Thanks to the work on both the NOVA-specific code of the Genode framework as well as the kernel code, the entire Genode software stack becomes available on NOVA, including the ability to execute the Genode build system on the NOVA kernel. Although Genode supports this kernel since the end of 2011, most of its modern features remained largely unused. It runs on the latest x86-based hardware, provides lightning fast virtualization capabilities, and supports IOMMUs. However, this step takes the upstream development off the critical path of Genode users when it comes to kernel changes that are not anticipated by the upstream kernel developers.įeature-wise, the NOVA hypervisor developed at Intel Labs is the most sophisticated Open-Source microkernel today. This step is by no means meant to diverge the development of those kernels as the Genode developers do not aspire at all to take the lead in developing either of them. Both the NOVA and Fiasco.OC kernels have been forked in order to incorporate Genode-specific additions and optimizations. Hence, the release cycle of the current version marks the point where the Genode developers started to get their hands dirty with kernel code. However, this approach turned out to be a severe limitation because the goals of Genode are not always perfectly aligned with those of the respective kernel developers. With the exception of one custom created kernel, Genode used to rely on using existing 3rd-party kernels largely unmodified. Genode’s unique approach is to use different kernels for different purposes, yet it provides a uniform API that works across all those kernels.
With version 13.02, the tool kit for building component-based operating systems has gained intriguing new platform features. Using Genode’s custom kernel or the Fiasco.OC kernel, the new version targets ARM Cortex-A15-based systems such as the Exynos 5250 SoC. Using the NOVA kernel, the framework can be used to build custom operating systems for IOMMU-enabled machines while also leveraging hardware virtualization. The just released version 13.02 of the Genode OS Framework comes with major improvements of the underlying kernels.
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