Linux Kernel

Linux Kernel plays an integral role in Linux as it manages resource allocation, low-level hardware interfaces, security, basic file system management, and communication. Originally created by Linus Torvalds and a team of hackers, Linux is a clone of the Unix operating system written from scratch. The OS aims towards compliance with POSIX and Single UNIX Specification.

Linux boasts features found in modern fully-fledged Unix including true multitasking, virtual memory, demand loading, shared libraries, shared copy-on-write executables, proper memory management, and multistack networking (IPv4 and IPv6). Originally developed for 32-bit x86-based PCs, the operating system now supports numerous architectures such as Compaq Alpha AXP, Sun SPARC and UltraSPARC, PowerPC, PowerPC64, ARM, Hitachi SuperH, IBM S/390, MIPS, HP PA-RISC, Intel IA-64, DEC VAX, AMD x86-64, AXIS CRIS, and Renesas M32R.

It's easily portable to most general-purpose 32- or 64-bit architectures with paged memory management units and a port of the GNU C compiler (gcc) as an essential requirement. Although limited functionality is expected for most architectures without a PMMU. Those interested in additional information can check out the µClinux project.