What is the difference between the kernel space and the user space? Do kernel space, kernel threads, kernel processes and kernel stack mean the same thing? Also, why do we n
By Sunil Yadav, on Quora:
The Linux Kernel refers to everything that runs in Kernel mode and is made up of several distinct layers. At the lowest layer, the Kernel interacts with the hardware via the HAL. At the middle level, the UNIX Kernel is divided into 4 distinct areas. The first of the four areas handles character devices, raw and cooked TTY and terminal handling. The second area handles network device drivers, routing protocols and sockets. The third area handles disk device drivers, page and buffer caches, file system, virtual memory, file naming and mapping. The fourth and last area handles process dispatching, scheduling, creation and termination as well as signal handling. Above all this we have the top layer of the Kernel which includes system calls, interrupts and traps. This level serves as the interface to each of the lower level functions. A programmer uses the various system calls and interrupts to interact with the features of the operating system.