The Russian computer industry is capable of delivering solutions that may well be competitive with respect to products from leading global brands. So, in the segment of microprocessors - one of the most technologically advanced and characterized by a very high entry threshold - the domestic company MTST is ready to offer Russian processors to the market as an alternative to Intel and AMD chips. The Elbrus computer in any of the modifications that are presented in the widest range is an example of a functional system based on such chips. At the same time, the considered type of device can operate under the control of Elbrus OS, which was also created by the MCST. What is the specificity of software and hardware solutions developed by the Russian brand?
The history of Elbrus computers
Before studying the specifics of Elbrus OS and the corresponding type of processors, we will study the key moments in the history of the domestic computer brand. For the first time, the computers that laid the foundation for the Elbrus technological line appeared in the 70s. The Institute of Precision Mechanics and Computer Engineering was engaged in their development . In the 80s and 90s, the capabilities of computing systems improved. Since Soviet times, the key consumer of the Elbrus systems is the military-industrial complex. The processors met the most stringent criteria, which is understandable due to their defense use. It is known, for example, that Elbrus systems were involved in the structure of the A-135 missile defense system.
In 1991, work was completed on the Elbrus-3 complex. Due to economic difficulties after the “perestroika”, it was not possible to carry out the necessary adjustment of the complex. In 1992, Elbrus line of computer developers created the MCST company and began working on the implementation of a special microprocessor architecture. They managed to successfully solve the problem. The created architecture made it possible to combine energy efficiency and productivity in computers.
Compatible with Intel and AMD Algorithms
The problem of ensuring the compatibility of Elbrus processors with x86 architecture chip algorithms was also solved, on the basis of which solutions from Intel and AMD work.
Due to this feature, modern domestic computers based on Elbrus processors can operate under various operating systems, including some versions of Windows.
Computing Modules
Based on the Elbrus chips, several computing modules have been created. Consider their specifics. Under the module in the company MCST we mean a motherboard that is equipped with the necessary interfaces. In principle, this is a ready-made computer that only needs to be connected to a power source, as well as to equip the required type with disk drives. The computing system on the Elbrus crystal is built in the following modules:
- MVKUB / S;
- module "Monocub";
- MVK / U;
- CUB-COM;
- module MV3S / SK.
In the MVKUB / S module there are two Elbrus processors, in the rest one chip is installed. In a system of type MV3S / C-K, there is an additional flash memory module designed for binary translation.
Actually, in each of the devices presented in the list there is 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 complexes
Another category of devices created on the basis of Elbrus processors is computer systems. These include ready-made computers, which the MCST company has also developed in a wide range. Consider the main solutions created by the Russian brand.
A laptop
In the line of computer systems there is a laptop, the name of which sounds like “Wearable terminal 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. The characteristics of the complex allow you to run basic office applications on it.
Desktop
An interesting model is the Monocub-PC, which can be classified as a desktop. It has 4 GB of RAM and a 500 GB hard drive, which are quite average market indicators. They also can always be increased. You can connect any monitor supporting VGA or DVI interfaces to this computing complex.
Monoblock
Monoblock "KM4-Elbrus" is a universal computer, it is somewhat similar in configuration to the well-known solutions from Apple. The device is interesting in that its screen is touch-sensitive, as well as having 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. This complex uses solid-state disks, as well as an optical-type network controller. The design of the Elbrus-3C complex is modular. Due to this, it can be configured in accordance with the specific requirements of the customer.
Elbrus-4C processor
The special pride of the Russian computer industry is the new 4-core Elbrus-4C microprocessor. Consider its main features. It belongs to the category of 64-bit. Each of its cores operates at a frequency of 800 MHz and can interact with 3 RAM channels of the DDR3-1600 type. It is possible to combine up to 4 processors into a system with a common complex of memory modules. Processor manufactured in accordance with 65 nm technology. The power consumption of the chip is about 45 watts.
The total processor performance when using all the cores is about 50 gigaflops with single precision or 25 gigaflops with double. The Elbrus-4C chip is compatible with binary translation of codes of the world's leading processor manufacturers - Intel and AMD. As for comparing the speed of the Russian processor and solutions from Intel and AMD, much depends on the specific mode of operation of the chips. Of course, in terms of the nominal frequency indicator, the Elbrus processor is inferior to microchips from leading manufacturers. And therefore, he, experts believe, may not be completely optimal for running popular computer games. But it works according to other algorithms, suggesting advantages in its use when performing a different type of operation.
