The team lacks kernel expertise
The application team has reached a driver, block layer, file filter or systems API boundary.
OS kernels and systems components
Custom driver and system-filter development
Development, porting and stabilization of components below the application layer that determine the reliability of the whole product.
Problems addressed
When the problem reaches the OS kernel
Platform implementations diverge
Linux, Windows and macOS versions evolve independently and behave differently.
A defect is hard to reproduce
A crash, race or corruption appears only under load or in a customer environment.
SPECIALIST SERVICES
Choose the problem that needs to be solved
Each page describes a distinct project type, its risks, starting stage and validation criteria.
WINDOWS
Windows driver development
WDM, KMDF, UMDF, PCIe, USB, virtual devices and release preparation.
Open service →LINUXLinux drivers and kernel modules
Devices, proprietary data paths, kernel-version porting and profiling.
Open service →FILTERSWindows system filters
File-system minifilters, storage/volume filters and WFP callout drivers.
Open service →DEBUGGINGBSOD and hang diagnostics
WinDbg, dumps, Driver Verifier, races, leaks and memory corruption.
Open service →Scope of responsibility
Scope I can take ownership of
- Linux kernel modules, block devices, device mapper and file systems
- Windows WDM/WDF/UMDF, storage and file-system filters
- macOS Endpoint Security and system extensions
- virtual devices, I/O paths, encryption and event interception
- WinDbg, crash dumps, race analysis, memory corruption and porting
Diagnostics and stabilization
Driver defects are resolved from evidence, not guesswork
From bugcheck and memory-dump analysis to a reproducible stress test and regression validation.
Bugcheck and crash dump
Stack, stop code, faulting instruction, symbols, offsets and root-cause analysis even after system-data corruption.
IRQL and memory
Pageable memory at elevated IRQL, invalid pointers, DMA, use-after-free and pool corruption.
Resource leaks
Pool tags, PoolMon, uncompleted IRPs, synchronization objects and resources left allocated at unload.
Hangs and races
Recursive mutex/spinlock acquisition, lost request completion, interrupt handlers and SMP concurrency.
Intermittent defects
Load, low-memory conditions, CPU-speed sensitivity, release-only faults, structure alignment and optimizer differences.
Fix validation
Minimal reproducer, Driver Verifier/stress, negative tests and CI regression coverage.
Technical publicationThe article “Debugging Errors in Windows NT Drivers” examines bugchecks, IRQL, pool leaks, uncompleted IRPs, deadlocks and multiprocessor defects in detail.
Debugging Windows driver failures →First engagement
A practical starting point
Technical assessment
Architecture, risks, bottlenecks and a validation plan.
Performance cycle
Baseline, profiling, changes and repeated measurement.
Hypothesis validation
A working critical-path prototype and full implementation estimate.
Minimum paid engagement: 3 business days, from RUB 200,000 or the equivalent in another currency. After a short introductory call, scope, deliverables, validation method and price are fixed.
Engagement model
KernelSoft is an independent expert practice
Maxim personally owns architecture, critical code, diagnostics and final technical review. Additional engineers or domain specialists are involved only by customer agreement, with roles and accountability defined in advance.
28+years
60+patents
14years at Acronis
2,400+citations
Discuss the project
Describe the problem, current implementation and target outcome
Include the platform, what already exists, where the problem occurs, the target load and the acceptance criterion. This is enough to choose a sensible first stage and validation method.
Target response time: one business dayNext: a short introduction → an NDA if needed → agreement on the first stage.