A Unikernel is a specialised image that contains only the parts of the operating system and libraries needed to run a specific application. Unlike traditional operating systems, which are general, they support a wide range of functionalities. Unikernels are highly minimalist, focused on providing only the essentials for a single purpose, which makes them lighter and more secure.
Based on the Unikernel concept and what currently exists, it was decided to use the Linux kernel to turn it into a Unikernel.
This project was born from an idea explored in the context of a Master's thesis.
| Environment | ✔️ / ❌ |
|---|---|
| QEMU | ✔️ |
| VMware | ✔️ |
| VMware ESXi | ✔️ |
Follow the steps below to configure and run the project:
- Install the necessary development tools and libraries:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt install build-essential
sudo apt install flex
sudo apt install bison
sudo apt install libelf-dev
sudo apt install libssl-dev
sudo apt install bc
sudo apt install busybox-static
sudo apt install qemugit clone https://github.com/ItzPires/Unikernel---Proof-of-Concept.git
cd Unikernel---Proof-of-Concept
git submodule update --init --recursive- To compile the Unikernel, run the following command:
./Scripts/build.sh <path_to_binary> [additional_parameters]- To run the Unikernel in QEMU:
./Scripts/run.sh -t qemuThis command will open a monitor showing the execution of the proof of concept in a virtual machine.
- To run the Unikernel in VMware:
./Scripts/run.sh -t vmwareThis command will generate a file called disk.vmx and disk.vmdk in the "/Output/vmware" folder. To run the kernel in VMware, open vmware with file '/Output/vmware/disk.vmx' and start the VM".
- To run the Unikernel in VMware ESXi:
You must follow all the creation steps in VMware and then export the virtual machine in OVF. With these export files, you can create a virtual machine in VMware ESXi.