Abstract

In this paper we discuss some of the architectural principles which are useful to support the continuous media applications in a microkernel environment. In particular, we discuss i) the principle of upcall-driven application structuring whereby communications events are system rather than application initiated, ii) the principle of split-level system structuring whereby, key system .functions are carried out co-operatively between kernel and user level components and iii) the principle of decoupling of control transfer and data transfer. Under these general headings a number of particular mechanisms and techniques are discussed.