< operating system > The GNU project's replacement for the Unix kernel . The Hurd is a collection of servers that run on the Mach microkernel to implement file systems , network protocols , file access control, and other features that are implemented by the Unix kernel or similar kernels such as Linux . The GNU C Library provides the Unix system call interface, and calls the Hurd for services it can't provide itself.
The Hurd aims to establish a framework for shared development and maintenance, allowing a broad range of users to share projects without knowing much about the internal workings of the system - projects that might never have been attempted without freely available source, a well-designed interface, and a multi-server-based design.
Currently there are free ports of the Mach kernel to the Intel 80386 IBM PC , the DEC PMAX workstation , the Luna 88k , with more in progress, including the Amiga and DEC Alpha -3000 machines.
According to Thomas Bushnell, BSG, the primary architect of the Hurd: 'Hurd' stands for 'Hird of Unix-Replacing Daemons' and 'Hird' stands for 'Hurd of Interfaces Representing Depth'. Possibly the first software to be named by a pair of mutually recursive acronyms.
The Hurd Home .
[June 1994 GNU's Bulletin].
(2004-02-24)