VxWorks explained

VxWorks
Screenshot Size:200px
Developer:Wind River (a wholly owned subsidiary of Aptiv)
Kernel Type:Monolithic
Supported Platforms:x86, x86-64, MIPS, PowerPC, SH-4, ARM, RISC-V
Family:Real-time operating systems
Latest Release Version:VxWorks 7 24.03
Marketing Target:Embedded systems
License:Proprietary
Working State:Current

VxWorks is a real-time operating system (or RTOS) developed as proprietary software by Wind River Systems, a subsidiary of Aptiv. First released in 1987, VxWorks is designed for use in embedded systems requiring real-time, deterministic performance and in many cases, safety and security certification for industries such as aerospace, defense, medical devices, industrial equipment, robotics, energy, transportation, network infrastructure, automotive, and consumer electronics.[1]

VxWorks supports AMD/Intel architecture, POWER architecture, ARM architectures, and RISC-V.[2] The RTOS can be used in multicore asymmetric multiprocessing (AMP), symmetric multiprocessing (SMP), and mixed modes[3] and multi-OS (via Type 1 hypervisor)[4] designs on 32- and 64-bit processors.[5]

VxWorks comes with the kernel, middleware, board support packages, Wind River Workbench development suite, complementary third-party software and hardware. In its latest release, VxWorks 7, the RTOS has been re-engineered for modularity and upgradeability so the OS kernel is separate from middleware, applications, and other packages.[6] Scalability, security, safety, connectivity, and graphics have been improved to address Internet of Things (IOT) needs.[7] [8] [9]

History

VxWorks started in the late 1980s as a set of enhancements to a simple RTOS called VRTX[10] sold by Ready Systems (becoming a Mentor Graphics product in 1995).[11] Wind River acquired rights to distribute VRTX and significantly enhanced it by adding, among other things, a file system and an integrated development environment. In 1987, anticipating the termination of its reseller contract by Ready Systems, Wind River proceeded to develop its own kernel to replace VRTX within VxWorks.[12]

Published in 2003 with a Wind River copyright, "Real-Time Concepts for Embedded Systems"[13] describes the development environment, runtime setting, and system call families of the RTOS.Written by Wind River employees with a foreword by Jerry Fiddler, chairman, and co-founder of Wind River, the textbook is an excellent tutorial on the RTOS. (It does not, however, replace Wind River documentation as might be needed by practicing engineers.)

Some key milestones for VxWorks include:[14]

Platform overview

VxWorks supports Intel architecture, Power architecture, and ARM architectures. The RTOS can be used in multi-core asymmetric multiprocessing (AMP), symmetric multiprocessing (SMP), mixed modes[5] and multi-OS (via Type 1 hypervisor)[4] designs on 32- and 64- bit processors.

The VxWorks consists of a set of runtime components and development tools. The run time components are an operating system (UP and SMP; 32- and 64-bit), software for applications support (file system, core network stack, USB stack, and inter-process communications), and hardware support (architecture adapter, processor support library, device driver library, and board support packages).[5] VxWorks core development tools are compilers such as Diab, GNU, and Intel C++ Compiler (ICC) and its build and configuration tools. The system also includes productivity tools such as its Workbench development suite and Intel tools and development support tools for asset tracking and host support.[5]

The platform is a modular, vendor-neutral, open system that supports a range of third-party software and hardware. The OS kernel is separate from middleware, applications, and other packages,[8] which enables easier bug fixes and testing of new features.[15] An implementation of a layered source build system allows multiple versions of any stack to be installed at the same time so developers can select which version of any feature set should go into the VxWorks kernel libraries.

Optional advanced add-ons for VxWorks provide additional capabilities, including the following:

Features

Core features of the OS include:[3] [17] [18] [19]

In March 2014 Wind River introduced VxWorks 7, emphasizing scalability, security, safety, connectivity, graphics, and virtualization.[9] [15] [20] The following lists some of the release 7 updates.[1] [5] [6] [9] More information can be found on the Wind Rivers VxWorks website.

