An operating system (OS) is the fundamental software that acts as an intermediary between computer hardware and user applications. It manages hardware resources such as the CPU, memory, storage, and input/output devices, while providing essential services like process scheduling, file management, security, and user interfaces. Without an OS, users would need to interact directly with hardware, which is impractical for most tasks. Common examples include Microsoft Windows, which focuses on graphical user interfaces and broad hardware compatibility; Linux, known for its open-source nature and use in servers; and macOS, optimized for Apple hardware with emphasis on user experience and integration. Operating systems can be monolithic (where all components run in a single kernel space, like traditional Linux) or microkernel-based (where services run in user space for better modularity and reliability, like in Minix). They also handle multitasking, allowing multiple programs to run simultaneously, and provide abstractions like virtual memory to make programming easier.
I will first introduce traditional operating systems and its use in current desktops, mobile devices, and servers, and will compare them with my vision for distributed operating systems, as my proposal is MEVIA OS. The main use case is a world of AI agents (e.g. OpenClaw), more decentralized and operating 24/7, requiring then access, configuration, and communications with humans, anytime, anywhere for decision making and final touches as we free our time from being in front of our laptops.
Comparing Traditional Operating Systems
There are three main traditional Operating Systems: Windows, Linux, and MacOS. Their architectures are as follows:
Operating Systems Architecture
Windows
Microsoft Windows, first released in 1985 as Windows 1.0, evolved from MS-DOS as a graphical extension to provide a user-friendly interface for personal computers. Developed by Microsoft, it quickly became the dominant OS for desktops and laptops due to its compatibility with a wide range of hardware and software. Over the decades, versions like Windows 95 introduced the Start menu and internet integration, while Windows XP (2001) emphasized stability and multimedia. Modern iterations, such as Windows 11 (2021), focus on cloud integration, AI features like Copilot, and enhanced security with features like Windows Hello. Its history reflects Microsoft's strategy of backward compatibility, ensuring legacy applications run on new versions, which has contributed to its market share exceeding 70% in desktop OS usage as of 2023.
Windows operates on a hybrid kernel architecture, blending monolithic and microkernel elements for efficiency. The NT kernel, introduced in Windows NT 3.1 (1993), handles core functions like process management, memory allocation, and hardware abstraction. It runs in kernel mode for privileged operations and user mode for applications to prevent crashes from affecting the system. The OS supports multitasking through preemptive scheduling, allowing multiple processes to run concurrently. User interaction occurs via the graphical shell (Explorer.exe), with subsystems like Win32 for API calls. Security features include User Account Control (UAC) and BitLocker encryption, while updates are managed through Windows Update for ongoing improvements and patches.
Kernel: Manages hardware resources, process scheduling, and memory; hybrid design for performance.
Process Scheduler: Handles multitasking and priority-based execution of programs.
File System (NTFS): Supports large volumes, encryption, and permissions for data management.
Device Drivers: Interfaces with hardware like printers and GPUs via the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL).
User Interface (GUI): Includes Desktop, Start Menu, and Taskbar for intuitive navigation.
Security Subsystem: Features like Windows Defender and firewall for threat protection.
Networking Stack: Manages TCP/IP, Wi-Fi, and cloud services integration.
Linux
Linux originated in 1991 when Linus Torvalds created a free, open-source kernel as an alternative to proprietary Unix systems. Inspired by Minix, it was released under the GNU General Public License, fostering community collaboration. Distributions (distros) like Ubuntu (2004) and Fedora bundle the kernel with tools from the GNU project, making it accessible for servers, desktops, and embedded devices. Its history highlights adaptability, powering over 90% of cloud servers and supercomputers by 2023, thanks to contributions from companies like Red Hat and Canonical. Linux's philosophy emphasizes modularity, stability, and customization, appealing to developers and enterprises.
