SECO spins out Clea OS for container IoT
SECO in Italy has spun out its industrial grade embedded Linux framework as a new member of the Clea software stack for container applications.
SECO sees releasing the Clea OS embedded Linux framework as a standalone package as a significant step towards the development of integrated IoT systems supporting both ARM and x86 devices.
Having been a core component of the Clea software suite for years, Clea OS is now available as a standalone operating system. This allows a broader audience to benefit from and contribute to the advancements in running containers on connected devices.
Clea OS simplifies and integrates management of the development and deployment processes, device monitoring, and remote access, and is integrated with Clea’s cloud components. It is compatible with nearly the entire SECO edge product catalogue and supports both x86 and ARM processors.
The Linux framework has a robust networking and provisioning framework and prioritizes long-term operational reliability with a streamlined developer workflow and comes in two versions.
The minimal version includes only the essential services needed for secure updates and reliable Docker operation on embedded devices, while the full version is pre-configured with all the tools necessary for testing and developing complex applications, including human-machine interface (HMI) systems.
Clea OS minimizes maintenance requirements through frequent updates and long-term support (LTS). It fully supports SECO hardware and facilitates continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD), ensuring a streamlined and efficient development process. It includes all necessary components and services to facilitate reliable updates using an A/B partitioning layout scheme. This ensures that updates are applied safely and reliably, reducing downtime and maintaining system integrity. An out-of-the-box connection to the Clea IoT technology stack enables the management of devices remotely. This includes secure remote over-the-air (OTA) updates, device monitoring, and remote access.
Clea OS is based on the Yocto Project and allows developers to create custom Linux distributions tailored to specific requirements. This includes modifying recipes, adding custom layers, and configuring the system to meet unique application needs, enhancing the overall user experience. Clea OS is built on top of open-source software, offering flexibility that makes it easy to port to any hardware, avoiding vendor lock-in. It is highly customizable to meet specific product requirements.
This new release supports a broader range of hardware platforms, including devices based on NXP, Intel, Qualcomm, Mediatek, and Rockchip proces sors, the Raspberry Pi 4, as well as QEMU emulation for ARM, ARM64, and x86 architectures. This extended compatibility allows developers to deploy Clea OS across various environments and hardware configurations, fostering greater flexibility and scalability in IoT infrastructure.
Future plans include introducing secure boot, software bill of materials (SBOM) generation across all SECO hardware and continuous vulnerability assessment for security posture, enhancing security compliance and protecting systems from the ground up.
“Clea OS is a unique industrial grade Linux distribution that stands out for its unified compatibility with a wide range of processor architectures and silicon vendor support – from low-power Arm® SoC, to high-end x86 server platforms. Its added value lies in its seamless integration with the Clea suite, enabling the latest IoT and security functionalities right out of the box,” said Marco Sogli, Head of Global Software of SECO.
“We are working hard to bring an open, end-to-end IoT developer platform solution to the market and empowering developers and organizations to focus on their use cases rather than solving IoT technology challenges. We are proud to release the latest version of Clea OS, which goes in this exact direction,” said Davide Catani, Chief Technology Officer of SECO.
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