Elbrus 8C processor
Among the latest solutions from the MCST is the Elbrus 8C processor. It has 8 cores. The chip is based on a 28 nm manufacturing process - at the level of leading world developments. The processor has 4 MB of cache in the second level, 16 MB in the third. The chip is compatible with RAM modules like DDR3-1600. The performance of the latest processor from the MCST is 250 gigaflops. This figure exceeds the numbers shown by the Intel Core i7 chip type 4930K. Its speed is about 130-140 gigaflops. It is known that a separate type of motherboard is created for the latest processor from the MCST.
On computers manufactured by the MCST company, the Elbrus operating system is installed. Consider the specifics of the Russian OS in more detail.
OS Elbrus: general information
The Elbrus operating system is based on the Linux kernel in version 2.6.33, but there is evidence 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 established itself as a reliable server solution. The Elbrus operating system includes about 4 thousand different software packages. The distribution includes a wide range of tools to ensure the operation of servers, as well as solving problems that are relevant to the user. So, in the structure of Elbrus OS are present:
- graphical interface;
- browser;
- programs for working with texts;
- multimedia players;
- mail clients;
- database management system ;
- web server.
It can be noted that the software that is supposed to be used on the Elbrus OS is being certified.
Structure "OS Elbrus"
The Elbrus operating system is built with the simultaneous use of open source algorithms generally available to world developers, as well as development tools created by the specialists of the MCST company. Among the components of the second type is a compiler capable of working with several computer languages. Elbrus OS, like other common user operating systems, can provide multi-tasking PC operation mode.
Especially for this OS, the concepts of managing software processes, interrupts, synchronization, etc. were developed. In order to optimize the Linux kernel for the tasks of Elbrus computing systems, the standard library responsible for computational flows, libpthread, was changed. Instead, OS developers created the elpthread library.
The Elbrus operating system also includes the following useful modules:
- a command line that allows the user to work with the computing complex using text commands and interact in an appropriate way with various applications;
- tools for integrated archiving of files in order to increase the convenience of their transfer or storage;
- a set of development tools: compilers, link editors, debuggers, assemblers, editors, translators, various libraries, documentation tools, etc.
Among the key OS libraries is Glibe, which is also used on other Linux-based OSs.
Such is the general information about the operating system of MVK Elbrus. It can be noted that this OS is largely designed for use by military structures, so it is difficult to find it in general access, like other Linux distributions.
Interesting facts about developments from the ICST
The Elbrus operating system and the domestic 4C processor are among the flagships of the MCST company. However, the Russian developer, of course, is not limited to the release and support of relevant solutions. Consider what software and hardware products the brand produces today.
It is known that CJSC “MCST” is developing two basic lines of microprocessors - with the architecture of the VLIW and SPARC types. As for the first architecture, the processors of the MTsST-R series, as well as the MTsST-4R are produced on its basis. Elbrus chips refer to those based on the VLIW architecture. However, computers of the Elbrus series can be equipped with processors of both types.
In total, the Russian developer created three main operating systems. Firstly, it is an OSL_3M1 type operating system optimized for Elbrus-3M1 systems. Secondly, it is OSL_90, which was created for the Elbrus-90 micro complex. Thirdly, it is OS_E90, which is based on the Solaris operating system in version 2.5.1. The first two operating systems are often combined under a single name - Elbrus OS. It is also known that a special version of the OS is being developed for the latest processor type 8C, which we mentioned above.
An interesting fact is that the name of the processors, ready-made solutions and OS developed by the MCST company is almost identical to the Elbrus localization system, popular in 2000 among users of computers based on the EPOC OS. This operating system, according to some reports, has become the prototype of Symbian. The capabilities of the Elbrus localization system impressed many enthusiasts of the corresponding type of devices. However, data that would indicate the continuity of the two brands were not made available to the general public.
Prospects for using the Elbrus OS
A key consumer of ICST development today is, as we noted at the beginning of the article, the military-industrial complex. Therefore, the software and hardware solutions created by the Russian brand are most likely to be purchased by military structures as a matter of priority. The considered developments of the MCST company are capable of facilitating the process of import substitution in a number of IT segments. This may be relevant for systems that require a high level of security.
In this aspect, the computing modules developed by the MCST have a distinctive feature: the key components that are included in their structure, have the necessary documentation, and, if necessary, are checked by 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 civilian consumers.