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Volume 21, Issue 11 eeNews P 304128
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LAST WORD
What are Linux containers?
By Florian Froschermeier
Programs used to be made by
creating large monolithic scripts,
however, a lot has changed in
the last two decades. There are now
prominent methods in manufacturing applications
that use small, self-contained
programs in tandem to add extra functionality
to hardware.
Linux containers
(LXC) are an operating
system (OS) level
virtualization method
that allows for multiple
isolated Linux systems
to run on the single
Linux kernel of a control
host. Meaning that
these programs are
isolated in individual user-spaces and
operate at the OS level. These containers
are self-contained and lightweight, holding
very few components, making them
a powerful tool for adding applications to
a system without worrying about dependency
errors.
Developers can use containers to
package an application with the libraries,
dependencies and other files it needs to
run, without the host needing to install
extra assets. In this way, containers can
be installed and work on any Linux system
that supports container functionality
regardless of configuration
For example, if a developer is working
on a program on their laptop while
travelling, they may encounter issues if
their office computers have a different
configuration, such as a missing library.
Applications in development rely on the
system configuration and are dependent
on specific libraries, dependencies and
files being available to work.
Containers provide a way of bypassing
these issues. Because the programs
are self-contained, they can be ported to
different Linux environments regardless
of configuration. Allowing developers to
continue working anywhere and anytime.
On the other hand, in the example of
a Linux system that has been stripped
back and hardened to create a secure
OS for a narrow use-case, containers can
add in extra functionality. At INSYS this
is a key feature for our industrial routers
that run our Linux based icom OS,
designed specifically for this purpose.
Plant managers can use the icom
Smartbox, which comes pre-installed on
any INSYS industrial router, to enable
LXCs and develop their own application
or choose from an array of off-the-shelf
applications. These containers can be
used to connect
legacy machinery,
including legacy software
designed to run
on Raspberry Pi’s.
Some of our customers
have already
used these devices
to add edge computing
to their network,
as well as benefit from data analysis and
reporting functions that send messages
regarding anomalies immediately to users.
Showing that containers are a great
way to bring machinery into the present
and push it into the future.
Containers greatly increase the value
that end-users can extract from industrial
hardware. LXCs have the potential
to achieve this with a wide range of
products. In some cases, the LXCs can
completely redefine the function of a
piece of hardware, giving it a new lease
of life for use on the network.
Another benefit of containers is that
they increase the security of the system.
Because they’re isolated, if one is
compromised by a malicious attack, the
others can maintain their integrity. Their
isolation also means that even if one of
the containers is compromised, the others
and the host are still secure.
All these benefits are leading to
continuous developments in the realm
of containers. In fact, some developers
are beginning to create new programs
by stitching together containers. This
method allows the programs to become
more flexible as individual containers can
be swapped in and out easily allowing
programs to be updated in line with user
requirements.
Containers such as LXCs are proving
to be an incredibly strong and versatile
tool for developers and end-users. They
have the potential to extend the life of
hardware by redefining functions and giving
old pieces of technology new functions.
Their use is a gateway to continuous
development.
Florian Froschermeier is technical
sales manager for industrial router
manufacturer INSYS -
www.insys-icom.com
50 News December 2019 @eeNewsEurope www.eenewseurope.com
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