Genode Labs - Newsletter Archive

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 Genode Labs Newsletter - October / November 2013
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 Content

 1. New training offerings in 2014
 2. Linux TCP/IP stack as a library
 3. Genode OS Framework 13.11 released
 4. Genode Labs at FOSDEM 2014


 1. New training offerings in 2014
 ---------------------------------

 Over the course of the past two years, we received an increasing
 number of inquiries for training offerings. Until now, we used to
 respond to those requests with arranging individual workshops,
 which, to our delight, were overwhelmingly well received. This
 empirical evidence suggests that there is demand for the specific
 know-how we have. As we are more than happy to share it, the plan
 arose to turn our sporadically held workshops into a regular
 offering of Genode Labs, starting in the second quarter of 2014.

 At this point, we are still uncertain about several questions. So
 we seek your help to give us input.

 1. Which of the topics below hit a sweet spot with you? Do you have
    additional interests that we might cover?

    - Inter-process communication mechanisms and best practices

    - Evolution of microkernel design over the past two decades

    - Examining the pros and cons of different Open-Source kernels

    - Introduction into the Genode architecture and framework

    - Hands-on tips and tricks with debugging microkernel systems

    - Methodology of porting software to a Genode-based system

    - Development of user-level device drivers

    - Using and appreciating the NOVA microhypervisor

    - Re-targeting Genode to a new platform

    - ARM TrustZone

 2. Which time of the year and which days of the week would be most
    suitable for participating in a workshop?

 3. How many days would be a useful duration for a workshop?

 4. Should we offer the arrangement of accommodation?

 We would greatly appreciate feedback concerning those questions.
 Also, if you have further suggestions, please share them with us
 by writing to:

   training@genode-labs.com


 2. Linux TCP/IP stack as a library
 ----------------------------------

 Genode used to rely on lwIP as TCP/IP stack, which served us well
 over the years. However, as lwIP is primarily targeted at embedded
 systems with moderate demands regarding throughput, it is not well
 suited for gigabit networking and the lwIP developer community is
 not eager to embrace features like TCP-window scaling or congestion
 control, which are crucial for high-performance networking. This
 prompted us to look at alternative TCP/IP stacks, particularly the
 one of the Linux kernel, which is known to perform well.

 We knew from our past experience ten years ago, that it is quite
 feasible to dissect the TCP/IP stack out of the Linux kernel and
 execute it as a user-level component on a microkernel. So we decided
 to give this approach another go. This time, however, we took a
 slightly different spin: We ported the TCP/IP stack in a way that we
 can use it as a plain user-level library for Genode applications.
 When linked against a networking application, the TCP/IP stack is
 not just co-located with the application, it even shares one single
 flow of control. The idea is quite exciting. Now even more so,
 knowing that it actually works and performs well.

 If you are interested in realizing high-performance networking
 applications with Genode, the new Linux TCP/IP stack might be a
 good fit.


 3. Genode OS Framework 13.11 released
 -------------------------------------

 We are happy to announce Genode 13.11, which is the 22nd release of
 the framework since the first version in August 2008.

 The new release brings plentiful new experimental features and
 countless improvements of details. A few highlights are new file
 systems using FUSE, Qt5 with support for QML, the switch to C++11,
 new device drivers for Exynos-5 and the Raspberry Pi, dynamic
 resource balancing, and improved support for ARM TrustZone. These
 and many more topics are covered in full detail in the release
 documentation:

   http://genode.org/documentation/release-notes/13.11


 4. Genode Labs at FOSDEM 2014
 -----------------------------

 FOSDEM is the worlds largest gathering of Open-Source and Free-
 Software enthusiasts. Following the tradition of the past years, next
 year's edition will again host a so-called devroom specifically for
 microkernel-based systems. This time, TU Dresden has taken over the
 stewardship for the devroom. It goes without saying that Genode Labs
 will participate. If you are interested in Open-Source microkernel
 technology, or if you just like to catch up, we warmly recommend
 attending FOSDEM 2014 and the microkernel devroom in particular:

   https://fosdem.org/2014/


 About the newsletter
 --------------------

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 Best regards

 -- 
 Dr.-Ing. Norman Feske
 Genode Labs

 http://www.genode-labs.com · http://genode.org

 Genode Labs GmbH · Amtsgericht Dresden · HRB 28424 · Sitz Dresden
 Geschäftsführer: Dr.-Ing. Norman Feske, Christian Helmuth