Microkernel/Requirements

From Logos

Logos Microkernel Software Requirements Specification (SRS)[edit]

Version 1.0 Prepared by Jarrad 2024-12-25

1. Introduction[edit]

1.1 Purpose[edit]

This Software Requirements Specification (SRS) document provides a detailed description of the Logos Microkernel, which serves as the foundation for a privacy-preserving, decentralized technology stack. The microkernel is designed to support a modular plugin(module) framework for a peer-to-peer (P2P) decentralised technology stack with a focus on privacy and resistance against state-level adversaries.

1.2 Document Conventions[edit]

This document follows these conventions:

  • Requirements are categorized as either Functional (FR) or Non-Functional (NFR)
  • Priority levels are defined as:
    • MUST: Essential requirement
    • SHOULD: Important but not essential
    • MAY: Optional requirement
  • Requirements are uniquely identified using the format: [Category]-[Number]
  • Example: FR-001, NFR-001

1.3 Intended Audience and Reading Suggestions[edit]

This document is intended for:

  • Software developers implementing the microkernel
  • System architects designing higher-level components
  • Security researchers evaluating the system
  • Project stakeholders understanding system capabilities

Readers should first review sections 1 and 2 for a high-level understanding. Developers should focus on sections 3 and 4 for technical details. Security researchers should prioritize sections 4.3 and 5.2.

1.4 Product Scope[edit]

The Logos Microkernel is designed to:

  • Provide a foundational layer for a decentralized technology stack
  • Enable privacy-preserving P2P communication and computation
  • Support modular plugin architecture for extensibility
  • Facilitate secure and anonymous network communication
  • Enable development of decentralized applications (dApps)

The microkernel will serve as the core component supporting higher-level services including:

  • Network Overlays
  • Module Manager (Package Manager & Dependency Resolution)
  • A Peer Data Management System (Search & Content Discovery)
  • Nomos (Private Multi-chain Network)
  • Codex (Private Storage)
  • Waku (Private Communications)

1.5 References[edit]

  1. GNUnet Design Goals and Architecture
  2. Freenet Project Documentation
  3. IEEE 830-1998 SRS Guidelines

2. Overall Description[edit]

2.1 Product Perspective[edit]

The Logos Microkernel is a foundational component of a larger decentralized technology stack. It operates as an independent system that provides core module lifecycle management capabilities. The microkernel’s primary responsibility is to:

  1. Load and unload modules safely
  2. Manage module lifecycle states
  3. Provide isolation between modules
  4. Enable secure inter-module communication

The microkernel does not handle module dependency resolution, versioning, or discovery - these are responsibilities of a separate Module Manager component.

2.2 Product Functions[edit]

The major functions of the Logos Microkernel include:

  1. Module Lifecycle Management
    • Load modules into isolated environments
    • Initialize modules in a controlled manner
    • Monitor module health and resource usage
    • Gracefully terminate and unload modules
  2. Module Isolation
    • Enforce memory isolation between modules
    • Control access to system resources
    • Manage permissions and capabilities
  3. Inter-module Communication
    • Provide secure message passing between modules
    • Enforce communication policies and restrictions
    • Handle communication failures safely

2.3 User Classes and Characteristics[edit]

The system serves several user classes:

  1. End Users
    • Interact through applications built on the platform
    • Require privacy and security
    • May have varying technical expertise
  2. Application Developers
    • Build dApps using the microkernel
    • Need clear APIs and documentation
    • Require reliable plugin system
  3. Node Operators
    • Run network infrastructure
    • Need monitoring and management tools
    • Require system stability
  4. Core Developers
    • Maintain and extend the microkernel
    • Need detailed technical documentation
    • Require testing and debugging tools

2.4 Operating Environment[edit]

The microkernel must operate in the following environment:

  • Hardware: Various architectures (x86_64, ARM)
  • Operating Systems: Linux, potentially others
  • Network: Internet-connected environments
  • Resource Constraints: Varied (mobile to server)
  • Security Context: Potentially hostile network environments

