Architecture
vSeries
As a Server
Modern cloud application deployments supporting “Continuous Integration, Continuous Delivery” (CICD) require a policy based computing model. Traditionally scripted operating system deployments, while better than build by hand systems, lack required flexibility and structure.
With application servers deployed only to accommodate workloads, there is no persistent storage requirement. An ideal environment merges operating system and associated application workloads at boot without requiring administrative interaction. These systems only consume CPU and memory resources.
vSeries uniquely meets these requirements, supporting unlimited combinations of configurations. Servers are dynamically built by policy, adding only resources required to support target applications.
As a Desktop
zStation is differentiated from other Linux distributions; system elements are loosely coupled into modules that are subsequently assembled by policy into a specialized purpose built platform. The following diagram illustrates the system architecture and its associated hierarchy.
Modular Design
To achieve optimal system performance and power management hardware specific shared and kernel objects must be loaded. However including all possible supported drivers is not practical nor are these necessarily interoperable. zStation dynamically injects the hardware drivers that are platform specific very early in the boot process and subsequently relinks the kernel as required. This yields a high performance but very light weight foundation, these elements are packaged into platform modules.
Platform modules include the following technology elements:
- Processor: Any processor specific kernel objects, these typically are used for power management.
- Frame Buffer Drivers: Modern media rich applications require direct GPU access and technology like OpenGL and OpenCL require specific drivers for the frame buffer installed in the system.
- Graphics Config: These modules allow for specialized system configuration that may be required by frame buffers
Audio Drivers: These provide the required drivers for the audio subsystem(s) that may be present in the hardware platform. In some cases there may be more than one audio system.
- X Server: Provides the Linux X graphics environment allowing the configuration of specific versions or features that may be required by the applications.
- Window Manager: Provides the desired window controls and desktop menus.
- Desktop Experience: zStation allows for the selection of multiple desktop experiences choose from multiple styles, start bar, dock or icon based. These modules can also be loaded by policy based on hardware type, tablet, laptop or workstation.
Smart, Simple, Scalable
Beacen is the gateway to a future where scale, hardware and environment interoperability aren't issues for IT.
A Complete Re-Think
Today’s device centric computing platforms fail to meet the complex challenges caused by modern mobile multi-platform requirements. To meet these demands a fresh approach is required, one that decouples applications and data from devices, and relieves the end users of complex systems and administrative tasks, in short a complete rethink of the platform itself.
Content centric systems have long been the nirvana of computer systems engineers, however those requirements are orthogonal to the device centric manifestations.
Combining advanced computing concepts such as (i) in memory computing, (ii) stateless, (iii) non-persistent and (iv) policy driven computing Beacen vSeries provides an unparalleled combination of security, performance, agility and flexibility.
Plug-and-Play
Your computer becomes a true plug-and-play appliance, capable of working "out of the box" without the need for any administrative intervention. The installer only has to plug it in; and turn it on.
Fully Responsive
As technology continues its steady migration to mobile platforms it is not enough for the application to be the only responsive element. zStation’s modularity guarantees a completely responsive environment.
Secure
vSeries represents a new level of security, reducing if not eliminating attack vectors. Since the filesystem that the operating system resides on is read-only attachment points for viruses and malware simply don’t exist.
In-Memory
zStation endpoint operating environment operates exclusively in volatile RAM not requiring local storage for any operation. This architecture provides performance not attainable by traditional computer architectures.
Stateless
Remember when your computer was new, everything was fast and it just worked, as it gets older your computer seems slower, that’s because it is, operating system decay is a real issue. Since zStation is stateless it is new evry time you login.
Consistent
Policy based computing guarantees that the system is deployed in the ideal configuration. Both operating system and application workloads are always in the optimal configuration on all systems.