A comparison of the Linux and Windows device driver architectures

In this paper the device driver architectures currently used by two of the most popular operating systems, Linux and Microsoft's Windows, are examined. Driver components required when implementing device drivers for each operating system are presented and compared. The process of implementing a driver, for each operating system, that performs I/O to a kernel buffer is also presented. The paper concludes by examining the device driver development environments and facilities provided to developers by each operating system