Last Significant Update:

2025-09-14

Status:

Draft

Comments to:

jkoshy@NetBSD.org

There are kernel drivers providing ‘routine’ functionality that are needed by nearly every OS kernel but which need to be implemented essentially afresh for each kernel, because kernel device-driver APIs differ for each kernel.

The goal of this project is to come up with a cross-OS in-kernel “API” that device driver writers could write their drivers to, so that they can share implementation effort across the OSes that implement the “kernel side” of this API.

The work here involves:

  • Defining a feasible in-kernel API for driver use.

  • Writing unambiguous standard that defines the API.

  • Creating reference implementations for two monolithic BSD-kernels.

  • Creating test frameworks for exercising API compliant drivers.

  • Setting up and managing a community process for evolving the API.

Prior Work

  • The “UNIX® SYSTEM V RELEASE 4 Device Driver Interface/Driver-Kernel Interface (DDI/DKI) Reference Manual”, AT&T Unix Software Operation, Prentice-Hall, ISBN 0-13-933680-X.