Genode OS Framework release 20.02

With version 20.02, Genode makes Sculpt OS fit for running on i.MX 64-bit ARM hardware, optimizes the performance throughout the entire software stack, and takes the next evolutionary step of the user-facing side of Sculpt OS.

Without any doubt, Sculpt OS has been the driving motivation behind most working topics featured by the new release. One particularly exciting line of work is the enabling of Sculpt on i.MX-based 64-bit ARM hardware, which touched the framework on all levels, from the boot loader, over the kernel, device drivers, libraries, system management, up to the application level. The work goes as far as supporting Sculpt OS as a hypervisor platform for hosting Linux in a virtual machine.

As a second Sculpt-related development, we strive to make the user-visible side of the operating system better approachable and more logical. With this background, the current release comes with a profound redesign of the administrative user interface of Sculpt OS. An updated downloadable system image will follow soon.

Also related to Sculpt are an updated audio driver based on OpenBSD 6.6, the support of virtual desktops, and performance optimization of the Seoul virtual machine monitor on x86 hardware.

Regarding the framework API, the release introduces a new library for building multi-component applications. It aims to bring the benefits of Genode's unique security architecture from the operating-system level to the application level.

These topics are only the tip of the iceberg. For the complete picture, please consult the release documentation of version 20.02...