SmartOS

What is SmartOS?

SmartOS is a hypervisor that runs entirely in memory, providing the capability to handle a large number of workloads. Provisioning is fast, leveraging the advantages of zones and the ZFS file system. It combines the benefits of a lightweight container OS optimized for containers with the robust security, networking, and storage features expected from a hardware hypervisor. SmartOS is a specialized Type 1 Hypervisor platform based on Illumos, supporting two types of virtualization: OS Virtual Machines (Zones) offering a complete and secure userland environment on a single global kernel, and KVM Virtual Machines allowing the execution of a variety of guest operating systems. As a "live OS," SmartOS boots via PXE, ISO, or USB, running entirely from memory and utilizing local disks solely for hosting virtual machines, offering increased security, simplified patching, fast upgrades, and efficient recovery. SmartOS builds upon the foundational Illumos technologies inherited from OpenSolaris, including DTrace, Zones, and ZFS, providing an observable, multi-tenant environment with an enterprise-grade storage stack

Highlights

• Runs entirely in memory, providing high-performance capabilities
• Fast provisioning through zones and ZFS file system
• Supports two types of virtualization: OS Virtual Machines (Zones) and KVM Virtual Machines
• "Live OS" architecture with PXE, ISO, or USB booting, utilizing local disks for virtual machines
• Increased security, simplified patching, fast upgrades, and efficient recovery
• Leverages Illumos technologies, including DTrace, Zones, and ZFS, for an observable and multi-tenant environment