Object identification in the lego kernel

Abstract

In a message‐based operating system, the kernel is responsible for forwarding messages to destination objects using a destination identifier. Part of the kernel overhead in processing the message involves mapping the identifier into a network address. This paper describes how the choice of identifier structure has simplified the techniques used by the Lego kernel when handling messages, notably: minimizing the overheads associated with address mapping, eliminating the reception of unwanted network packets, while permitting both individual (unicast) and group (multicast) communications.