An API for Bare Machine Computing Applications

Conventional computing systems require some form of an OS or kernel to run applications. These include minimal OSs and small kernels such as tiny Linux kernels, and embedded OSs. In a bare machine computing (BMC) system there is no OS or kernel, thus enabling applications to be completely self-supporting while eliminating OS vulnerabilities and overhead. These applications, which are currently written in C/C++ with some assembly code, run on desktops or laptops with Intel x86 CPUs, and integrate the necessary BMC software and hardware interfaces. This paper provides internal details of several such BMC interfaces showing how they are designed, implemented and integrated with OS-independent applications. BMC interfaces could be adapted in future for use in database servers for Big Data applications, controllers for software defined networking, and IoT devices or smart phones with a view towards improving security and performance.