Operating System Distributed Over Heterogeneous Platforms

A method, using an operating system, for providing access to components within a computing device, comprising:

• receiving a request to perform a process that involves a component;
• providing access to the component using a local communication path if it is determined that the component is located on a local platform;
• and
• providing access to the component using a remote communication path if it is determined that the component is located on a remote platform.

A computer readable medium for storing computer readable instructions, the computer readable instructions providing a policy manager module when executed by one or more processing units, the computer readable instructions comprising:

• logic configured to identify a process which involves an interaction relation between a first component and a second component;
• logic configured to identify an affinity value associated with the interaction relation, the affinity value identifying a sensitivity of the process to a relative location of the first component and the second component;
• and
• logic configured to determine a placement of the first component in relation to the second component by taking into consideration the affinity value.