OS6-a distributed operating system for the next generation of computer networks

Flexibility to adapt to radically different network environments will be key to the success of new distributed operating systems. An operating system must be able to support the distribution of objects on high bandwidth fiber-optic as well low-bandwidth wireless networks. In this position paper, we provide a sketch of OS6, a new operating system being designed to provide low latency run-time services in distributed environments made up of both high and low bandwidth networks. Efficient distribution of objects is maintained by special operating system agents that pre-fetch and cache data facilities as well as guard object consistency. Network-level multicast filtering supports the replication and consistency tasks performed by these agents. Support for mobility is provided by persistent virtual memory which guarantees consistent object state across reboots of the machine. Real-time quality of service guarantees for distributed multimedia applications are supported by a “meta-scheduler” that maps real-time operating system threads onto network flows with guaranteed resources