Embedded Linux | 6. Communication Between Kernel and User Space by Pavan | Learn Smarter
K12 Students

Academics

AI-Powered learning for Grades 8–12, aligned with major Indian and international curricula.

Academics

Grades

Grade 8 Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12

Curriculum

CBSE ICSE IB
Professionals

Professional Courses

Industry-relevant training in Business, Technology, and Design to help professionals and graduates upskill for real-world careers.

Professional Courses
Games

Interactive Games

Fun, engaging games to boost memory, math fluency, typing speed, and English skills—perfect for learners of all ages.

games
Typing
Memory
Math
English Adventures
Knowledge
6. Communication Between Kernel and User Space

Clear communication between kernel and user space is vital for the efficiency and stability of Linux-based systems, particularly in embedded environments. This chapter discusses various mechanisms facilitating this communication, including system calls, device files, IOCTLs, shared memory, and signals. Understanding these interactions is crucial for developers engaged in system-level programming.

Sections

  • 6

    Communication Between Kernel And User Space

    This section covers the essential communication mechanisms between the Linux kernel and user space, focusing on system calls, device files, IOCTLs, shared memory, and signals.

    Learning Practice

  • 6.1

    Overview

    The overview explains the critical communication between kernel and user space in a Linux system.

    Learning Practice

  • 6.2

    System Calls

    System calls serve as the primary way for user-space applications to request services from the kernel in a Linux-based system.

    Learning Practice

  • 6.2.1

    What Is A System Call?

    A system call is a function utilized by user-space programs to request services from the kernel.

    Learning Practice

  • 6.2.2

    Key Concepts Of System Calls

    System calls are vital for user-space applications to communicate with the kernel for accessing system services.

    Learning Practice

  • 6.2.3

    Example Of A System Call (Open, Read, Write)

    This section illustrates how user applications interact with the kernel via system calls, specifically focusing on 'open', 'read', and 'write'.

    Learning Practice

  • 6.3

    Device Files

    Device files in Linux provide an interface for user-space applications to interact with hardware devices as if they were regular files.

    Learning Practice

  • 6.3.1

    What Are Device Files?

    Device files in Linux are special files that allow user-space applications to interact with hardware devices.

    Learning Practice

  • 6.3.2

    Common Device Files

    Device files in Linux provide a unified interface for user-space applications to interact with hardware devices.

    Learning Practice

  • 6.4

    Ioctl (Input/output Control)

    IOCTL provides a mechanism for user-space applications to configure hardware devices beyond standard commands.

    Learning Practice

  • 6.4.1

    What Is Ioctl?

    IOCTL (Input/Output Control) is a system call in Linux that allows user-space programs to send control commands to device drivers, enabling configuration and management of hardware devices that cannot be accomplished using standard read/write operations.

    Learning Practice

  • 6.4.2

    Ioctl Example

    IOCTL enables user-space applications to control hardware through control commands.

    Learning Practice

  • 6.5

    Shared Memory

    Shared memory is a communication mechanism that enables efficient data sharing between kernel and user-space applications.

    Learning Practice

  • 6.5.1

    How Shared Memory Works

    Shared memory allows user-space applications and the kernel to efficiently share a region of memory for data exchange, enhancing performance.

    Learning Practice

  • 6.5.2

    Example Of Shared Memory

    Shared memory enables kernel and user-space applications to directly exchange data through a common memory region.

    Learning Practice

  • 6.6

    Signals And Interrupts

    Signals are notifications from the kernel to user-space applications, indicating events requiring immediate attention.

    Learning Practice

  • 6.6.1

    What Are Signals?

    Signals are a mechanism used by the kernel to notify user-space applications about events needing immediate attention.

    Learning Practice

  • 6.6.2

    Handling Signals

    Signals are a key mechanism in Linux for notifying user-space applications about events that require immediate attention.

    Learning Practice

  • 6.6.3

    Example Of Signal Handling

    This section covers how signals are used in Linux to notify user-space applications about events requiring attention.

    Learning Practice

  • 6.7

    Conclusion

    This section emphasizes the importance of communication between kernel and user space in Linux systems.

    Learning Practice

References

eeoe-el-6.pdf

Class Notes

Memorization

What we have learnt

  • The kernel and user space a...
  • System calls provide the pr...
  • Device files allow user-spa...

Final Test

Revision Tests