Linux Software Architecture / Structure

[PastAsNew]

It would be very helpful if someone could point me to an explanation (preferably with block diagram) of Linux's software architecture. By that I do not mean what hardware architectures Linux runs on, but how Linux itself is structurally organised. For example:-

• How is the kernel organised? What are its main components.
• Where do hardware drivers fit into the grand scheme of Linux? How do they interface into the rest of the system? So for instance, if non-kernel code needs to access hardware, does it have a direct interface to the hardware driver, or does it go via the kernel?
• How does non-kernel code sit within the overall structure?
• How do distro-specifics sit within the overall structure?
• Etc, etc.

Is there any sort of technical manual available for Linux that might show this? Online or book?

Thanks.

[PastAsNew]

I've sussed a couple of useful-looking links so far ...

Anatomy of the Linux kernel

Concrete Architecture of the Linux Kernel

... which both look good to me in their different ways. Any more anyone?

[Thrillhouse]

I thought this diagram was helpful to visualize things when I came across it a while back.

[PastAsNew]

I thought this diagram was helpful to visualize things when I came across it a while back.

That is brilliant - thanks. A good graphical reference.