2.5 Design and Implementation Constraints[edit]

The following constraints apply:

  1. Technical Constraints:
    • Must be implemented in systems programming languages (e.g., Nim, Rust)
    • Must support cross-platform compilation
    • Must operate with limited resources when needed
  2. Security Constraints:
    • Must implement strong cryptographic protocols
    • Must maintain privacy against state-level adversaries
    • Must isolate plugin components
  3. Regulatory Constraints:
    • Must use open-source licenses
    • Must protect user privacy

2.6 User Documentation[edit]

The following documentation will be provided:

  1. Technical Documentation:
    • Architecture Overview
    • API Reference
    • Plugin Development Guide
    • Security Model Documentation
  2. Operational Documentation:
    • Installation Guide
    • Configuration Guide
    • Troubleshooting Guide
    • Best Practices

2.7 Assumptions and Dependencies[edit]

Assumptions:

  • Network connectivity is available but unreliable
  • Users prioritize privacy over performance
  • Hostile network environments are common

Dependencies:

  • Cryptographic libraries
  • Operating system capabilities

3. External Interface Requirements[edit]

3.1 User Interfaces[edit]

The microkernel itself does not provide direct user interfaces but must support:

  1. Module Interface Requirements:
    • Standardized API for module integration
    • Error reporting mechanisms
    • Resource usage monitoring
    • Configuration management
  2. Management Interface Requirements:
    • Command-line interface for system control
    • Monitoring endpoints
    • Logging interface
    • Debug interfaces

3.2 Hardware Interfaces[edit]

The microkernel must interface with:

  1. Network Hardware:
    • Network interface cards
    • Wireless adapters
    • Virtual interfaces
  2. System Hardware:
    • CPU management
    • Memory management
    • Storage devices
    • Random number generators

3.3 Software Interfaces[edit]

Required software interfaces include:

  1. Operating System:
    • Process management
    • Memory management
    • File system access
    • Network stack access
  2. External Services:
    • Module repositories
    • Network bootstrapping services
    • Time synchronization services

3.4 Communications Interfaces[edit]

The microkernel must support:

  1. Inter-process Communication:
    • Module communication
    • System service communication
    • Management interface communication

4. System Features[edit]

4.1 Module Lifecycle Management[edit]

4.1.1 Description[edit]

The Module Lifecycle Management system handles the loading, execution, and unloading of modules in a secure and controlled manner.

