Redox OS

Overview

Redox OS is a free, open-source, Unix-like operating system designed to be a secure, reliable, and modern OS alternative. Built from the ground up using the Rust programming language, it is community-led and hosted at redox-os.org and GitHub. It supports the x86_64 (64-bit) and i686 (32-bit) architectures (ARM64 is in development), and is suitable for desktops, servers, and embedded devices. It offers custom desktop environments such as Orbital (window manager) and Ion (shell). Redox OS utilizes a rolling release model, emphasizing microkernel design, POSIX compatibility, and the security of Rust. It comes pre-installed with essential tools such as pkgutils (package manager) and relibc (C standard library), and supports Linux/BSD software porting. It is not a Linux distribution, but rather an independent OS designed to be a Linux and BSD alternative. It is currently in alpha development.

History and Development

• Origins:
  • 2015: The Redox OS project was launched by Jeremy Soller, with the goal of building a modern operating system in Rust to address the memory safety issues of C/C++.
  • Inspired by MINIX 3, seL4, and Plan 9, combined with the familiarity of Linux/BSD.
• Development History:
  • 2015: Redox 0.1 released, basic kernel and userspace.
  • 2017: 0.3 introduced a file system and a basic GUI.
  • 2020: 0.6 optimized hardware support, adding i686 and audio.
  • 2022: 0.8 released, reducing memory usage to 480MB ISO and supporting multiple monitors.
  • September 2024: 0.9.0 released, integrating the COSMIC desktop (file manager, terminal, editor) and optimizing the porting of Linux software.
• Community and Support:
  • Maintained by Jeremy Soller and the community, hosted at redox-os.org, GitHub, and the forums (redox-os.org/community).
  • Supports English and some Chinese (via community translations). Documentation includes books and API guides.
  • Reddit users call "Redox the future of Rust OS."
• Open Source License:
  • MIT License, allowing commercial use and modification.

Key Features

Redox OS is built around Rust, with a microkernel and custom components, making it suitable for OS research and development. Here are its key features:

1. Rust Kernel and Userspace
   • The entire OS is written in Rust, providing memory safety and concurrency optimizations.
2. Microkernel Design
   • Microkernel architecture, inter-process communication via message passing, similar to MINIX 3.
3. RedoxFS File System
   • Custom file system with support for permissions and metadata.
4. Orbital Desktop
   • Custom window manager with multi-monitor support.
5. Ion Shell
   • Custom shell with support for command execution and pipelines.
6. Hardware Compatibility
   • Support for x86_64/i686, kernel 6.12 is compatible with Intel/AMD.
   • Minimum requirements: 1GB RAM, 4GB disk (2GB RAM, 10GB disk recommended).
7. Development Support
   • Support for Rust and C toolchains, with packages installed via pkgutils.

Advantages and Limitations

Advantages

• Rust Security:
  • Memory safety is better than that of C/C++ Linux.
  • X's post claims that "Redox 0.9.0's COSMIC integration makes it more like a modern OS."
• Microkernel:
  • Process isolation is better than a monolithic Linux kernel.
• Customization:
  • Experimental, similar to MINIX 3, but less complex than Arch Linux.
• Community:
  • Active GitHub, with books available.
• Lightweight:
  • ISO size is 480 MB, compared to FunOS's 1.8 GB.

Limitations

• Alpha Status:
  • Unstable, high risk for production environments.
• Software Ecosystem:
  • Porting Linux software requires adjustments, better than SerenityOS but not as good as Arch Linux.
• Desktop Support:
  • Basic support for Orbital, requiring application porting.

Summary

Redox OS is a free, open-source Unix-like operating system. The latest version, 0.9.0 (September 2024), is based on Rust 1.80, kernel 6.12, and supports x86_64 and i686. It is centered around Rust security, a microkernel, and custom components (such as the Orbital desktop, Ion Shell, and the RedoxFS file system), and provides pkgutils package management. Redox OS features outstanding Rust innovation and microkernel design, but its alpha status is unstable and its ecosystem is small.