VxWorks

VxWorks started in the late 1980s as a set of enhancements to a simple RTOS called VRTX[11] sold by Ready Systems (becoming a Mentor Graphics product in 1995).[12] 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 developed its own kernel to replace VRTX within VxWorks.[13]

VxWorks key milestones are:[14]

• 1980s: VxWorks adds support for 32-bit processors.
• 1990s: VxWorks 5 becomes the first RTOS with a networking stack.
• 2000s: VxWorks 6 supports SMP and adds derivative industry-specific platforms.
• 2010s: VxWorks adds support for 64-bit processing[6] and introduces VxWorks 7 for IoT in 2016.[15]

VxWorks supports Intel architecture, Power architecture, and ARM architectures.[2] The RTOS can be used in multi-core asymmetric multiprocessing (AMP), symmetric multiprocessing (SMP), and mixed modes[6] and multi-OS (via Type 1 hypervisor)[5] 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).[6] 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.[6]

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,[9] 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 technology for VxWorks provides add-on technology-related capabilities, such as:

• Advanced security features to safeguard devices and data residing in and traveling across the Internet of Things (IoT)
• Advanced safety partitioning to enable reliable application consolidation
• Real-time advanced visual edge analytics allowing autonomous responses on VxWorks-based devices in real time without latency
• Optimized embedded Java runtime engine enabling the deployment of Java applications
• Virtualization capability with a real-time embedded, Type 1 hypervisor

A list of some of the features of the OS are:[4][16][17][18]

• Multitasking kernel with preemptive and round-robin scheduling and fast interrupt response
• Native 64-bit operating system (only one 64-bit architecture supported: x86-64). Data model: LP64.
• User-mode applications ("Real-Time Processes", or RTP) isolated from other user-mode applications as well as the kernel via memory protection mechanisms.
• SMP, AMP and mixed mode multiprocessing support
• Error handling framework
• Bluetooth, USB, CAN protocols, Firewire IEEE 1394, BLE, L2CAP, Continua stack, health device profile
• Binary, counting, and mutual exclusion semaphores with priority inheritance
• Local and distributed message queues
• POSIX PSE52 certified conformity in user-mode execution environment
• File systems: High Reliability File System (HRFS), FAT-based file system (DOSFS), Network File System (NFS), and TFFS
• Dual-mode IPv6 networking stack with IPv6 Ready Logo certification
• Memory protection including real-time processes (RTPs), error detection and reporting, and IPC
• Multi-OS messaging using TIPC and Wind River multi-OS IPC
• Symbolic debugging

In March 2014, Wind River introduced VxWorks 7, which emphasizes scalability, security, safety, connectivity, graphics, and virtualization.[10][15][19] The following lists some of the release 7 updates.[1][6][7][10] More information can be found on the Wind Rivers VxWorks website.

• Modular, componentized architecture using a layered build system with the ability to update each layer of code independently
• VxWorks microkernel (a full RTOS that can be as small as 20 KB)
• Security features such as digitally-signed modules (X.509), encryption, password management, ability to add/delete users at runtime
• SHA-256 hashing algorithm as the default password hashing algorithm
• Human machine interface with Vector Graphics, and Tilcon user interface (UI)
• Graphical user interface (GUI): OpenVG stack, Open GL, Tilcon UI, Frame Buffer Driver, EV Dev Interface
• Updated configuration interfaces for VxWorks Source Build VSB projects and VxWorks Image Projects
• Single authentication control used for Telnet, SSH, FTP, and rlogin daemons
• Connectivity with Bluetooth and SocketCAN protocol stacks
• Inclusion of MIPC File System (MFS) and MIPC Network Device (MND)
• Networking features with 64-bit support including Wind River MACsec, Wind River's implementation of IEEE 802.1A, Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) over L2TP, PPP over virtual local area network (VLAN) and Diameter secure key storage
• New Wind River Workbench 4 for VxWorks 7 integrated development environment with new system analysis tools
• Wind River Diab Compiler 5.9.4; Wind River GNU Compiler 4.8; Intel C++ Compiler 14 and Intel Integrated Performance Primitives (IPP) 8

VxWorks has been ported to a number of platforms and now runs on practically any modern CPU that is used in the embedded market. This includes the Intel x86 family (including the Intel Quark SoC),[20] 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.[2] 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.[21]

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:[2][22]

Supported target architectures and processor families

VxWorks supports the following target architectures:

• ARM
• Intel architecture
• Power architecture
• RISC-V architecture[3]

For the latest target architecture, processors and board support packages, refer to the VxWorks Marketplace: https://marketplace.windriver.com/index.php?bsp&on=locate&type=platform

The Eclipse-based Workbench IDE that comes with VxWorks is used to configure, analyze, optimize, and debug a VxWorks-based system under development.[23] The Tornado IDE was used for VxWorks 5.x[24] and was replaced by the Eclipse-based Workbench IDE for VxWorks 6.x. and later.[22] Workbench is also the IDE for the Wind River Linux,[25] On-Chip Debugging,[26] and Wind River Diab Compiler product lines. VxWorks 7 uses Wind River Workbench 4[27] which updates to the Eclipse 4 base provide full third party plug-in support and usability improvements.

Wind River Simics[28][29] 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.[30]

The Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover uses VxWorks.

The ASIMO Robot uses VxWorks.

AgustaWestland Project Zero uses VxWorks.

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter uses VxWorks.

The Clementine spacecraft used VxWorks.

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.[7] Several notable products also use VxWorks as the onboard operating system.[31]

As of July 2019, a paper published by Armis[110] 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.[111] The findings are significant since this system is in use by quite a few mission-critical products. This YouTube video from Armis[112] shows how an attacker can 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.[113]

Information and patches for all VxWorks versions affected by Urgent/11 vulnerability can be obtained from Wind River.[114]

The Wind River VxWorks operating system is used on the Boeing 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10 aircraft. As of April 2, 2020, the US Federal Aviation Administration requires the operating system to be power-cycled, or turned off and on, every fifty-one (51) days.[115] The reason for requiring the periodic reboot of the common core system (CCS) is that its failure when continuously powered could lead to a loss of the common data network (CDN) message age validation, which filters out stale data from key flight control displays. From the FAA Air Directive: "The potential loss of the stale-data monitoring function of the CCS when continuously powered on for 51 days, if not addressed, could result in erroneous flight-critical data being routed and displayed as valid data, which could reduce the ability of the flight crew to maintain the safe flight and landing of the airplane."

• Official website