4.1.2 Functional Requirements[edit]

FR-001: Module States and Transitions[edit]
  • The system MUST implement basic state management:
    • Core module states:
      • LOADED: Module binary loaded but not initialized
      • RUNNING: Module actively executing
      • TERMINATED: Module execution completed
    • Basic state transitions
    • Basic consistency checks
    • Basic notifications
  • The system SHOULD support advanced states:
    • Additional states:
      • INITIALIZING: Startup sequence
      • PAUSED: Temporarily suspended
      • TERMINATING: Cleanup in progress
    • Complex state transitions
    • Advanced consistency management
    • Detailed state notifications
FR-002: Resource Management[edit]
  • The system MUST implement basic resource control:
    • Basic memory management:
      • Memory region allocation
      • Basic isolation
    • Basic resource tracking:
      • CPU usage
      • Memory limits
      • Basic file handles
      • Basic leak prevention
      • Basic quotas
  • The system SHOULD implement advanced resource management:
    • Advanced tracking:
      • Detailed CPU scheduling
      • Fine-grained memory control
      • Complex handle management
      • Network resource control
    • Advanced leak prevention
    • Dynamic quota adjustment
FR-003: Security and Isolation[edit]
  • The system MUST enforce memory isolation:
    • Separate address spaces per module
    • Memory access control lists
    • Stack and heap protection
  • The system MUST implement basic security:
    • Resource access control
    • Basic capability management
    • Revocation support
  • The system SHOULD implement advanced security:
    • Fine-grained capability controls
    • End-to-end encryption between modules
    • Message authentication
    • Anti-tampering protections
FR-004: Error Handling and Recovery[edit]
  • The system MUST handle basic errors:
    • Module crashes
    • Resource exhaustion
    • Invalid state transitions
    • Basic communication failures
  • The system MUST provide basic recovery:
    • Error isolation between modules
    • Module restart capability
    • Basic state recovery
  • The system SHOULD support advanced recovery:
    • Graceful degradation
    • Complex failure handling
    • Comprehensive state recovery
    • Detailed audit logging
FR-005: Module Communication and Interaction[edit]
  • The system MUST support fundamental communication:
    • Basic IPC mechanisms:
      • Shared memory regions for data transfer
      • Message passing primitives
      • Lock-free queues for control messages
      • Memory protection between modules
    • Core interaction patterns:
      • Direct communication channels
      • Event notification system
      • Publish/subscribe mechanisms
      • Request/response patterns
    • Essential security:
      • Module authentication
      • Access control enforcement
      • Resource isolation
      • Message integrity verification
  • The system MUST provide service management:
    • Service discovery:
      • Module capability advertisement
      • Service endpoint discovery
      • Dynamic service binding
      • Version negotiation
    • Capability management:
      • Resource access capabilities
      • Communication permissions
      • Service usage rights
      • Access tracking
  • The system SHOULD implement performance features:
    • Advanced IPC:
      • Zero-copy message passing
      • Direct memory access for trusted modules
      • NUMA-aware memory allocation
      • Memory mapped channels
    • Performance optimizations:
      • Batching for small messages
      • Pipeline parallelism
      • Memory pre-allocation
      • Cache-line alignment
      • Thread affinity control
      • Dynamic buffer sizing
    • Communication enhancements:
      • Fast-path for trusted modules
      • Asynchronous messaging with backpressure
      • Priority-based routing
      • Stream processing pipelines
  • The system SHOULD support advanced security:
    • Enhanced authentication:
      • Cryptographic identity verification
      • Trust level validation
      • Runtime integrity monitoring
    • Advanced isolation:
      • Capability delegation controls
      • Fine-grained access control
      • Secure channel establishment
      • Optional encryption for sensitive data
  • The system SHOULD implement network module privileges:
    • Raw socket access capabilities
    • Direct hardware interface access
    • Priority scheduling options
    • Enhanced resource quotas
  • The system SHOULD provide performance guarantees:
    • Quality of Service enforcement:
      • Bandwidth guarantees
      • Latency requirements
      • Priority levels
      • Resource reservations
    • Resource allocation:
      • Dynamic thread pool management
      • Memory pre-allocation strategies
      • I/O scheduling priorities
      • CPU affinity control
FR-007: System Resource Management[edit]
  • The system MUST provide basic OS resource access:
    • Basic network integration:
      • Socket virtualization
      • Basic namespace isolation
      • Protocol registration
    • Basic resource access:
      • File descriptor management
      • System call mediation
      • Device access control
  • The system MUST implement basic virtualization:
    • Basic network interfaces:
      • Basic traffic isolation
      • Protocol filtering
    • Basic resource isolation:
      • Filesystem sandboxing
      • IPC control
      • Resource accounting
  • The system MUST support basic configuration:
    • Basic network settings:
      • Interface configuration
      • Protocol settings
    • Basic system settings:
      • Access policies
      • IPC parameters
      • Basic monitoring
  • The system SHOULD support advanced features:
    • Advanced network features:
      • Complex traffic isolation
      • QoS management
      • Advanced routing
      • Traffic shaping
    • Advanced resource management:
      • Fine-grained virtualization
      • Advanced monitoring
      • Performance tuning
FR-008: Module Verification and Security[edit]
  • The system MUST implement basic verification:
    • Basic signature checks
    • Hash verification
    • Version checks
  • The system MUST provide basic integrity:
    • Basic runtime validation
    • Memory boundary checks
    • Basic trust levels
  • The system MUST support basic updates:
    • Module replacement
    • Basic state transfer
  • The system SHOULD implement advanced security:
    • Advanced integrity monitoring:
      • Control flow integrity
      • Deep runtime validation
    • Advanced trust management:
      • Dynamic trust adjustment
      • Fine-grained access control
    • Advanced update features:
      • Atomic updates
      • Complex state transfer
      • Rollback support

