Each virtual machine has its own protected address space and may execute several lightweight processes. Clients and servers residing in virtual machines communicate by sending messages. The kernel routes the request to the appropriate server. The server receives the request by executing a ReceiveRequest primitive, executes the requested operation and returns the result to the client by executing a SendReply prmitive. Available servers register their services with a well-known name server.
Communication is transparent across the network.
Applications One of the spin-offs of the Hybrid project is a collaboration with an industrial engineering company called Inference Technologies. This industry partner developed a production management system of which the Hybrid kernel and an application running on the kernel forms an integral part. The first partnership is with an industrial engineering company called Inference Technologies. This project involves a production management system that consists of a number of microprocessor based computing nodes interconnected via ethernet and running the microkernel. The system gathers data from industrial manufacturing machines, monitor activity on the factory floor and provides a simple messaging system.