Micro-kernel support for migration

This paper aims to show that micro-kernels are a more suitable environment for the implementation of process migration than conventional mono-lithic kernels. This premise is illustrated with an implementation of migration on top of the Chorus micro-kernel. The implementation emphasises the modularisation of the various components of a migration implementation, as well as drawing a strong distinction between policy issues and migration mechanisms. This modularisation serves to illustrate the functionality required of a micro-kernel to support migration. We draw two additional conclusions from this implementation. Firstly, we conclude that migration should not be provided by the micro-kernel itself, but should instead be implemented at a level just above it. And, secondly, we identify a very small number of areas where changes may be required to existing micro-kernel interfaces to facilitate the implementation of migration at this level.