Formalising the L4 microkernel API
Authors
Rafal Kolanski and Gerwin Klein
School of Computer Science and Engineering
University of New South Wales
Sydney 2052 Australia
NICTA, Sydney,
Australia
Abstract
This paper gives an overview of a pilot project on the specification and verification of the L4 high-performance microkernel. Of the three aspects examined in the project, we describe one in more detail: the formalisation of the kernel's Application Programming Interface using the B Method. We conclude that machine-supported formal verification of software is at a turning point; that it is now feasible, and desirable, to formally verify production-quality operating systems.
BibTeX Entry
@inproceedings{Kolanski_Klein_06,
title = {Formalising the {L4} microkernel {API}},
series = {Conferences in Research and Practice in Information Technology},
booktitle = {Computing: The Australasian Theory Symposium (CATS 06)},
author = {Rafal Kolanski and Gerwin Klein},
year = {2006},
month = {Jan},
volume = {51},
editor = {Barry Jay and Joachim Gudmundsson},
address = {Hobart, Australia},
pages = {53--68}
}