* LynuxWorks LynxSecure for military-grade real-time apps
Embedded Linux operating system company LynuxWorks says it will have a new product out this summer that promises to make Linux a more viable system for running military-grade real-time applications, such as aircraft control systems.
LynuxWorks’ LynxSecure operating system is based on a design that the company calls “LynxSecure separation kernel.” The company says it has devised a way to partition processes running on its embedded Linux kernel, which makes the system secure enough for running such systems as military targeting, electronic warfare or the military’s Global Information Grid. The grid is designed to electronically tie together military command-and-control operations in real time.
LynuxWorks says its design uses the concepts of multiple independent levels of security (MILS), an operating system architecture that’s common in government and military operating system. With this design, the kernel is built so different applications are strictly separated, unable to read or write data to each other. According to the company, LynxSecure has achieved several key government certifications for the software, including Common Criteria EAL-7 and DO-178B Level A; this governmentese means the system is certified to use in FAA air traffic control and military aircraft applications.
LynuxWorks’ previous software products include the BlueCat Linux embedded real-time operating system, which is used widely in embedded devices such as hand-held computers, barcode and RFID readers and other single-purpose computing devices.
