> Is there a bare bones "OS" (freeware with source) that starts
> up an x386, enables 32bit mode, and does some basic round
> robin scheduling? (the term "OS" is very loose here)
> I would just like to learn how to do the minimum to get into
> 32bit mode and handle some interrupts. Some of the emails
> recently have talked about BIOSless startup into Linux. Same
> sort of thing. (context switching is pretty simple if you can
> handle the interrupts -- could keep it simple and not have
> any protection at all and cpu would think running one task)
> Thanks.
> Scott
You might consider looking at the RT-Linux work.
This essentially patches the Linux kernel and runs
it under a very minimal microkernel. Thus the
Linux kernel becomes a task under the microkernel,
and there are some functions that allow the
Linux kernel (and user space thereunder) to submit
and control other real-time tasks.
You could also look at the L4 and Mach microkernels
and at EROS (http://www.eros-os.org) (another microkernel)
I think there's also a uCOS (microcontroller OS) at
Cygnus (http://www.cygnus.com) which may be under the
GPL (most Cygnus work is). I might be mis-remember the
name on that one, so you'll have to hunt around a bit.
These are probably the simplest models matching
your description.
You can find a few links to MANY other operating
systems at my web site: http://www.starshine.org/jim/os/
... Look for Fari, Sven, and and Patrick. They maintain
the extensive lists. My page is just a light wrapper
and some commentary to lead you to them.
--
Jim Dennis [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Linuxcare: Linux Corporate Support Team: http://www.linuxcare.com