Linux uses a monolithic kernel where all core services run in kernel space for speed, though modules can be loaded dynamically. It boots via init systems like systemd, managing services and hardware detection. Processes are scheduled using algorithms like Completely Fair Scheduler (CFS) for efficient resource allocation. File systems such as ext4 provide robust data handling with journaling for crash recovery. The OS supports multiple users through permissions and supports shells like Bash for command-line interaction, with graphical environments (e.g., GNOME, KDE) optional. Networking is built-in with tools like iptables for firewalls, and package managers (e.g., apt, yum) simplify software installation.
Kernel: Core monolithic structure handling CPU, memory, and I/O; supports loadable modules.
Process Management: Includes scheduler for multitasking and init/systemd for service control.
File System (ext4, Btrfs): Manages storage with features like snapshots and error correction.
Device Drivers: Integrated into kernel or as modules for hardware support.
Shell/User Interface: Command-line (CLI) via Bash/Zsh; optional GUIs like X Window System or Wayland.
Security Modules: SELinux or AppArmor for mandatory access control.
Networking: Robust stack with support for protocols, VPNs, and server configurations.
macOS
macOS, formerly OS X, traces its roots to 1984's Macintosh System Software but was revolutionized in 2001 with OS X 10.0, based on NeXTSTEP acquired from Steve Jobs' NeXT. Developed by Apple, it integrates tightly with Apple hardware for optimized performance. Key milestones include macOS Sierra (2016) with Siri integration and macOS Ventura (2022) emphasizing continuity features like Universal Control. By 2023, it holds about 16% of the desktop market, prized for creative professionals due to its Unix-like foundation and ecosystem synergy with iOS. Its history underscores Apple's focus on user experience, security, and innovation.
macOS employs a hybrid kernel called XNU, combining Mach microkernel for messaging with BSD Unix for POSIX compliance. It runs on Darwin, an open-source base, managing resources efficiently on Apple Silicon (M-series chips since 2020). The Aqua interface provides a polished GUI with gestures and animations, while Core Services handle tasks like file sharing. Multitasking uses Grand Central Dispatch for parallelism, and security features Gatekeeper and XProtect. App management occurs via the App Store, with seamless iCloud integration for data syncing across devices.
Kernel (XNU): Hybrid with Mach for inter-process communication and BSD for Unix compatibility.
Process Scheduler: Manages threads and priorities using Grand Central Dispatch.
File System (APFS): Supports encryption, snapshots, and fast cloning for data efficiency.
I/O Kit: Framework for device drivers, ensuring hardware integration.
User Interface (Aqua): Includes Dock, Mission Control, and Spotlight for search.
Security Framework: Features like FileVault, SIP (System Integrity Protection), and privacy controls.
Networking: Built-in support for AirDrop, Bonjour, and internet protocols.
APIs and Kernel design
Distributed Operating Systems
A distributed operating system extends the concept of a traditional OS across multiple networked computers or devices, making them appear as a single, cohesive system to the user. Unlike a standard OS confined to one machine, a distributed OS coordinates resources (e.g., processing power, storage, memory) over a network, enabling fault tolerance, scalability, and load balancing. Examples include historical systems like Amoeba (developed at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, which treated a cluster of machines as one entity with shared processes) or Plan 9 from Bell Labs (which distributed file systems and namespaces across networks). Modern equivalents can be seen in cloud platforms like Kubernetes, which orchestrate containers as if they were part of a unified OS. Key challenges in distributed OS include network latency, data consistency, and synchronization, often addressed through protocols like remote procedure calls (RPC) or message passing.
MEVIA OS: A Distributed Operating System
MEVIA OS, as detailed in US Patent 12346399B2, is a distributed operating system designed to enable seamless, web-based interactions across heterogeneous devices, primarily using mobile devices (e.g., smartphones or tablets) as controllers and smart televisions or other displays as output devices. It operates through a Device Connect Platform (DCP), which serves as the core middleware, handling messaging, streaming, and computation in cloud-based or decentralized environments. This setup allows for real-time control of web applications on remote displays without requiring native software installations, leveraging standard web technologies like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, WebSockets for bidirectional communication, and WebRTC for peer-to-peer media streaming.
The following figure shows how different applications are routed and messages passed from one application to the displaying application in a decentralized way.
Message Passing between Controllers and Applications
Key components and functionalities include:
