About This Book

This book provides information on the kernel programming environment, and about writing system call, kernel service, and virtual file system kernel extensions. Conceptual information on existing kernel subsystems is also provided.

More detailed information on existing kernel services and interface requirements for kernel extensions can be found in AIX Version 4.3 Technical Reference: Kernel and Subsystems Volume 1, Order Number SC23-4163, and AIX Version 4.3 Technical Reference: Kernel and Subsystems Volume 2, Order Number SC23-4164.

Note: The information in this book can also be found on the AIX Version 4.3 Extended Documentation CD. This online documentation is designed for use with an HTML version 3.2 compatible web browser.

Who Should Use This Book

This book is intended for system programmers who are knowledgeable in operating system concepts and kernel programming and want to extend the kernel.

How to Use This Book

This book provides two types of information: (1) an overview of the kernel programming environment and information a programmer needs to write kernel extensions, and (2) information about existing kernel subsystems.

Overview of Contents

This book contains the following chapters and appendixes:

Chapter 1, "Kernel Environment," provides an overview of programming in the kernel environment, including kernel extension binding, kernel processes, signal handling, and exception handling.
Chapter 2, "System Calls," contrasts a user function and a system call, and discusses aspects of system call execution.
Chapter 3, "Virtual File Systems," discusses the components of a virtual file system, and the steps needed to configure it.
Chapter 4, "Kernel Services," discusses the various types of kernel services.
Chapter 5, "Asynchronous I/O Subsystem," describes asynchronous I/O.
Chapter 6, "Device Configuration Subsystem," provides an overview of the configuration process, the routines and databases involved, and the requirements for configuring new devices.
Chapter 7, "Communications I/O Subsystem," contains some information common to all communications device drivers and some information about specific communications device drivers.
Chapter 8, "Graphic Input Devices Subsystem," describes the programming interface of the graphic input device driver.
Chapter 9, "Low Function Terminal (LFT) Subsystem," discusses the component structure of the high function terminal and the concept of the virtual terminal low function terminal .
Chapter 10, "Logical Volume Subsystem," includes information on physical volumes, the logical volume device driver, and logical volumes and bad blocks.
Chapter 11, "Printer Addition Management Subsystem," describes the steps involved in adding a printer to the system.
Chapter 12, "Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) Subsystem," discusses SCSI subsystem architecture and aspects of writing SCSI device drivers.
Chapter 13,"Integrated Device Electronics (IDE) Subsystem," discusses IDE subsystem architecture and aspects of writing IDE device drivers.
Chapter 14, "Serial Direct Access Storage Device Subsystem," includes information on using serial direct access storage devices.
Chapter 15, "Debugging Tools," includes information on debugging device drivers.
Appendix A, "Alphabetical List of Kernel Services," lists and summarizes the function of the kernel services. The list is divided based on the execution environment from which each service can be called.

Highlighting

The following highlighting conventions are used in this book:

Bold	Identifies commands, subroutines, keywords, files, structures, directories, and other items whose names are predefined by the system. Also identifies graphical objects such as buttons, labels, and icons that the user selects.
Italics	Identifies parameters whose actual names or values are to be supplied by the user.
`Monospace`	Identifies examples of specific data values, examples of text similar to what you might see displayed, examples of portions of program code similar to what you might write as a programmer, messages from the system, or information you should actually type.

ISO 9000

ISO 9000 registered quality systems were used in the development and manufacturing of this product.

AIX 32-Bit Support for the X/Open UNIX95 Specification

Beginning with AIX Version 4.2, the operating system is designed to support the X/Open UNIX95 Specification for portability of UNIX-based operating systems. Many new interfaces, and some current ones, have been added or enhanced to meet this specification. Beginning with Version 4.2, AIX is even more open and portable for applications.

At the same time, compatibility with previous AIX releases is preserved. This is accomplished by the creation of a new environment variable, which can be used to set the system environment on a per-system, per-user, or per-process basis.

To determine the proper way to develop a UNIX95-portable application, you may need to refer to the X/Open UNIX95 Specification, which can be obtained on a CD-ROM by ordering the printed copy of AIX Version 4.3 Commands Reference, order number SBOF-1877, or by ordering Go Solo: How to Implement and Go Solo with the Single Unix Specification, order number SR28-5705, a book which includes the X/Open UNIX95 Specification on a CD-ROM.

AIX 32-Bit and 64-Bit Support for the UNIX98 Specification

Beginning with AIX Version 4.3, the operating system is designed to support the X/Open UNIX98 Specification for portability of UNIX-based operating systems. Many new interfaces, and some current ones, have been added or enhanced to meet this specification. Making AIX Version 4.3 even more open and portable for applications.

To determine the proper way to develop a UNIX98-portable application, you may need to refer to the X/Open UNIX98 Specification, which can be obtained on a CD-ROM by ordering the printed copy of AIX Version 4.3 Commands Reference, order number SBOF-1877, or by ordering Go Solo: How to Implement and Go Solo with the Single Unix Specification, order number SR28-5705, a book which includes the X/Open UNIX98 Specification on a CD-ROM.

Related Publications

The following books contain additional information on kernel extension programming and the existing kernel subsystems:

AIX Ethernet Local Broadcast/6000, Order Number GC23-2439
Ethernet HUB Installation, Order Number GA27-4024
Ethernet LAN Adapter Family, Order Number G221-3457
AIX Version 4.3 Guide to Printers and Printing, Order Number SC23-4130.
AIX Version 4 Keyboard Technical Reference, Order Number SC23-2631.
AIX Version 4.3 Problem Solving Guide and Reference, Order Number SC23-4123.
AIX Version 4.3 System Management Guide: Operating System and Devices, Order Number SC23-4126.
AIX Version 4.3 Technical Reference: Kernel and Subsystems Volume 1, Order Number SC23-4163.
AIX Version 4.3 Technical Reference: Kernel and Subsystems Volume 2, Order Number SC23-4164
Token-Ring Network Architecture Reference, Order Number SC30-3374

Ordering Publications

You can order publications from your sales representative or from your point of sale.

To order additional copies of this book, use order number SC23-4125.

Use AIX and Related Products Documentation Overview for information on related publications and how to obtain them.

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