Dynamically configurable kernel

In a computer system comprising resources such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), memory and input/output means, an operating system which executes processes and utilizes the resources, the operating system comprising at least one module loaded into operating system memory and installed as part of the operating system, a process for dynamically configuring the operating system by loading the modules into operating system memory and installing the loaded modules on an as needed basis comprising the steps of:

• when a requesting process issues a request to the operating system to access a requested module;
• a module subsystem intercepting the request to access the requested module such that the request is temporarily not executed by the operating system, and
• determining if the requested module has been loaded and installed into the operating system by determining if a module configuration table stored in operating system memory contains an entry for the requested module having a value indicative that the requested module has been loaded into the operating system memory and installed;
• if the module has not been loaded into the operating system memory and installed into the operating system, loading the module comprising the steps of;
• copying compiled module code of the requested module into the operating system memory such that the requested module is a loaded module, and
• resolving all references between the loaded module and the at least one loaded and installed module,
• installing the loaded module by providing references to the loaded module necessary for requests for access thereby indicating that the requested module has been loaded and installed, wherein the loaded module is now accessible, and
• permitting the intercepted request for access to process;
• and
• if the module has been loaded into the operating system memory and installed into the operating system, immediately executing the request for access to execute.

In a computer system comprising resources such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), memory and input/output means, an operating system comprising a kernel memory comprising a plurality of installed and loaded modules which execute processes and utilize the resources, a process for loading modules into the kernel memory on an as needed basis comprising computer implemented steps of:

• compiling each module into an object code format;
• storing the compiled files representative of the modules in a memory external to the kernel memory;
• providing at least one module configuration table in the kernel memory identifying modules loaded into the kernel memory and installed into the kernel as part of the operating system;
• when a requesting process issues an access request for a requested module, said process for loading,
• intercepting the access request to the module configuration table;
• reviewing the entries in the module configuration table to determine if the requested module has been loaded and installed into the kernel,
• if the module configuration table indicates that the module has not been loaded and installed into the kernel,
• reading the compiled file representative of the module,
• determining the size of the file,
• allocating space in the kernel memory for the file,
• copying the file into kernel memory,
• resolving all references between the requested module and the loaded and installed modules,
• installing the module by identifying the location of the loaded module and updating the module configuration table to indicate that the module has been loaded and installed into the kernel, and
• permitting the request to access to execute;
• and
• if the module configuration table indicates that the module has been loaded and installed into the kernel, immediately permitting the request to access to execute.