What is XNU?
XNU is a hybrid kernel that powers the Darwin operating system, which is used in both OS X and iOS. This kernel combines the Mach kernel developed at Carnegie Mellon University with components from FreeBSD and the C++ API for writing drivers, known as IOKit. XNU is designed to run on both single-processor and multi-processor configurations, supporting the i386 and x8664 architectures The XNU source tree contains several key components:
Highlights
- Hybrid Kernel Architecture: XNU integrates the Mach kernel with BSD and C++ IOKit components, offering a flexible and modular design
- Support for Multiple Architectures: XNU can run on both single-processor and multi-processor systems, catering to a wide range of hardware configurations
- Comprehensive Source Tree: The XNU source tree includes various subsystems, libraries, and utilities for configuring, versioning, and managing the kernel and its components.
Platforms
- Self-Hosted
Languages
- English