Though Linux is an extremely valuable OS for any sort of techie, it is very much a work in progress. One of the loopholes inherent in that process is the issue of DAC, or discretionary access control. DAC can defined as a method by which the access of certain objects is restricted based upon their origin. Want more? Click here. The DAC in the Linux kernel (a kernel is one of the main parts of an operating system that connects programs running on the OS to the data that they are processing) is simple and quite useful. Due to its simple design, however, it is not totally prepared for the modern IT environment. It also has a rather shoddy defense against malicious coding.

Some steps are being taken by the creators of Linux to shore up these issues with the kernel. However, one should bear in mind that it is a work in progress, and take the needed precautions to protect ones computer.

Once you get used to the operating system you will find a stable and enjoyable experience for most tasks, however, another major drawback can be the software in Linux. Though Linux offers tons of freeware and shareware programs many of them are much harder to install then software in Windows. If you rely on certain Windows programs for productivity and gaming you are likely to find that they don’t make a direct Linux version of said program.

If you are willing to get past the learning curve and use freeware alternatives for software then the pros will certainly outweigh the cons, if not this may not be the right OS for you.

Linux is perhaps one of the most easily modified operating systems in existence. It can be modified to suit anyones tasks, regardless of how big or small the task is. Some of the fastest computers in the world run Linux because of this. Not only is it easily modifiable, it works on a large range of computers and other computerized gadgets. Linux is often cheaper than other operating systems. Frequently, it is available free to the entry level user only requiring you to buy licenses for commercial implementations of the Linux distribution. Linux is also one of the most secure platforms in existence. Virtually no viruses exist for Linux, and those that do are patched as soon as they are found; Linux is updated for free, and has a large range of free to use software that is downloadable via the built in module installer.

So what does the Linux Kernel do?

A kernel is the lowest level of easily replaceable software that interfaces with the hardware in your computer. The Linux kernel is responsible for interfacing all of your applications that are running in “user mode” all the way down to the physical hardware. It allows processes also known as servers to get information from each other using inter-process communication (IPC).

There are different types of kernels but they usually fall into one of three types: monolithic, microkernel and hybrid. The Linux is a monolithic kernel.

As with any type of kernel, there are pros and cons with each. Here are the pros and cons for the monolithic kernels.

PROS:
-More direct access to hardware for programs
-Easier for processes to communicate between eachother
-If your device is supported, it should work with no additional installations
-Processes react faster because there isn’t a queue for processor time

CONS:
-Large install footprint
-Large memory footprint
-Less secure because everything runs in supervisor mode