Kernel Comparison: Linux (2.6.28) versus Windows (Vista SP1)
Architecture
Kernel Architecture
| Architecture | Linux | Windows |
| Architecture | monolithic (with exceptions)' | monolithic7 (with exceptions)'7 |
| i.e. subsystems / drivers user space | N
Y (exceptions below)' |
N
Y (exceptions below)' |
| i.e. possible kernel protection from subsystems / drivers | N
Y (exceptions below)' |
N
Y (exceptions below)' |
Architecture Exceptions
| Architecture (exceptions) | Linux | Windows |
| user space - USB | Y' | Y |
| user space - printing | Y | Y |
| user space - filesystem (FUSE, -) | Y | N
Y (with freeware 50) |
| user space - audio (see below) | Y' | Y' |
| user space - graphics27 (see below) | Y' | Y' |
Johnathon Weare © Johnny Weare 2009