5. Other Nonfunctional Requirements[edit]

5.1 Performance Requirements[edit]

NFR-001: Response Time[edit]

  • The system MUST process messages within 100ms (TBD)
  • The system SHOULD optimize for low latency
  • The system MAY prioritize critical messages

NFR-002: Scalability[edit]

  • The system MUST support thousands of peers
  • The system SHOULD scale horizontally
  • The system MAY adapt to network size

5.2 Security Requirements[edit]

NFR-003: Hardware Security Integration[edit]

  • The system SHOULD support hardware security features where available:
    • Hardware encryption acceleration
    • Memory protection mechanisms
  • The system MUST gracefully degrade when hardware security features are unavailable
  • The system SHOULD utilize secure enclaves when available

NFR-004: Cryptographic Security[edit]

  • The system MUST implement basic cryptography:
    • Standard cryptographic algorithms
    • Basic key management
    • Basic algorithm selection
  • The system SHOULD implement advanced features:
    • Quantum attack resistance
    • Advanced key storage
    • Algorithm agility
    • Advanced cryptographic protocols

NFR-005: Privacy Protection[edit]

  • The system MUST provide basic privacy:
    • Basic traffic protection
    • Basic metadata protection
    • Basic data erasure
  • The system SHOULD implement advanced privacy:
    • Advanced traffic analysis prevention
    • Perfect forward secrecy
    • Comprehensive metadata protection
    • Side-channel attack prevention

NFR-006: Recovery[edit]

  • The system MUST support basic recovery:
    • Basic crash handling
    • Basic state recovery
    • Basic integrity checks
  • The system SHOULD support advanced recovery:
    • Advanced crash consistency
    • Power loss recovery
    • Advanced integrity verification
    • Forensic capabilities

5.3 Software Quality Attributes[edit]

NFR-007: Reliability[edit]

  • The system MUST provide basic reliability:
    • Basic failure handling
    • Basic data integrity
    • Basic failure isolation
    • Basic monitoring
  • The system SHOULD implement advanced reliability:
    • Self-healing capabilities
    • Advanced failure handling
    • Comprehensive monitoring
    • Advanced watchdog mechanisms

NFR-008: Maintainability[edit]

  • The system MUST support basic maintenance:
    • Basic modularity
    • Basic documentation
    • Basic debugging support
    • Basic diagnostics
  • The system SHOULD support advanced maintenance:
    • Advanced debugging capabilities
    • Live debugging features
    • Advanced diagnostic tools
    • Performance profiling

NFR-009: Auditability[edit]

  • The system MUST provide basic auditing:
    • Basic event logging
    • Basic security events
    • Basic log protection
    • Basic log management
  • The system SHOULD support advanced auditing:
    • Detailed audit trails
    • Advanced forensics
    • Tamper-proof logging
    • Advanced log rotation

5.4 Business Rules[edit]

NFR-010: Compliance[edit]

  • The system MUST be open source
  • The system MUST respect user privacy
  • The system SHOULD follow standards

6. Other Requirements[edit]

  1. Legal Requirements
    • Compliance with open-source licensing
  2. Internationalization
    • Support for multiple languages
  3. Documentation Requirements
    • Technical specifications
    • API documentation
    • Security documentation
    • User guides
  4. Environmental Requirements
    • Energy efficiency
    • Resource optimization
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