Asterinas: a Linux-compatible kernel in Rust
Summary
The Asterinas team develops a memory-safe Rust kernel that is meant to run Linux applications via a compatible ABI. Asterinas is developed mainly in Rust. The project aims at Linux ABI compatibility rather than source compatibility.
Ideas
- Rust prevents many memory bugs through its type system.
- A Linux-compatible ABI preserves existing programs and tools.
- A safe framework core encapsulates the necessary unsafe hardware operations.
- A virtual machine creates a reproducible development and test environment.
- Compatibility requires numerous system calls, file systems and network functions.
Insights
- Memory safety reduces classes of bugs but does not replace a correct kernel architecture.
- ABI compatibility can enable innovation underneath unchanged applications.
- A new kernel has to prove security, performance and ecosystem breadth at the same time.
Facts
- Development uses a safe kernel framework architecture of its own.
Recommendations
- Only test experiments in virtual machines with expendable data.
- Assess the supported system calls against your specific applications.
References
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