Complex sentence: The Linux kernel's architecture was required to support a large number of independent volunteer developers; this requirement suggested that the system portions that require the most development--the hardware device drivers and the file and network protocols--be implemented in an extensible fashion.
Split into simpler sentences: The Linux kernel's architecture was required to support a large number of independent volunteer developers. This requirement suggested that the system portions that require the most development--the hardware device drivers and the file and network protocols--be implemented in an extensible fashion.