About Microkernels

Microkernels are kernels that provide only simple generic mechanisms suitable for outsourcing the traditional operating-system functionality to deprivileged user-mode processes in a component-based OS that runs on top. Microkernel-based operating systems come in many different flavors, each having a distinctive set of goals, features, mechanisms and trade-offs. Some of the most frequently cited reasons for structuring the system as a microkernel are security, modularity, flexibility, verifiability and fault tolerance. Many microkernels can also act as a hypervisor.

See https://www.microkernel.info/ for a comprehensive list of open-source microkernel projects.

About the Devroom

The microkernel and component-based OS devroom brings the creative minds behind several open-source projects together and offers enthusiasts a chance to discuss novel ideas and get up to speed with the latest developments in the various groups. Since the first Microkernel OS Devroom at FOSDEM 2012, this devroom has been a part of each following FOSDEM (with slight variations of the name). The focus gradually widened to include component-based, unikernel-based and other operating systems.