Formal Models of Operating System Kernels [Hardcover]

Iain D. Craig (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1846283752 | ISBN-13: 978-1846283758 | Publication Date: November 14, 2006 | Edition: 1st Edition.

Operating systems kernels are central to the functioning of computers. Security of the overall system, as well as its reliability and responsiveness, depend upon the correct functioning of the kernel. This unique approach – presenting a formal specification of a kernel – starts with basic constructs and develops a set of kernels; proofs are included as part of the text.

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From the Back Cover

The kernel of any operating system is its most critical component, the remainder of the system depends upon a correctly functioning and reliable kernel for its operation – what is more, a kernel that has security flaws can be exploited by malicious users. Kernels are notoriously complex and hard to understand. The purpose of this book is to show that the formal specification of kernels is not only possible but also necessary if operating systems are to achieve the levels of reliability and security that is demanded of them today. Specifications of a sequence of kernels of increasing complexity are included, acting as models to enable the designer to identify and reason about the properties of the design – thus making explicit that which is too often left implicit or even unknown. A considerable amount of reasoning is included, showing what can be inferred about a design; and in addition, essential properties of data structures and mechanisms are discussed and the properties of these proved. Also included as an essential aspect of the activity, are the interfaces to the hardware and the processes running on them. It is very easy to get bogged down in complexity issues when considering kernels, but this book’s prescriptive rather than descriptive approach shows how the kernel of an operating system can affect both the reliability and performance of these systems in a clear and concise style. Iain is a fellow of the BSC and has a PhD in Computer Science.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1st Edition. edition (November 14, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1846283752
• ISBN-13: 978-1846283758
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,936,839 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars micro C/OS specification using Z, March 11, 2008

By 

kaizen (Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Formal Models of Operating System Kernels (Hardcover)

This book include FIFO queues, process tables and semaphores in chapter 2. In chapter 3, operating system, micro C/OS is described using objective Z schemata rather than Z.
Z is ISO/IEC standards.ISO/IEC 13568:2002 Information technology -- Z formal specification notation -- Syntax, type system and semantics.
And related standard is followint.
ISO/IEC 10165-4:1992/Amd 3:1998 Guidelines for the use of Z in formalizing the behaviour of managed objects .

I am no Z specialist nor OS specialist. And I do not have Z( and objective Z) translator to C language. So I cannot understand main part of this book.
So I request my colleague to rewrite this Z example to be utilized B methods.
Also I request another colleague to write TOPPERS/SSP(smallest set profile) specification using Z.
It should be rewrite to be utilised B methods.

This is the first book who can start to formally designe and evaluate the architecture of operating system.