Beckhoff RT Linux®
Beckhoff RT Linux® is an operating system for industrial applications provided by Beckhoff. It is based on the Linux® distribution Debian and uses systemd as the init system. The aim is to provide a stable, maintainable and industrial-grade Linux® platform that is specifically tailored to Beckhoff hardware.
Linux® Distribution
The Linux® kernel alone does not constitute a complete operating system. Only the combination with other system software results in a so-called Linux® distribution. A distribution essentially consists of:
- the Linux® kernel,
- a package management system,
- an init system,
- and basic user and administration software.
Beckhoff RT Linux® is a specialized Linux® distribution that integrates these components on the basis of Debian and preconfigures them for industrial use.
Debian as a basis
Beckhoff RT Linux® provides a Debian-based user environment that is based on the latest stable Debian version. Debian is a widely used Linux® distribution known for its stability, long maintenance cycles and extensive software repository.
The software packages contained in Beckhoff RT Linux® are based on Debian packages and are mainly obtained from the official Debian sources. In addition, Beckhoff defines its own package combinations and system-wide default settings to provide a consistent, industry-standard system configuration.
Linux® kernel
The Linux® kernel forms the core of the operating system and is responsible for process and memory management, device control and network functions, among other things. Beckhoff RT Linux® uses a mainline Linux® kernel in which the real-time capability PREEMPT_RT is activated as an integrated kernel feature. This configuration enables deterministic time behavior and reduces latencies, which is required for time-critical industrial applications.
Package management
The package management is based on the Debian package system with the Advanced Package Tool (APT) and the .deb format. Software packages are mainly obtained from the official Debian repositories (deb.debian.org) and are therefore subject to the quality and security guidelines of the Debian distribution.
Beckhoff RT Linux® uses its own, specifically compiled choice of software packages. The administration is carried out completely via the standardized Debian package management, whereby updates, dependencies and system statuses remain transparent and traceable.
Systemd as init system
The init system used is systemd. systemd controls the system startup and management of services and provides a uniform interface for service management, dependency control and system states.
Industrial orientation and application context
Beckhoff RT Linux® is specially designed to meet the requirements of industrial automation systems. A central component of the distribution is a Linux® kernel optimized for real-time requirements.
At the same time, the system remains open and flexible. The Debian-based package management allows additional software components to be installed and maintained in a standardized way. The distribution is also prepared for the use of advanced container technologies such as Docker®, allowing applications to be operated in a modular, isolated and independent manner.
An essential application scenario is the operation of the TwinCAT Runtime for Linux®. This enables TwinCAT control applications to be run directly under Linux®, both in classic and containerized environments. Several TwinCAT Runtimes can be operated in parallel on one industrial PC, allowing different control tasks to be realized on a common hardware platform.