The microkernels developed by the Operating Systems Group of TU Dresden are used to construct flexible systems. They are used as base for our TUD:OS and DROPS projects and are suitable for big and complex systems, but also for small, embedded applications.

Second-generation µ-kernel (microkernel):

• L4/Fiasco
• VFiasco

Third-generation µ-kernel (microkernel) and hypervisors (microhypervisor):

• Fiasco.OC - active
• NOVA - active
• Florence - discontinued - based on the L4.sec specification

L4/Fiasco is a second-generation µ-kernel (microkernel) running on several hardware platforms. Originally its intention was to be compatible with the L4 ABI as defined in the L4/x86 Reference Manual, however over the years the ABI was extended to support realtime and to ease paravirtualization of operating system (L4Linux).

Fiasco.OC is a third generation microkernel evolutionary developed out of L4/Fiasco. In contrast to second generation microkernels the authorization model is capability-based, hardware aided virtualization support and multi-core support were added. Fiasco.OC runs on PCs and embedded platforms like mobile phones.

NOVA is a third generation microkernel and hypervisor (microhypervisor). In contrast to Fiasco.OC NOVA is developed completely from scratch with the goal to form a small and efficient hardware aided virtualization hypervisor. NOVA runs on multi-core PCs.