Developer | Dresden Real-Time Operating System Project |
---|---|
Written in | C |
OS family | Linux kernel |
Working state | current |
Source model | Open source |
Initial release | 5 October 1997 |
Latest release | 6.10 / August 2024 |
Platforms | IA-32, x86-64, ARM |
Kernel type | Monolithic on microkernel |
License | GNU General Public License |
Official website | l4linux |
L4Linux is a variant of the Linux kernel for operating systems, that is altered to the extent that it can run paravirtualized on an L4 microkernel, where the L4Linux kernel runs a service. L4Linux is not a fork but a variant and is binary compatible with the Linux x86 kernel, thus it can replace the Linux kernel of any Linux distribution.
L4Linux is being developed by the Dresden Real-Time Operating System Project (DROPS) to allow real-time and time-sharing programs to run on a computer in parallel at the same time.
L4Linux also allows setting up a virtualized environment vaguely similar to Xen or Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM), but a few significant differences exist[further explanation needed] between the intent of Xen and L4Linux.