RSSReal-time Linux for US Navy weapons systems gets an upgrade
By Michael Hatamoto and Scott M. Fulton, III | Published April 18, 2008, 6:00 PM
Yesterday, a supplier of Linux for driving time critical applications -- such as intercepting ballistic missiles -- released RedHawk Linux 5.1, its latest "real-time" operating system distribution.
Concurrent is a Linux distributor specializing in real-time technologies that can be utilized by some very serious businesses. For example, Concurrent is the key supplier of RedHawk Linux for the US Navy's Aegis cruisers, which are equipped with anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine weapons systems.
The company's trademark architecture relies on the presence of multiple processors, and the ability to schedule threading between CPUs and cores to ensure higher reliability for user tasks, as opposed to hardware-specific tasks. One way it does this is through a mechanism Concurrent calls processor shielding, which grants higher priorities to selected cores that run user applications...such as anti-submarine algorithmic operations.
"When the worst-case time measured for either executing a code segment or response to an interrupt is significantly different than the typical case, the application's performance is said to be experiencing jitter. Because of computer architecture features such as memory caches and because of contention for shared resources, there will always be some amount of jitter in measurements of execution times," reads a Concurrent white paper on the subject (PDF available here).
"Real-time applications are defined by the fact that they must respond to real world events within a predetermined deadline. Computations that are completed after this deadline are considered incorrect. This means that the worst-case jitter the operating system allows determines whether that operating system is suitable for hosting a given real-time application. Each real-time application must define the amount of jitter that is acceptable to that application."
As the white paper goes on, high-priority tasks are granted to shielded CPUs, while hardware interrupts are assigned to the others.
In the multi-core era, it becomes possible to segment processor resources and architecture more granularly. So the most noteworthy new features of RedHawk Linux 5.1 is Intel and AMD quad-core processor support, plus support for non-uniform memory architecture (NUMA) used by AMD processors.
NUMA enables separate cores to access different segments of memory without having to utilize the same stream. Real-time processes are able to work faster using NUMA because all processes are local to a particular node and will not be shared or interrupted by another page trying to use the same node.
NUMA is more important for companies using real-time Linux operating systems because they need reliable access to time-critical environment situations that may not be met by a regular Linux OS. NUMA is used by AMD processors today, and will being integrated into the next generation of 45 nm Intel CPUs. Previous Intel Xeon and Pentium processors used a shared pool of memory that each processor was forced to access using a memory controller hub or front-side bus.
AMD's official Web site provides several links detailing more about NUMA and its importance with multiprocessor computer systems.
Well, assuming shooting down a ICBM which is sort of like shooting down one bullet with another and nothing like shooting down a spy satellite works, people would only now have to worry about the Incompetence of the USGS. So watch where you walk, earthquakes, volcanoes, Tsunamis On my :)
Otherwise have a nice day:)
Besides China's immediate threat is not the Western US..yet. but Taiwan and destroying the US Pacific Fleet which can done much cheaper than an ICBM say 500 cruise Missiles launched against the fleet..
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|Oh.
Hmmm.
Ignoring for a moment that the strategic component of the Navy is not the surface fleet but the strategic capabilities of the submarines, we can then try to figure out how a party such as China could limit an action to the Pacific surface fleet without giving cause for the engagement of the other offensive components...
But of course in your scenario the remaining resources that do not require advance forward placement would simply sit idly by as by destroying the short range flight capability of the fleet - that only provide support for land based troops as well as defense against other aircraft, that this would totally eliminate long range offensive air capabilities...
Oh, and your radically detuned civilian GPS systems are not the same as the military systems in place... Oh...
You've been playing too many computer games.
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|You assume many of our sub fleet hasn't been mothballed which it has. Also, China is spending heavily on a sub force of their own at a time when very little R&D is going on here because of the stupid wars we are in.
Have a nice evening:)
When it comes to the strait separating China and Taiwan, we are outgunned and outmaned/woman. China's ability right now can destroy any attempt at US stopping them short of us using TACTs and I don't think we want to go down that road:)
China is already testing our surface fleet by having a sub popped up unexpectedly next to our aircraft carrier. I'm not saying China is on the verge of developing a blue-water navy, that's a longs way off, their immediate goal is the take over of Taiwan and, if you have spent any time in China, you would know that this is a policy carved in stone.
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|I don't use civilian GPS systems.:) and I don;t play computer games but the US Military does:)
Finally, our non-advanced forces would play no role as the take over would done before they arrive and it is much harder to dislodge an enemy when all they have to do is play defense. Finally, few Presidents would have the balls to order a counter-strike if the take-over is accomplished.
