Linux Protection Rings – Ring 0 Kernel Architecture

What is Ring 0 in Linux?

In Linux architecture, Ring 0 is the most privileged CPU protection ring where the Linux kernel executes. Ring 0 has unrestricted access to hardware, memory management, and CPU instructions.

Linux Protection Rings Explained

Protection rings are CPU privilege levels used to isolate kernel space from user space. Linux primarily uses Ring 0 for the kernel and Ring 3 for user applications. Intermediate rings exist in hardware but are generally unused by Linux.

CPU Privilege Rings in Linux

CPU privilege rings define which code can execute sensitive instructions. User programs run in Ring 3, while system calls trigger controlled transitions into Ring 0, ensuring system security and stability.

Linux Kernel Ring 0 Visualization

Kernel AI provides an interactive visualization of Linux kernel internals, illustrating how system calls, processes, and kernel subsystems operate inside Ring 0 in real time.