Process model

The QNX Neutrino OS architecture consists of the microkernel and some number of cooperating processes. These processes communicate with each other via various forms of interprocess communication (IPC). Message passing is the primary form of IPC in Neutrino.

Figure 1. The Neutrino architecture acts as a kind of "software bus" that lets you dynamically plug in/out OS modules.

The above diagram shows the graphics driver sending a message to the font manager when it wants the bitmap for a font. The font manager responds with the bitmap.