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|We retired 19 (62 built) of the old first generation (1976-1985) Los Angles class subs and currently maintain an active fleet of 74 subs across 4 different classes with 4 additional subs under construction.
China currently maintains a fleet of 4 submarines and two of those are old U.S. Tench class subs built in 1944. I'll be joining the Pacific fleet June 19th and I have to say I'm not worried one bit.
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|Good for you and I wish you the best ( I mean that). I have nothing but respect for the men and women in our armed services that sometimes have to carry out the stupidity of our civilian leadership.
Now as to your point.. a lot of our remaining sub fleet is nuclear launched type of sub and not an attack sub which would be needed to protect our surface fleet near the strait and defend Taiwan. My focus is only on Taiwan. China poses no threat to us other than this area and, in this area, they have home field advantage.
Facts:
1) they got a boatload (pardon the pun) of our newest tech when the crew of the spy plane instead of following Protocol and destroying the Equipment or destroying the plane , landed it in China. We got the crew back but no plane.
2) China is increasing dramatically their spending on defense but it has a narrow focus:
1) destroy Taiwan's defenses
2) Develop and train for Amphibious landing across the strait ( even some film made it's way into mainstream media)
3) blind our Satellites because they know our forces are integrated by this
4) keep the US Navy and Air Force at bay long enough to accomplish the take over.
Now all this assume we have a President that is not willing to sacrifice Taiwan ( a free and democratic state to China a dictatorship). If we have a president that is not willing then the question is how do we prevent this which would only take a week or 2 to accomplished.
Since we are seeing a resurgence in Russia (i.e Putin and his puppet threatening to place Tacts if we place a nuclear shield in Poland) we have to maintain a multi-ocean fleet and this Neutralizes our numerical advantage.
Finally, with Congress still loving pork barrel spending and putting back in the defense budget something that the Joint Chiefs dropped (Osprey helicopter or the so-called non-lethal heat vehicle which is really a deathtrap for those inside), it makes it difficult to achieve the mix of forces to accomplish a multi-ocean Navy and Air Force.
Finally, I wish you the best.
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|Sweet, I can sleep better knowing Linux will be intercepting all ballistic missiles aimed at California.
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|You Should, considering the 'small problems' encountered with the use of using MS Windows for the command fire system on a number of missile cruisers...
"Hey guys...can you hold off on your attack for just a few minutes while we reboot our command center? We want things to be fair, don't we?"
Of course, any force not mixing first strike capability with intense impulse capability to darken control systems deserves the reply.
Now...if only we can figure out a reason that California would not serve as an excellent expendable buffer zone...
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|Hey, don't mess with California. Our governor is the ph***!n' Terminator:-)
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|Heh...
....and a more liberal "Republican" you will never meet.
So...is he "bridging the gap" or a turncoat? :p
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|I would say "bridging the gap". He doesn't strike me as a disloyal.
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|Of course being married to a Kennedy would have an effect on you over time. Actually, he's done a pretty good job despite steroid use and bad movies.:) Now a right wing Republican Terminator is a real scary thought.:)
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|It all depends on perspective, I guess.
IMO, the republican party just isn't all that conservative any more. It's like they're trying to "out-Lib" the Democrats.
I suppose it'd be fun to watch if I didn't have to be involved in it...
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|yes but the right wing is still alive and well in this country and scary creatures...sort of night of the living dead creatures.
As a side note... saw a clip of Uncle Teddy celebrating his 75th birthday, He definitely had hit one to many Irish whiskeys or Irish coffees.
Further side note- saw a ad last night with Al Sharpton and Pat Robertson (I think) sitting on a sofa and talking about global warming..go figure. They actually look cozy together. Maybe they are a match made in Heaven....
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|He is coming from the most conservative Western European country. Maybe that gives a hint about how skewed the value systems are in seemingly equivalent cultures...
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|I guess, as the times change you have to change with it if you want to survive.
Now the question is, Are the Republicans are actually becoming more Liberal? or Is it the illusion of Liberalism that the Republicans want to incur?
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|Heh...
I think we hit a nerve. :p
*shrug*
Didn't intend to derail the entire topic. Best we leave this for a later, more relevant topic?
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|OWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
The STUPID!!!!!! IT BURNS!!!!!! (Toolie on YouTube?)
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|I didn't think you could actually *get* more infantile.
I guess I was wrong.
