Comparison between kernel and firmware

Both the kernel and the firmware are two common components in a wide variety of devices such as computers, mobile phones or other electronic equipment.

Both play an important role in the operation of systems, but they differ in several aspects: their function, characteristics and even their useful life.

In this article, you will find a comparison that will help you understand more easily what they are and how they differ.

What is kernel and firmware

He kernel It is the heart of the operating system, whose main function is to manage all system resources to facilitate communication between hardware and software.

Basically it acts as a kind of bridge between the physical components of the device, such as the processor, memory or peripherals, and the applications that you use daily.

That is, what the kernel does is ensure that programs can access the hardware in a safe and efficient way, distributing in that process the resources that are necessary for its optimal functioning.

For his part, the firmware It is nothing more than specialized software that is made specifically to work with a type of hardware.

It fulfills the function of being able to provide the appropriate instructions so that the hardware can operate correctly without any problems.

Of course, unlike the kernel, which is normally involved in all the operations carried out by the system, the firmware as such focuses on controlling what would be the behavior of a particular component.

For example, it can be a motherboard, a printer or even a camera, allowing that device in question to have the possibility of fulfilling the basic function for which it was designed.

Where are the kernel and firmware located

In terms of location, it should be noted that the kernel can be found in the device’s memory during the operation of the operating system, since that is where it resides.

It is loaded when the system starts. That is, when you turn on your device, it remains in RAM to manage the necessary interactions between the software and hardware.

Of course, both its location and function within the system make it very dynamic, particularly because it is usually in continuous use and evolution while the system is operating.

Meanwhile, the firmware comes integrated directly into the hardware and is stored in non-volatile memory, such as ROM or flash.

This means that the firmware is not actually going to disappear when you turn off the device. It remains intact and then reactivates the hardware functions when you turn it on again.

This is a feature that gives it that static factor if you compare it to the kernel, because it is not constantly changing during the use of the device.

Updates

As the kernel usually has a very direct interaction with the operating system and plays a prominent role in resource management, it is usually updated regularly.

Each update of an operating system incorporates improvements or corrections to the kernel, either to optimize its performance, improve security or to accommodate new functionalities.

These updates can be critical, since a failure in the kernel is capable of considerably compromising the operation of the entire system as such.

Now, the firmware is updated less frequently than the kernel. The reason is that the firmware is created to be extremely stable and efficient from the beginning since its task is to guarantee the optimal functioning of a specific component.

In fact, updates usually occur in those cases where a very serious error needs to be corrected or a new function needs to be added to the hardware. However, they are changes that are not made very frequently.

The relationship they have with the hardware

On the one hand, the kernel works as an intermediary between applications and hardware. However, it is not closely related to a specific component of that system.

In this sense, what it does is interact with all the hardware elements in a very general way and managing resources such as the CPU, RAM and peripheral devices as requested by the applications at that moment. That is, its link with the hardware is indirect and is based mostly on mediation.

On the other hand, the firmware is directly embedded in the hardware and is actually exclusive to it. Each piece of hardware must contain its own firmware so that it can fulfill its functions.

In this sense, firmware is not something that you can easily exchange between different devices precisely because each one needs a clearly personalized set of instructions.

Permanence

Being housed in volatile memory (RAM), the kernel will always be temporary and will only be active when you have the system on.

Once you turn off the device, the kernel is erased from that memory and is reloaded when you reboot the system.

On the other hand, the firmware does have that permanent quality since it is housed in non-volatile memory. In fact, it is still present regardless of whether you have turned off the device.

What’s more, this ensures that the hardware always has the correct instructions to be able to function from the first moment you turn on the device in question.

Prices

The kernel can be free on open source operating systems, such as Linux, which can be very accessible for people who are looking for affordable technology solutions.

However, in systems that are more commercial such as Windows or macOS, the cost of the kernel is usually incorporated into the price of the operating system itself.

Although it is true that in open systems a series of additional expenses may arise to be able to customize it well or for its maintenance over time, in other systems this support is generally covered within the initial price.

For its part, the firmware, as it is integrated into the hardware, its value is included in the price of the device. Of course, its development is usually very expensive, as it is specific to each component, which tends to influence the final price of the product.

Although firmware updates can be free, there are specific cases that may entail additional expenses if more specialized improvements or updates need to be made.

Conclusions

Both the kernel and the firmware are very important components for a system, but they differ in their function, location, and their relationship to the hardware.

The kernel has the characteristic of being more dynamic because it is responsible for managing the resources of the operating system and is updated quite regularly. Its price varies depending on whether it is an open or commercial system.

Meanwhile, the firmware is usually integrated into the hardware so it has a considerable impact on the price of the device.

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