The Linux system architecture is a layered one. In a very simplistic way, but ideal to start on our path to understanding these details, the following diagram illustrates the Linux system architecture:
Figure 3: Linux – Simplified layered architecture
Layers help, because each layer need only be concerned with the layer directly above and below it. This leads to many advantages:
- Clean design, reduces complexity
- Standardization, interoperability
- Ability to swap layers in and out of the stack
- Ability to easily introduce new layers as required
On the last point, there exists the FTSE. To quote directly from Wikipedia:
