8 Kernel Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

Unlike most kernel books that focus narrowly on theory, Richard McDougall and Jim Mauro bring firsthand expertise from Sun Microsystems to illuminate the Solaris 10 and OpenSolaris kernels in depth. You’ll gain detailed understanding of key subsystems like virtual memory, process scheduling, and TCP/IP networking, with practical insights on using Solaris observability tools such as DTrace and MDB. This book suits developers, system programmers, and administrators who need to navigate Solaris internals confidently, especially when diagnosing or optimizing system behavior. For example, the chapters on resource management and zones offer concrete details that help you manage Solaris environments effectively.

What if everything you knew about writing FreeBSD device drivers was wrong? Joseph Kong challenges assumptions by presenting a focused exploration of FreeBSD’s unique driver frameworks and hardware interfaces. You’ll gain a deep understanding of Newbus, ISA, PCI, USB buses, and how to optimize performance with DMA—skills often scattered across obscure sources until now. The book’s tutorial approach, dissecting real drivers like the USB printer and Intel PCI Ethernet adapter, equips you to handle complex synchronization and bus management with confidence. If you’re ready to move beyond guesswork and master device driver development on FreeBSD, this book is tailored for your journey.

This tailored book explores the intricate world of kernel internals and system programming with a focus on your specific interests and goals. It examines core concepts such as process scheduling, memory management, and device interaction, while diving into advanced topics like synchronization and kernel debugging. By aligning the content with your background and desired learning path, this personalized guide reveals the complexities of kernel architecture in a way that matches your pace and objectives. The book’s tailored approach helps you build a deep, practical understanding of kernel design and programming, making complex concepts accessible and relevant to your unique learning journey.

Drawing from their combined advanced academic training and real-world kernel programming experience, Enrico Perla and Massimiliano Oldani dive deep into the mechanics of kernel exploitation across multiple operating systems. You’ll explore foundational concepts like memory corruption and race conditions, then see how these vulnerabilities are targeted in UNIX derivatives, Mac OS X, and Windows. The book goes beyond surface-level tricks, offering a stepwise look at creating reliable exploits and analyzing remote kernel attacks, such as the SCTP vulnerability in Linux. If you're looking to understand kernel internals through the lens of security and attack methods, this book offers a detailed, technical roadmap.

The methods Pavel Yosifovich developed while mastering Windows internals shine through in this detailed guide to writing kernel drivers. You’ll learn how to work with Windows system components like processes, threads, and the Registry, gaining skills to monitor and intercept system events through kernel-mode code. The book’s second edition introduces fresh topics such as the Windows Filtering Platform, expanding your toolkit with advanced programming techniques. This volume suits developers aiming to deepen their understanding of Windows kernel programming beyond hardware interaction, especially those interested in system-level software and security.

Liz Rice brings her extensive background in cloud native networking and open source leadership to this book, written for developers and system administrators eager to understand eBPF's impact on the Linux kernel. You’ll learn how to write and manipulate eBPF programs, attach them to kernel events, and explore the ways this technology reshapes observability, security, and networking without altering applications themselves. For example, the book explains how eBPF tools can instrument running applications to provide insights in real-time, a skill critical for modern infrastructure. If you’re curious about kernel-level programming with immediate practical applications, this book offers a solid foundation, though it’s best suited for those with some familiarity with Linux internals.

This tailored book dives into the practical art of writing and debugging kernel code within a focused 30-day timeframe. It explores core concepts of kernel module development, debugging techniques, and optimization practices, all aligned specifically to your current knowledge and goals. By tailoring content to your background and interests, it offers a personalized learning path that streamlines complex kernel topics into manageable, actionable steps. The book examines essential tools and coding patterns, helping you build confidence in managing kernel internals efficiently. This personalized approach ensures you engage deeply with the material that matters most to your kernel programming journey, making complex topics accessible and relevant.

Jonathan Levin's deep expertise in Apple operating systems shines through in this detailed exploration of macOS and iOS user mode internals. You’ll gain a thorough understanding of layered system architecture, private frameworks, process and thread management, plus advanced debugging methods rarely covered elsewhere. The book’s hands-on style, with code decompilation and links to open source, equips you to navigate Apple's complex internals effectively. If you're working directly with Apple OS internals or developing tools that require intimate system knowledge, this book offers the depth and precision you need without unnecessary jargon.

What started as a challenge to make Linux accessible for novices became Denver Geiger's comprehensive five-book series that takes you from the basics to advanced kernel mastery. You’ll learn essential terminal commands, how the Linux kernel operates, and practical security measures, all framed through clear explanations and hands-on exercises. Geiger’s approach breaks down complex concepts like system automation and network management, making them approachable without oversimplifying. This bundle suits anyone serious about building solid Linux skills, particularly those ready to move beyond surface-level tutorials into deeper technical understanding.

After years contributing to Linux kernel projects at Google and Novell, Robert Love developed this book to share the inner workings of the Linux kernel with programmers aiming to deepen their understanding and improve their coding efficiency. You’ll explore detailed explanations of major kernel subsystems like process management, memory handling, and scheduling, including insights on newer features such as the CFS scheduler and preemptive kernel. The book also offers practical guidance on debugging and submitting kernel patches, making it a solid resource if you want to write kernel code or get a clearer picture of Linux internals. This is a fit if you’re comfortable with systems programming and want both theory and practical knowledge without fluff.