Posts Tagged with 'virtualization'

The rise of non-Windows operating systems in the enterprise and the easy availability of powerful hardware is killing the "one OS for one box" model. This is a good thing because it allows users to easily work with, test on, and develop for multiple operating systems. And the best way to accomplish this is with virtualization.

Virtualization has recently become important technology for embedded systems. So, it is important for embedded-systems developers to understand the power and limitations of virtualization. This paper presents an introduction to virtualization technology and specifically discusses its application to embedded systems. It explains the inherent differences between the enterprise-systems style of virtualization and embedded system virtualization. It explains virtualization’s benefits in embedded systems, and with regard to security and IP protection. It discusses the limitations of plain virtualization approaches in embedded systems. These relate to the highly-integrated nature of embedded systems, specifically security and reliability requirements. It presents the microkernel approach to virtualization, and explains the microkernel’s suitability for embedded systems. It shows how microkernels like Open Kernel’s OKL4 technology overcome limitations of plain virtualization.

Being technical, you're probably eager to jump into the "how" of virt. But let's take a step back for a minute and look at just "what" this technology is.

Ubuntu JeOS (pronounced" juice") is an efficient variant of the Ubuntu Server operating system, configured specifically for virtual appliances. Soren Hansen and Nick Barcet discuss how to use JeOS to create your own virtual appliance to help distribute your applications.