A Flat Model Base Device Driver For OS/2

Abstract

of Project The recent interest in Network Computers (NC) has kindled somewhat of a rebirth in as a platform for an Intel-based NC. With the bloated Workplace Shell and other Graphical User Interface (GUI) components removed, the OS/2 kernel makes a good foundation for a Java-based workstation. It requires the installation of a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and the required operating system support for the Java Application Programming Interface (API). Once enabled, the system will allow for the execution of Java applets and Java applications using the underlying OS/2 kernel for memory management, scheduling, dispatching, and device support. In order to take advantage of the new crop of device architectures now emerging, such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), Firewire, and others, the OS/2 device driver interface must be redesigned to support both the older 16-bit device drivers and a new crop of 32-bit device drivers 1 . In order to insure continued support, the drivers should be written wi..