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Node Overview

Scope

  • Node lifecycle
  • Configuration management
  • IC OS (Guest)
  • HostOS (Host)
  • Testnet Deployment

Summary

  • IC-OS is an all-encompassing term for all Internet Computer operating system images including HostOS, GuestOS, SetupOS, and Boundary-GuestOS
  • Boundary-GuestOS is not relevant for replica upgrade reviews.
  • SetupOS is an image containing both the HostOS and GuestOS
    • Deploys and bootstraps HostOS
  • HostOS is the operating system that runs on the host machine
    • Main responsibility is to launch and run the GuestOS in a virtual machine
    • Creates a contained running environment across different hardware for the GuestOS
    • Acts as a convenience wrapper for Node Providers
    • Enables a secure enclave for guestOS (via SEV-SNP)
  • GuestOS runs inside a virtual machine on the hostOS.
    • Runs the core IC protocol is run (the replica and orchestrator)
    • Protected in a secure enclave such that if an attacker gained access, they could not view or modify the data
    • Secure enclave is only possible in a virtual machine
    • Secure enclave is a work in progress

Resources

Codebase