Architecture of Cisco IOS software
Cisco IOS might not applications like ms word,multimedia softwares. It is mainly for switching data packet and concentrated on switching packets quickly and efficiently.
Multitasking,threads,scheduling preemptive scheduling ,virtual memory support are the genral compilation of all modern operating system as well as cisco IOS. But Cisco IOS specialized for processing switching packets.
The architecture of Cisco IOS software is given below
There are five major sections
Processes - routing protocols, switchin packets, thread running and system management
Kernel - interaction between hardware device and I/O management. Resource management to process with memory resources
Packet buffers - holding the packets in memory buffers being switched
Device Drivers - involves in efficient packet switching,. Interface between IOS process, the kernel and the hardware
Fast Switching Software- To packet switching function with optimization