Hardware support

VxWorks has been ported to a number of platforms. This includes the Intel x86 family (including the Intel Quark SoC),[21] MIPS, PowerPC (and BAE RAD), Freescale ColdFire, Intel i960, SPARC, Fujitsu FR-V, SH-4 and the closely related family of ARM, StrongARM and xScale CPUs. VxWorks provides a standard board support package (BSP) interface between all its supported hardware and the OS. Wind River's BSP developer kit provides a common application programming interface (API) and a stable environment for real-time operating system development. VxWorks is supported by popular SSL/TLS libraries such as wolfSSL.[22]

Development environment

As is common in embedded system development, cross-compiling is used with VxWorks. Development is done on a "host" system where an integrated development environment (IDE), including the editor, compiler toolchain, debugger, and emulator can be used. Software is then compiled to run on the "target" system. This allows the developer to work with powerful development tools while targeting more limited hardware. VxWorks uses the following host environments and target hardware architectures:[23]

Supported target architectures and processor familiesVxWorks supports a range of target architectures including ARM, Intel, Power architecture, RISC-V architecture and more. For the latest target architecture processors and board support packages, refer to the VxWorks Marketplace[24] or via citation.[25]

The Eclipse-based Workbench IDE that comes with VxWorks is used to configure, analyze, optimize, and debug a VxWorks-based system under development.[26] The Tornado IDE was used for VxWorks 5.x[27] and was replaced by the Eclipse-based Workbench IDE for VxWorks 6.x. and later.[23] Workbench is also the IDE for the Wind River Linux,[28] On-Chip Debugging,[29] and Wind River Diab Compiler product lines. VxWorks 7 uses Wind River Workbench 4[30] which updates to the Eclipse 4 base provides full third party plug-in support and usability improvements.

Wind River Simics[31] [32] is a standalone simulation tool compatible with VxWorks. It simulates the full target system (hardware and software) to create a shared platform for software development. Multiple developers can share a complete virtual system and its entire state, including execution history. Simics enables early and continuous system integration and faster prototyping by utilizing virtual prototypes instead of physical prototypes.[33]

Notable uses

VxWorks is used by products across a wide range of market areas: aerospace and defense, automotive, industrial such as robots, consumer electronics, medical area and networking.[6] Several notable products also use VxWorks as the onboard operating system.[34]

Aerospace and defense

Spacecraft

Aircraft

Space telescopes
Others

Automotive

Consumer electronics

Industrial

Industrial robots
Test and Measurement
Transportation
Controllers
Storage systems
Imaging
Others

Medical

Humphrey Field Analyzer HFA-II Series

Networking and communication infrastructure

TCP vulnerability and CVE patches

As of July 2019, a paper published by Armis[113] exposed 11 critical vulnerabilities, including remote code execution, denial of service, information leaks, and logical flaws impacting more than two billion devices using the VxWorks RTOS.[114] The vulnerability allows attackers to tunnel into an internal network using the vulnerability and hack into printers, laptops, and any other connected devices. The vulnerability can bypass firewalls as well.[115]

The system is in use by quite a few mission-critical products, many of which could not be easily patched.[116]