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|LOL. I think we did, some wounds run pretty deep:-)
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|Bad movies???
I beg to differ, Twins and Kindergarten Cop was some of his best work:-)
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|It's possible to be conservative without being a war-mongering neo-con.
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|How is that even relevant?
Arnold is not even close to being conservative, regardless of his views on the war.
Frankly, that's got very little to do with conservatism vs. liberalism.
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|and this is a compliment?:)
Actually, Twins wasn't bad and I agree he's better in a joke movie than a serious one.
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|Good for Linux, its really excels in the military and generally in the USA.
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|Is its increase in market share why it's going down hill?
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|Very cool.
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|I guess that they wanted something they could actually rely on.....
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|I guess they finally found something that suits Linux.
Linux can handle real-time applications very well. It's no wonder financial institutions and military applications fit well with it.
It suffers in usability, which is fine since that happens to be where Windows excels.
Now, why don't you be a good little troll and go hide back under your rock. Unless of course, you'd like to [rolleyes] at me some more or make some more asinine claims regarding Linux compatibility.
I'm sure anything you have to add will be just as enlightening as your above comment...
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|You really are a TROLL... If you new better you would have known that they have been using a Unix based system for this for a very long time.
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|yeah. You would think after Windows NT crashed (surprise surprise) and paralyzed an Aegis missile Cruiser, USS Yorktown, putting everyone life on board at risk, people would know better.
http://www.gcn.com/print/17_17/33727-1.html
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|10 years ago, so you we're about 2 when it happened ?
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|Toolie,
Question for you, who has the largest 'Nix server farm in the good old US of A, pardon me stupid, 2 questions, second is what servers distribute windows updates, sure aint exchange.
Buddy, every time ya lift ya tail! Well "Hallelujah". We'll both enjoy it.
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|lazarus98,
Do you know for a fact that the USS Yorktown was running Unix systems when it had a system failure? You might find this article to be an interesting read - http://www.wired.com/sci...ries/news/1998/07/13987
P.S. Maybe if you "new better" you would get the facts before you sling insults and tell someone they are wrong. Have a nice day.
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|Boy being that it was 10 years ago makes it just so much better that it happened at all.
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|My my, aren't you a big retard....
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|So, check out Hardy, I have to say it's made TONS of progress in the usability department.
I'm very impressed.
I've even gotten Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Visio working on it with minimal effort (Install them, then copy gdiplus.dll from OFFICE11 to Visio11, and set it to native in winecfg)
Evolution is working with Exchange 2003.
The new world clock / weather integration is great, as are the new Tomboy and OpenOffice 2.4.
The new GUI effects are subtle, but really cool too.
Anyway, it doesn't suffer in usability like it did 5 years ago.
Before you say it, yeah I know it's still not right for every computer user but no OS is.
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|Heh...
So, check out Hardy
You don't think I have? I never said it wasn't getting better, but sadly, regardless of the OSes merit, having to copy gdiplus, or even use WINE itself is enough to break it from the useability standpoint.
Yes, it could be fixed.
No, I don't believe it ever will. Companies aren't known for putting forth a great amount of effort into niche products...
Of course, I never thought Apple would go Intel either. :)
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|Man, you are so consistent.
Here's a fun one:
Can *anyone* find a post from sjc001 in the last three months that is not a personal attack or insult?
Just one?
Anyone?
Didn't think so.
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|*laughs*
Missed the point completely. How cute.
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|Yeah, because we all know that pointing out *one* instance of failure for *one* OS means that that is the only failure of it's type and has only occurred on *that* OS....
I so love the ADD generation...
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|LOL
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|Wasn't sure, thought it was worth mentioning.
I usually package the stupid fixes myself, it's easier than waiting and it helps everyone.
I've even started publishing them.
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|Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah...stupid remark...blah blah blah blah blah.... idiot... blah blah blah blah blah nothing concrete to say.....blah blah blah blah blah blah
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|One instance?
ROFLMAO...
Stick to discussing something you understand.
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|*laughs*
He pointed out one instance.
Did you miss that part? Do I need to quote it for you?
Did you even bother to read the post above mine? Or are you a member of that very ADD generation....
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|hey you all you better start learning the chin laungauge because it was reported on cbs news that china was upgrading there navel fleet with long range communications: AND THAT SURE AINT FOR TAIWAN!
O YEAH AND SAVE FOOD GET READY YOU HAVE 2008 THEN THATS IT !!!
MAKE YOUR PEACE WITH GOD!!!!
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