CHAOS/openMosix Linux Cluster Distribution

What is CHAOS - the supercomputer for your wallet?
CHAOS is a tiny (6Mbyte) Linux distribution, that will boot any 586/Pentium (or better) computer into a working openMosix node, without disturbing (or even touching) the contents of the local hard disk.

CHAOS aims to be the fastest, most compact, secure and straight-forward openMosix cluster platform available.

Why the name CHAOS?
CHAOS was a groovy word that ended in OS. This name also best represented the notion of an ad-hoc cluster constructed from nodes that may only ever provide a temporary / intermittent capacity to the over-all cluster environment.

The legacy project name has been retained for community consistency.

What is the purpose of CHAOS/openMosix?
CHAOS is built around the open source project openMosix created by Moshe Bar. openMosix, itself, is a piece of software that is added to the Linux Kernel, to allow many Linux computers to work together as a Single System Image (SSI) type cluster.

CHAOS is an easy way of creating secure, ad-hoc, clusters from any organisation's existing desktop PC investment; The easiest way for any business to harness its unused capacity, and to redeploy that processing capability to its most processor hungry applicatiaons.

What is a Single System Image (SSI)?
A Single System Image (SSI) is a type of cluster technology that aims to create a single large system that is a more powerful version of any of the smaller systems that it is comprised of. It could be considered to be the infrastructure equivalent to a fractal.

The popular alternative cluster technology is Beowulf, which involves a Parallel Computer Emulation software layer being applied to a number of smaller computer systems. The primary difference between the two technologies is that in an SSI, the application software that already runs on a regular Linux installation should not need to be rewritten in order to take advantage of the cluster's processing capacity.

How does the sponsorship by Pure Hacking change CHAOS?
The most significant change to the project, as far as the open source community will be concerned, is the quality of the distribution. To those who have downloaded and used CHAOS previously, future versions will be more useful (or perhaps commercially palatable) and better documented; they will benefit from commercial security testing of the distribution, and the business drivers of low cost deployment, ease of use and manageability within the more typical "restrictive" corporate networks (versus the more "open" university networks).

CHAOS will be forged as a commercial tool and not as a play-thing.

Why does Pure Hacking sponsor CHAOS?
Initially, Pure Hacking benefits through the fulfillment of an immediate need for the processing capacity that CHAOS can provide; this becomes a Password Cracking Cluster resource that can be used during the company's ethical hacking engagements. By parallelising the cracking task, internally, Pure Hacking can provide a service that is functionally equivalent to a "hacker", but within a commercially acceptable time frame.

However, this is an internal resource - a value-add to an existing service already provided to clients. And while this resource is not a "product", it does need to be maintained to a commercial grade. It makes sense, then, that if Pure Hacking has benefit from the open source community, and is going to put the hard yards into maintaining a resource, then that effort should be returned to the open source community so that others may benefit, too.

How do Pure Hacking's clients benefit from projects like this one?
Pure Hacking believes in skills transfer or transfer of knowledge. The tools used to perform penetration testing engagements are divulged to our clients. Working on CHAOS is in line with Pure Hacking's values of assisting clients to assist themselves. By sharing information throughout and after engagements, Pure Hacking's clients not only understand their risks, but they can begin to manage and mitigate them.

Pure Hacking's risk mitigation advice is about return on investment with your current spend. CHAOS embodies this fundamental philosophy.

If you operate within the finance, communications technology, insurance, business services, educational, or legal sectors, then see how Pure Hacking can help you manage the risk for your organisation.

Finance "We initially engaged Pure Hacking to conduct a number of tests in accordance with a set of objectives. Their approach and execution were highly commendable and all objectives were met or exceeded. Based on the experience we had no hesitation in re-engaging Pure Hacking on another assignment. In the area of internet security, I would highly recommend Pure Hacking for a penetration test." IT. Security Manager, International Financial Institution