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Cooperative Linux: Prepared by

Cooperative Linux allows running a Linux kernel natively on Windows by utilizing Cooperative Virtual Machines. It was originally developed by Dan Aloni and is open source. Unlike traditional virtual machines, the guest kernel has full CPU context and address space sharing it with the host Windows kernel. This approach provides near native speeds without a bridge between kernels. While it lacks hardware memory protection, Cooperative Linux enables efforts migration from Windows and adding Windows machines to Linux clusters.

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Raj Bansal
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21 views

Cooperative Linux: Prepared by

Cooperative Linux allows running a Linux kernel natively on Windows by utilizing Cooperative Virtual Machines. It was originally developed by Dan Aloni and is open source. Unlike traditional virtual machines, the guest kernel has full CPU context and address space sharing it with the host Windows kernel. This approach provides near native speeds without a bridge between kernels. While it lacks hardware memory protection, Cooperative Linux enables efforts migration from Windows and adding Windows machines to Linux clusters.

Uploaded by

Raj Bansal
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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COOPERATIVE LINUX

Prepared By:
PRERNA KHARBANDA 11082235 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Introduction
Cooperative Linux utilizes the underused concept of a Cooperative Virtual Machine (CVM), in contrast to traditional VMs that are unprivileged and being under the complete control of the host machine. The term Cooperative is used to describe two entities working in parallel. In that sense the most plain description of Cooperative Linux is turning two operating system kernels into two big coroutines. In that Mode, each kernel has its own complete CPU context and address space, and each kernel decides when to give control back to its partner.

HISTORY
Dan Aloni originally started the development of Cooperative Linux based on similar work with User-mode Linux and LINE. He open sourced the software under the GNU General Public License. Other developers have since contributed various patches and additions to the software.

coLinux
Allows the Linux kernel to run natively.
As a Windows device driver.

No bridge between the host kernel and the guest kernel.


Guest can run at near native speeds.

Allocate memory only for kernel and its forked processes. Windows service for guest OS startup. Requires manual configuration.

Windows Monitoring Service


Monitors CPU load and coLinux load. Monitors Keyboard/Mouse idle time. Makes this information available to coLinux.

coLinux Networking
Bridged Networking Uses WinPcap. Advantage: Simple setup. Disadvantage: Requires a real IP. NAT Uses a TAP-Win32 networking device. Windows performs the NAT. coLinux does not have a real IP.

coLinux Networking
All coLinux installs have the same local IP e.g 192.168.0.40. How to identify nodes in a large install?
Change MAC address of TAP-Win32 device to contain real hosts IP. E.g. 00:11:81:5D:44:04 on host 129.93.68.4. Set hostname on coLinux based on MAC address. E.g. node-68-4 on 129.93.68.4.

Automation of Installs
gen_xml.exe Determines the name of the required real network adapter. Generates MAC address for virtual network device based on hosts IP. Writes coLinuxs XML file. Can perform complete install by popping in an install CD. Template of this CD will be made available.

USES
Relatively effortless migration path from Windows. Adding Windows machines to Linux clusters. Running an otherwise-dual-booted Linux system from the other OS. Using Linux as a Windows firewall on the same machine. Linux kernel development / debugging / research and study on another operating systems.

FEATURES

SUSPENSION On User Mode Linux suspending is easier only the state of a few processes needs saving, and no hardware is involved. USER MODE LINUX INSIDE COOPERATIVE LINUX Combining UML and Cooperative Linux cancels the security downside that running Cooperative Linux could incur. LIVE COOPERATIVE DISTRIBUTIONS Live-CD distributions can be used to boot on top of another operating system INTEGRATION WITH REACTOS ReactOS, the free Windows NT clone, will be incorporating Cooperative Linux as a POSIX subsystem. MISCELLANEOUS Virtual frame buffer support. Incorporating features from User Mode Linux, e.g. humfs 3. Support for more host operating systems

CURRENT STATUS
Version: 0.6.4 Released on date: July 02, 2006 Supported architectures:
o Intel-compatible 386 and above Supported operating systems:
? Windows 2000 ? Windows XP ? Linux 2.6.x

Supported guest Linux kernel versions: o 2.6.11

DISADVANTAGES
The biggest disadvantage is that coLinux runs aside the Windows kernel. Inside this CPU abstraction layer, there is no hardware memory protection. This is the same situation as between the Linux or Windows kernel and their device drivers. To load and use coLinux the user has to have administrator rights.

Performance
POV-Ray execution time Platform Native Linux coLinux VMWare Time (min:sec) 39:23 39:26 40:53

Source: Build a heterogeneous cluster with coLinux and openMosix - IBM developerWorks

CONCLUSION

The coLinux is an economical and efficient possibility to program embedded Linux systems directly from a Windows PC. Cooperative Linux has the potential to become an alternative to User Mode Linux that enhances on portability and performance, rather than on security.

Thank You

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