OviOS Linux is a specialized Linux distribution aimed at creating the fastest and easiest Linux unified storage server. It requires little to no knowledge of Linux, NFS, SMB or iSCSI protocols to create a fully functional storage server in less than 30 minutes.
OviOS was the first storage system based on Linux to implement the blk_mq IO Queueing mechanism in a production environment together with the highly advanced ZFS storage filesystem.
blk_mq allows for over 15 million IOPS with high-performance flash devices on 8 socker-servers, though even single and dual socket servers also benefit considerably from blk-mq.
OviOS Linux principles:
Customizable. OviOS is highly customizable, as new packages can be added easily by building from source. The OS functionality is customizable via the options tool.
Independent. OviOS Linux is not based on or derived from any other Linux Distro, and is fully compatible with the Linux Standard Base.
Simple. OviOS simplicity means no extra software, configurations and sophistications. OviOS uses the minimal amount of applications needed to allow it to function as a storage OS. The modifications to the software included are minimal and only distro-specific.
Lightweight. The Linux Kernel is stripped of all drivers and modules not required for a server distro. Lightweight also means no GUI. A GUI just makes simple tasks simpler, and complex task impossible. A GUI would also require considerable amount of resources, which can be better used to serve data.
The goal is to keep OviOS Linux a pure storage appliance-like OS.
It targets users and admins who need a stable out-of-the-box iSCSI, NFS, SMB server, and Linux and storage engineers who want to learn how to build a system from scratch.
