1 second Linux boot!

Summary: This is seriously impressive - 1 second Linux boot to a Qt application from a cold boot!

This is seriously impressive - 1 second Linux boot to a Qt application from a cold boot!

"Video or it didn't happen!" I hear you say. Well, here you go:

Many people see a demo like this and assume there are 'smoke and mirrors' or that we've implemented a suspend to disk solution. This is genuinely a cold boot including UBoot (2009-01), Linux kernel (2.6.31-rc7) and Qt Embedded Open Source 4.6.2. We've not applied any specific intellectual property but instead spent time analysing where boot delays are coming from and simply optimising them away. The majority of the modifications we make usually fall into the category of 'removing things that aren't required', 'optimising things that are required', or 'taking a new approach to solving problems' and are tailored very precisely to the needs of the 'product'.

(Via @mikkohyponen) Awesome!

Topics: Linux, Open Source, Operating Systems, Software

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79 comments
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  • RE: 1 second Linux boot!

    Let's see Microsuck do that.
    Ron Burgundy
    • You're starting off the day as an idiot, Ron?

      @Ron Burgundy, "Microsuck"?

      I tell you what, you get some bloated POS like Ubuntu or Red Hat to load in a second, then I'll listen to you, deal?
      AllKnowingAllSeeing
      • RE: 1 second Linux boot!

        @AllKnowingAllSeeing

        No need to worry. There is no company called Microsuck that anyone is aware of.
        bobiroc
      • RE: 1 second Linux boot!

        @AllKnowingAllSeeing and @Ron

        Think that's not the point, you cant compare that or challenge Windows to do that ... its not loading a full OS, be it Windows or Red Hat or Linux for that matter ... as bobiroc said to ... its basic compiled to a single function ... what would be interesting to see is Microsoft doing the same on well MS architecture ... to have a valid comparison ... but saying Microsoft can do that thinking of a Windows bootup and saying microsuck is not valid challenge ... just as saying Ubuntu wont either and throwing the challenge between 2 full featured OS is not very valid ... both will fail, of course, Ubuntu don't reach 1 second boot and so Windows don't reach a 1 second boot, its just plain fact.
        antonfh
    • RE: 1 second Linux boot!

      @Ron Burgundy

      Microsuck? Really? You must be 12 years old.

      Let's imagine you meant "Microsoft".

      Checking.... checking... nope... no mention of Microsoft anywhere in the article.

      So, you're a two time loser in one post. Nice work.
      Hallowed are the Ori
      • RE: 1 second Linux boot!

        @Hallowed are the Ori - Look at is moniker what would you expect from "Ron Burgandy"...
        ItsTheBottomLine
    • RE: 1 second Linux boot!

      @Ron Burgundy Let me see Ubuntu, Kubuntu or any desktop kernel and gui boot in < 1 second. Then you have something.
      ItsTheBottomLine
    • RE: 1 second Linux boot!

      @Ron Burgundy Congrats on working the commentards into a lather. :)
      ejhonda
      • ej, what are you looking for in a site like this?

        @ejhonda
        idiotic stuff like wht Ron Burgundy posted, or would it be better to get back to actuall discussions?
        John Zern
    • Any OS would if no swapfile and just one task.

      @Ron Burgundy

      I hear VXWorks does the same if not quicker.

      I can load Windows 7 64 bit in 15 seconds from pushing the on switch from a standing start and it is ready to use 1 second later. It takes 8 seconds to post then the rest to go thru the OS load. Ubuntu 64 is fast on my machine but not as fast as Windows 7 64.

      And just for you we will call it Usucktu.
      osreinstall
      • RE: 1 second Linux boot!

        @osreinstall @osreinstall ... wish I could say the same ...even if I have the same setup... got a i7 with 8gig Ram and came installed with Windows 7... yes it was quick like that, added Office and Netbeans and Nokia PC suite and Sophos and after while ... well lets just say your boot-up is impresive! I get about 45 seconds to the login, then takes about another 40-60 seconds to get a completely loaded Desktop and being responsive. I installed Ubuntu 10.10 later (so can now dual boot to compare), running Squid,MySQL, Netbeans, dnsmasq, Apache on this to now for over a year now... Id like to say I get a 10 second boot (as Ubuntu claims) ..but its more in the region of about 25 seconds to login screen and about 15 seconds to completely loaded Desktop. So for me Windows frustrates me in its bootup time and Ubuntu I find amazing ... and it impresses others on Windows 7 in the office too to see such bootup times. Did you disable some services or not using a virus scanner as I would love to improve the Windows 7 boot ? In the end its what works for you I guess, all this bickering about Windows and Linux I dont always get ... I get frustrated working with Windows 7 (liked XP more) in a mater of a few minutes ... bootup Ubuntu and I find it faster and more productive and customized to my needs (a few mouse shortcuts with compiz etc to maximize development etc) ... BUT thats personal preference
        antonfh
      • Make you machine go on a diet.

        @antonfh

        The trick is to disable all unnecessary processes in the services under administrative tools. Also turn off the bling. For Gods sake it is an OS to run my apps. Also do not run programs in the background so that scratches an AV package. I do run Malwarebytes and malicious tool from MS. I have it down to 21 processes.

        I only have 8gig of ddr3 1600 Corsair and a i5 650 processor on an Intel MB and Intel LAN. Comes out of standby sucking 11 watts to ready to go in 5 seconds sucking 145 watts.

        I do want to build a dual core atom processor with a flash card and use it as a m0n0wall router. Funds are low now.

        The key to go quickly is to terminate unnecessary processes running in the background. You don't need a big engine, just a light car.
        osreinstall
    • RE: 1 second Linux boot!

      @Ron Burgundy If you mean Microsoft, then break out MS-DOS 6.2 and time how long it takes to get a DOS prompt.
      alan_r_cam
  • RE: 1 second Linux boot!

    What's so impressive about that? The show graphics first and then load all the services in the background later. Hardly anything to brag about. But if you feel you must, then talk about how quickly this device will get pwnd since it boots in 1 second, it'll be the fastest device to ever get hacked because its running linux.
    Loverock Davidson
    • RE: 1 second Linux boot!

      @Loverock Davidson
      FUD
      choyongpil
    • RE: 1 second Linux boot!

      @Loverock Davidson Uhm, are you *really* that thick?
      nicholas22
      • RE: 1 second Linux boot!

        @nicholas22

        or maybe he isn't sucked into the Linux hype that pervades the tech blogosphere. As other posters have said, show (k)Ubuntu or Red Hat or some other mainstream USEABLE desktop booting this fast.

        (posted from FF in Kubuntu 10.10--which booted in nwhere near that fast a time).
        DigitalAtheist
    • RE: 1 second Linux boot!

      @Loverock Davidson

      That's exactly why I never bought into Windows' boot time. What good is having a desktop show in 20 seconds when your computer is useless for the next 90 seconds?

      Although if services are still starting on this thing, I'd like to know how they get the camera display up so quickly.
      Michael Kelly
      • RE: 1 second Linux boot!

        @Michael Kelly

        Because it is a single function device from what it looks like. All it has to load is that little interface and initialize the camera. Didn't look like it did much from what I see. Start adding functionality to that device aside from viewing the camera and watch it slow down.
        bobiroc
      • thinking exactly the same thing

        @bobiroc <i>"...Start adding functionality to that device aside from viewing the camera and watch it slow down. "</i><br><br>.. nothing to see here.
        thx-1138_