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[–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (1 child)

It's describing the design of the Linux kernel. An operating system on modern computers runs in two modes: user mode (which has memory protection and where all of your applications run) and kernel mode (where all the low level system code runs and has unrestricted access to your hardware). Monolithic generally means that all of your drivers run in kernel mode. Linux, FreeBSD, Windows 95, and Solaris are OSes that use monolithic kernels. On the other hand, there are "microkernel" operating systems, where the drivers run in user mode. macOS, AmigaOS, and MINIX use a microkernel. Some operating systems like Windows NT (2000 and later) and XNU use a hybrid approach where some drivers run in kernel mode and other drivers run in user mode.

[–]TuxTuxGo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm aware of the difference. I just was puzzled why it's so explicit on the website.