Operating system "Elbrus" and the domestic processor. Monoblock "KM4-Elbrus"

The Russian computer industry is capable of supplying solutions that may well be competitive with the products of the world's leading brands. So, in the segment of microprocessors - one of the most technologically advanced and characterized by a very high threshold of entry - the domestic company MTSTS is ready as an alternative to chips from Intel and AMD to offer Russian processors to the market. Computer "Elbrus" in any of the modifications, which are presented in the widest range, is an example of a functional system based on such chips. In this case, the device can operate under the control of the Elbrus OS, which was also created by the MCTS. What is the specificity of the software and hardware solutions developed by the Russian brand?

History of computers "Elbrus"

Before studying the specifics of the "Elbrus" OS and the corresponding type of processors, we will study the key moments of the history of the domestic computer brand. For the first time, computers that laid the foundation for the Elbrus technology line appeared in the 1970s. They were developed by the Institute of Precision Mechanics and Computer Engineering. In the 80-ies and 90-ies the possibilities of computer systems were improved. Since Soviet times, the key consumer of the Elbrus systems is the military-industrial complex. The processors met the strictest criteria, which is understandable because of their defensive use. It is known, for example, that the Elbrus complexes were involved in the structure of the ABM system of the A-135 type.

In 1991 the work on the Elbrus-3 complex was completed. Due to economic difficulties after the "perestroika", it was not possible to implement the necessary setup of the complex. In 1992, the developers of computers of the Elbrus line created the company MCTS and began to work on the implementation of a special microprocessor architecture. They managed to successfully solve the task. The architecture created allowed to combine energy efficiency and productivity in computers.

Compatibility with Intel and AMD algorithms

Also, the task was solved to ensure the compatibility of Elbrus processors with the algorithms of the x86 architecture chips, on the basis of which solutions from Intel and AMD operate.

Due to this capability, modern domestic computers based on Elbrus processors can operate under different operating systems, including some versions of Windows OS.

Computing modules

Several computational modules were created on the basis of Elbrus chips. Let's consider their specificity. Under the module in the company MCTS is understood a motherboard, which is equipped with the necessary interfaces. In principle, it is a ready-made computer that only needs to be connected to a power source, and also to equip the required type with disk drives. The computer system on the Elbrus crystal is built in the following modules:

- MVKUB / S;

- module "Monocub";

- MVK / U;

- CUB-COM;

- module MV3S / SC.

In the module MVKUB / S - two processors "Elbrus", in the others one chip is installed. In the system type MV3S / C-K there is an additional module of flash memory, intended for binary translation.

Actually, each of the devices in the list has a built-in flash drive, on which you can install the operating system - that is, strictly speaking, the computer will be functional even without connecting hard drives.

Computing systems

Another category of devices based on Elbrus processors is computer systems. These include ready-made computers, which the company MCST also developed in a wide range. Let's consider the basic decisions created by the Russian brand.

A laptop

In the line of computer systems there is a laptop, whose name sounds like "The portable terminal of NT-Elbrus S".

It is somewhat larger in size than the corresponding type of computers common in modern stores, but this is due to their high degree of security. Features of the complex allow you to run on it basic office applications.

Desktop

An interesting model is Monocub-PC, which can be classified as a desktop. It has 4 GB of RAM and a hard drive with a capacity of 500 GB - quite averages. In addition, they can always be increased. Any monitor that supports VGA or DVI interfaces can be connected to this computer system.

Monoblock

Monoblock "KM4-Elbrus" is a universal computer, it is somewhat similar to the configuration with the famous solutions from Apple. The device is interesting in that its screen is touchscreen, and also has a decent resolution of 1600 by 900 pixels. Monoblock "KM4-Elbrus" can also be used with another monitor.

Server

The Elbrus-3C complex is a powerful server. It is equipped with 16 processors. It has 128 GB of RAM installed. In this complex, solid-state disks are used, as well as an optical network type controller. The construction of the Elbrus-3S complex is modular. Due to this, it can be configured in accordance with the specific requirements of the customer.

The Elbrus-4S processor

The subject of special pride in the Russian computer industry is the new 4-core microprocessor "Elbrus-4S". Let's consider its main features. It belongs to the 64-bit category. Each of its cores operates at a frequency of 800 MHz and can interact with 3 channels of RAM type DDR3-1600. It is possible to combine up to 4 processors into a system with a common set of memory modules. The processor is manufactured in accordance with the technology of 65 nm. The power consumption of the chip is about 45 watts.

The overall performance of the processor with the use of all the cores is about 50 gigaflops at single precision or 25 gigaflops at double. The chip "Elbrus-4S" is compatible with the binary translation of the codes of the world's leading processors manufacturers - Intel and AMD. As for the comparison of the speed of the Russian processor and solutions from Intel and AMD, much depends on the specific operating mode of the chips. Undoubtedly, according to the nominal frequency index, the Elbrus processor is inferior to microcircuits from the world's leading manufacturers. And that's why, according to experts, it may not be optimal for launching popular computer games. But it works by other algorithms, assuming advantages in its use when performing a different type of operation.

