Microsoft engineer proposes OS redesign for multi-core CPUs

Microsoft kernel expert Dave Probert has proposed that developers redesign the basic architecture of current operating system to fully take advantage of multi-core processors. Probert says a multi-core based operating system would look quite different from Windows or Unix, he envisions an OS that would function more like a hypervisor, by acting as a layer between the actual hardware and the virtual machine.

"The key may not be in throwing more energy into refining techniques such as parallel programming, but rather rethinking the basic abstractions that make up the operating systems model," Probert explained in a Urbana-Champaign Parallel Computing keynote quoted by Network World.

"Today's computers don't get enough performance out of their multicore chips. Why should you ever, with all this parallel hardware, ever be waiting for your computer? Responsiveness really is king. This is what people want."

More info at TG Daimy.