What Kind of Kernel Does Linux Have?

Linux is a monolithic kernel while OS X (XNU) and Windows 7 use hybrid kernels.

Why Linux is a monolithic kernel?

Monolithic kernel means that the whole operating system runs in kernel mode (i.e. highly privileged by the hardware). That is, no part of the OS runs in user mode (lower privilege). Only applications on top of the OS run in user mode.

Is Linux a kernel or OS?

Linux, in its nature, is not an operating system; it’s a Kernel. The Kernel is part of the operating system – And the most crucial. For it to be an OS, it is supplied with GNU software and other additions giving us the name GNU/Linux. Linus Torvalds made Linux open source in 1992, one year after it’s creation.