Notes and References

  1. "VxWorks Goes 64-bit", Electronic Design, March 25, 2011
  2. Web site: Wind River Announces RISC-V Support for VxWorks RTOS. 2019-12-10. www.businesswire.com. en. 2019-12-11.
  3. http://electronicdesign.com/embedded/rtos-handles-amp-and-smp RTOS
  4. Web site: Intel Adds Virtualization Platform for Industrial Systems . John Rath . February 2014.
  5. http://www.embeddedstar.com/weblog/2011/02/28/intel-vxworks/ Embedded Star
  6. http://itersnews.com/?p=70622 Wind River
  7. Web site: VxWorks 7 Announced . harmonicss.co.uk . 2014 . June 20, 2014 . July 4, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140704044303/http://harmonicss.co.uk/index.php/component/content/article/43-news-vxworks/88-vxworks-7-announced . dead .
  8. Wind River Reinvents the RTOS for the IoT, Business Wire, February 2014
  9. Web site: Wind River outfits VxWorks for 'Internet of things' | ITworld . Joab . Jackson . itworld.com . 2014 . June 20, 2014 . March 11, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140311030503/http://www.itworld.com/open-source/407290/wind-river-outfits-vxworks-internet-things . dead .
  10. Web site: Embedded Systems Glossary: V. www.netrino.com. November 30, 2007 . Netrino, LLC. September 20, 2010.
  11. Web site: SEC filing . Secinfo.com . January 19, 1996 . 2011-11-18.
  12. https://www.wired.com/wired/archive/6.09/wind_pr.html Lord of the Toasters
  13. Book: Li . Qing . Yao . Caroline . 2003 . Real-Time Concepts for Embedded Systems . CMP Books . 1-57820-124-1.
  14. http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/wind-river-systems-inc-history/ Company Histories
  15. Wind River Outfits VxWorks for the Internet of Things, Computer World
  16. Web site: Embedded Software Market latest Trends and New Technologies Research Forecast to 2025. 24 February 2021.
  17. Web site: Wind River Releases 64-Bit VxWorks RTOS . Windriver.com . 2011-11-18 . October 28, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111028203244/http://www.windriver.com/news/press/pr.html?ID=8881 . dead .
  18. https://www.opengroup.org/ POSIX
  19. http://www-cdfonline.fnal.gov/daq/computing/vxworks/filesystems.html Filesystems
  20. Wind River Reinvents the Real-Time Operating System for the Internet of Things Windriver.com,
  21. Intel Tackles SoC With Quark"' EE Times, October 7, 2013
  22. Web site: how to configure woflssl for vxworks 6.6 build (Page 1) — wolfSSL (formerly CyaSSL) — wolfSSL - Embedded SSL Library. www.wolfssl.com. 2019-02-19.
  23. http://www.windriver.com/products/workbench/ Workbench Product Note
  24. Web site: Wind River Products.
  25. Web site: BSP QUERY TOOL . 2023-10-23 . bsp.windriver.com.
  26. Wind River reinvents the RTOS for the IoT, Business Wire
  27. Web site: Wind River VxWorks 5.x Page . Windriver.com . 2011-11-18 . September 27, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110927122955/http://www.windriver.com/products/run-time_technologies/Real-Time_Operating_Systems/VxWorks_5x/ . dead .
  28. Web site: Wind River Linux Main Page . Windriver.com . 2007-03-29 . 2011-11-18.
  29. Web site: Wind River OCD Main Page . Windriver.com . 2011-11-18.
  30. "VxWorks Gets Re-vamped" Information Technology
  31. [Simics]
  32. http://www.windriver.com/products/simics/ Wind River Simics
  33. Accelerate Software Development with Wind River Simics, Intel webpage
  34. http://www.windriver.com/customers/ VxWorks customer list
  35. Web site: Unknown. https://web.archive.org/web/20200806041643/https://ai.jpl.nasa.gov/public/documents/papers/rabideau_iwpss2017_prototyping.pdf . dead . August 6, 2020 . 2023-11-30 .
  36. http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/134041-inside-nasas-curiosity-its-an-apple-airport-extreme-with-wheels%20ExtremeTech ExtremeTech
  37. http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/clementine.html Clementine Project
  38. http://news.oreilly.com/2008/07/the-software-behind-the-mars-p.html The Software Behind the Mars Phoenix Lander
  39. http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/134041-inside-nasas-curiosity-its-an-apple-airport-extreme-with-wheels ExtremeTech
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  41. https://iq.intel.com/bullseye-autonomous-satellite-enters-jupiters-orbit/ Bullseye: Autonomous Satellite Enters Jupiter’s Orbit
  42. AgustaWestland Project Zero
  43. the US Navy’s unmanned combat air system X-47B, YouTube video
  44. http://www.verocel.com/our-customers/ Verocel
  45. The Free Library, Farlex
  46. http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/rq-170-sentinel/ Airforce-Technology.com
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  53. https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aTZ4I7Yaw9YY Barco