The Elbrus 8C processor

Among the latest solutions from the MCTS is the Elbrus 8C processor. It has 8 cores. The chip is based on the technological process of 28 nm - at the level of the world's leading developments. The processor has 4 MB of cache in the second level, 16 MB in the third. The chip is compatible with RAM modules of type DDR3-1600. The performance of the newest processor from the MCTS is 250 gigaflops. This figure exceeds the figures that the Intel Core i7 chip type 4930K shows. Its speed of operation is about 130-140 gigaflops. It is known that for a new processor from the MCTS, a separate type of motherboard is created.

The computers produced by the company MCTST, installed the operating system "Elbrus". Let us consider the specifics of the Russian OS in more detail.

OS "Elbrus": general information

The operating system "Elbrus" is based on the Linux kernel in version 2.6.33, but there is information that it is planned to upgrade the corresponding OS component to version 3.10.

The main distribution for the Russian OS is Debian, which has proved to be a reliable server solution. The operating system "Elbrus" includes about 4 thousand different software packages. The distribution includes a wide range of tools to support the operation of servers, as well as solving problems that are relevant to the user. So, in the structure of the OS "Elbrus" there are:

- graphical interface;

- the browser;

- programs for working with texts;

- Multimedia players;

- mail clients;

- Database management system ;

- Web server.

It can be noted that the software, which is intended to be used on the Elbrus OS, is certified.

Structure of "Elbrus OS"

The "Elbrus" operating system is built with simultaneous use of open-source algorithms that are available to world developers, as well as development tools created by the specialists of the company MCTST. Among the components of the second type is a compiler capable of working with several computer languages. OS "Elbrus", like other common user operating systems, can provide multi-tasking mode of PC operation.

Specifically for this OS, concepts for managing software processes, interrupts, synchronization, etc. have been developed. In order to optimize the Linux kernel, the standard library responsible for the computation flows, libpthread, was changed to the tasks of Elbrus computing systems. Instead, the OS developers created the elpthread library.

The structure of the Elbrus operating system includes the following useful modules:

- A command line that allows the user to work with the computational complex using text commands and interact in an appropriate way with various applications;

- tools for complex archiving of files in order to improve the convenience of their transfer or storage;

- a set of development tools: compilers, link editors, debuggers, assemblers, editors, translators, various libraries, documentation tools, and so on.

Among the key libraries of the operating system is Glibe, which is also used on other OSs created on the basis of Linux.

These are general information about the operating system of the MVK Elbrus. It can be noted that this OS is largely designed for the use of military structures, so it is difficult to find it in general access, like other Linux distributions.

Interesting facts about developments from MTSTS

The operating system "Elbrus" and the domestic processor type 4C - among the flagships of the company MCTST. However, the Russian developer, of course, is not limited to releasing and supporting appropriate solutions. Consider what software and hardware products the brand produces today.

It is known that JSC "MCTS" is developing two basic lines of microprocessors - with the architecture of types VLIW and SPARC. As for the first architecture, it is based on the production of the MCTS-R series, as well as the MCTST-4R. The chips "Elbrus" refer to those that are based on the architecture of VLIW. However, computers of the Elbrus series can be equipped with both types of processors.

In total, the Russian developer has created three main OS. Firstly, it is an OSL_3M1 operating system, optimized for Elbrus-3M1 complexes. Secondly, it's OSL_90, which was created for the Elbrus-90 micro complex. Thirdly, it's OS_E90, which is based on the Solaris operating system in version 2.5.1. The first two OSs are often combined under a single name - OS "Elbrus". It is also known that a special version of the OS is under development for the newest processor of the 8C type, which we mentioned above.

It is interesting that the name of processors, ready solutions and OS developed by MCTST is almost identical to the localization system of ElBRUS, popular among users of computers based on EPOC OS in 2000. This operating system, according to some data, became the prototype of Symbian. The capabilities of the localization system "Elbrus" impressed many enthusiasts of the corresponding type of device. However, data that would indicate the continuity of the two brands was not available to the general public.

Prospects for using the Elbrus OS

The key consumer of MCTS development today is, as we noted at the beginning of the article, the MIC. Therefore, the software and hardware solutions created by the Russian brand are likely to be bought by military structures as a matter of priority. The considered developments of the company MCTS are able to facilitate the import substitution process in a number of IT-segments. This may be relevant for systems that require a high level of security.

In this aspect, the computational modules developed by the MCST have a distinctive feature: the key components that are part of their structure have the necessary documentation, pass if necessary in competent structures. It is expected that computers based on Elbrus chips of the 4C and 8C series will be in demand not only in the military sphere, but also among civil consumers.