbergman27 Member since:
2005-07-24

I don't see anything on the web site about why the code can't be shared. Only a comment about not *wanting* to share it:

"""kaneton is one of the most important assignments in the French engineer school's curriculum where kaneton is used as a project for the advanced operating systems courses.

For this reason, we are not inclined to share the code."""

Reply Parent Bookmark Score: 1