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  55. Wind River Helps Bosch Motorsport Race For The Win, Globe and Mail
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  60. Web site: AMX AV/IT Administrators Guide.
  61. http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/reviews/drobo-droboshare-in-depth-review.ht Drobo
  62. Honda Robots Asimo, Robotics Technology Simplified
  63. Motorola's DCT2500 Core Interactive Digital Set-Tops Deployed With Wind River Software, BrightRoll news webpage
  64. As a Case Study of WindRiver: introduce MobbyTalk/MobbyTalk253, Mobile Technika
  65. MythTv on ReplayTv hardware?, Don Ritter
  66. Web site: ABB Robotics and vxworks . ABB. 2011-11-18.
  67. http://technews.tmcnet.com/channels/network-acceleration/articles/240131-comau-robotics-picks-wind-river-vxworks-rtos.htm Comau
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  69. http://www.copalp.com/en/products/runtime/vxworks/browse/11/index.html COPALP
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  75. Leading Chinese Transportation Company Relies on Wind River to Meet Stringent Safety Certification Goal, On-line Wall Street Journal
  76. Bombardier Transportation Selects Wind River Platforms for Safety Critical Certified Display on London Underground, Online UK https://web.archive.org/web/20130316024452/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2010/09/20/idUS171894+20-Sep-2010+BW20100920Reuters
  77. Wind Power Automation Leader Bachmann Relies On Wind River VxWorks For Next-Generation Controller System, Globe and mail
  78. https://instrumentsignpost.wordpress.com/ Invensys
  79. http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/allkb/35F1FD98520D6E0E8625783A005AF557 National Instruments Support
  80. https://www.slac.stanford.edu/grp/ssrl/spear/epics/base/3.14.11/README.html EPICS
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  82. http://www.mceinc.com/products/manuals/WebManuals/iControl_AC_Rel_3_4_42-02-2223_B5.pdf iBox user guide
  83. http://imaging.toshiba.co.uk/ Toshiba Photocopiers
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  88. http://www.fedegari.com/products/thema4-process-controller Thema
  89. http://www.sironausa.com/us/products/digital-dentistry/cerec-chairside-solutions/ CEREC
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  91. http://www.telecompaper.com/news/ubee-airwalk-uses-wind-rivers-vxworks-in-sprint-femotcell--898435 Ubee-Airwalk
  92. http://www.kontron.com/enewswire/emea/1-e-newswire/2010/201009/m6.php Kontron
  93. QQTechnologies goes Global with VxWorks, Datsheets 360
  94. News: Huawei in British spotlight over use of U.S. firm's software. Stubbs. Jack. 2018-08-05. Reuters U.K.. en-GB.
  95. http://broadlightusa.com/clients.htm Broadlight
  96. https://www.google.ca/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=vWm5U4W_H4ON8QeupoDgCQ&gws_rd=ssl#q=Sky+Pilot+vxworks Sky Pilot
  97. Wind River delivers Raptor with VxWorks Platform, ETT Asia news
  98. http://www.3g.co.uk/PR/1716.htm Siemens
  99. FlexiPacket Release Note
  100. Oracle acme support page
  101. Avaya ERS 8600 Wikipedia
  102. [Dell PowerConnect]
  103. Routing Protocol Operations Guide for SmartEdge
  104. http://www.beldensolutions.com/en/Company/Press/PR100EN0409/index.phtml Enhanced Security
  105. http://www.voip-security.net/index.php/articles/mitel/mitel-controllers-menu/109-vxworks-commands-cheat-sheet VoIP
  106. [Multiservice Switch|Multiservic]
  107. http://kb.radware.com/questions/2341/During+the+boot+process+of+File-System+based+software+versions,+a+warning+message+appears+on+Application+Switch+1+platforms Knowledge Base
  108. Web site: Samsung OfficeServ brochure.
  109. http://www.timk.de/it-blog/a_deeper_view_of_sonicwall_kerne/ Tim's IT-Blob
  110. http://www.satphonestore.com/application-browsing/satellite-phones/thuraya-so2510.html Thuraya
  111. SANYO Multimedia Tottori Chooses RADVISION SIP Developer Toolkit to Build New IP Phone, Business Wire
  112. 3Com NBX Phone Systems, AdCom Technologies Inc.
  113. Web site: Urgent/11 Critical Vulnerability. Armis. July 31, 2019. August 3, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190803101359/https://go.armis.com/hubfs/White-papers/Urgent11%20Technical%20White%20Paper.pdf. dead.
  114. Web site: Critical Vulnerabilities Dubbed URGENT/11 Place Devices Running VxWorks at Risk of RCE Attacks. 2019-07-29. Tenable®. en. 2019-07-31.
  115. Web site: Wind River VxWorks and URGENT/11: Patch Now. Gmuender. John. 2019-07-29. SonicWall. en-us. 2019-07-31.
  116. An Operating System Bug Exposes 200 Million Critical Devices. Newman. Lily Han. Wired.

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