ELinOS
Embedded Linux Distribution
- Industrial Grade Linux with user-friendly CODEO IDE
- Powerful features to build state-of-the-art embedded solutions
- Strong focus on Security with container support and services
- Time-saving and cost-efficient application development
- Drivers, connectivity stacks, real-time extensions, support for industrial hardware and graphical development environment
- Engineers support with experience in industrial applications
Software Development
Complete toolchain with cross compiler for development on Windows and Linux host systems
Easy Setup
Very convenient and fast to set up embedded Linux distribution
Feature Configurator
Powerful feature-driven configuration with graphical wizards
Library Dependency Resolver
Automated library detection and integration into the target image. No need to manually add shared libraries
Small Memory Footprint
Focus on customer needs, no unnecessary services and drivers, fast boot time
Security Features
Secured target system against external or internal threats, 3rd party software monitoring and package updates
Secure File System
Reduced attacker surface with a super-compact root file system
One-Click Build and Deployment
Scriptable build and deployment on target allow one-click build-and-test scenarios
Long-Term Support
5 years of maintenance and long-term support for +10 years possible
Machine control systems – Deterministic and reliable operation for controlling industrial machinery
Embedded systems – Lightweight, customized Linux builds tailored to specific hardware
Industrial PCs (IPC) – Robust operating systems for harsh environments
Automation / Manufacturing – Continuous operation in production and process control environments
Long-term operation (24/7) – Designed for uninterrupted use over many years
High stability, Security, and long-term support – Enterprise-grade updates, patching, and maintenance
Lightweight Embedded Linux for the Intelligent Edge
Our Embedded Linux ELinOS is the most versatile and convenient to use development platform for the intelligent edge! Developers for embedded applications benefit from a comprehensive toolchain and professional life cycle services. Fast time-to-market via intelligent design makes your project successful and your devices smart.
Setting up an embedded Linux system has never been more straight forward and faster: ELinOS’ Feature Configurator makes it convenient deploying a fully functional feature-rich yet extremely lightweight embedded Linux distribution to a target system.
Smallest Memory Footprint & Fast Boot Time
The ELinOS Library Dependency Resolver automatically detects any library dependencies and includes missing libraries without any manual effort. Instead of integrating all library parts of a package, the Library Dependency Resolver only integrates required libraries.
Combined with the compact root file system and all other efforts to minimize the footprint, ELinOS is the embedded Linux distribution with a very small memory footprint and a fast boot up time.
systemd Integration: Tailored and optimized configuration of the system unit and service files.
Feature Configurator
It takes less than five minutes to have a fully operational embedded Linux system running with every feature you need – but not a single dependency more. Due to its graphical wizards and handling configurations in the GUI, ELinOS is suitable for quick time-to-market of your custom-tailored embedded Linux.
Network support, graphics, etc. - the feature configurator automatically creates the kernel configuration, adds user space applications and their related libraries as well as default configuration files. When you change your mind, the feature configurator removes items and dependencies, always providing a lean system with no overhead.
Development & Debugging
The user application is the unique selling point of the system. Thus having a structured workflow from setting up the project, managing and compiling as well as debugging the code is key. ELinOS offers various tools to support the user to focus on the application. Project creation wizards help setting up the initial project.
The cross compiler allows the user to compile the application on the development machine without switching to the target. Transferring the application on-the-fly without switching the IDE is supported as well. Remote debugging, performance analyzes and tracing complete the workflow.
Operating System Independent
- Almost no dependency to the host operating system due to cross compilation
- Windows and Linux host OS support
- Seamless switch between GUI and command line interface (applies to the whole setup, configuration, build and deployment workflow)
- Independent of target architecture and board
- PikeOS development in the same environment
Embedded Linux Security
The embedded Linux ELinOS Security paradigm is simple but effective: Keep it small. Whenever plenty of services are running and libraries are involved there is much surface to attack. If you spare resources, you also reduce the amount of vectors, thus lowering the chance to be attacked by malware, viruses, worms and other cyber threats.
This is why Debian-based embedded Linux ELinOS comes with its unique approach to choose target features, configurating both, kernel and user space at once.
Optimized LTS Linux Kernel &
Real-Time Linux Support
Enhanced Security and
Hardening Options
Immutable OS
Over-the-Air Update
Support
Graphical User Interfaces:
HTML5 / Wayland / Qt / GTK
Container Support:
Docker & Isolated Applications
wolfSSL:
SSL/TLS Library & OpenSSL
OpenSSH
OpenVPN
Integrated Firewall
Connectivity:
Wi-Fi / Bluetooth / Ethernet
CODEO: Eclipse-based Integrated Development Environment
QEMU-based
HW Emulators
License Scanning Tool
Trusted Platform Module (TPM)
Rust Programming Language
Python Support
Application Debugging
More ELinOS and Linux Topics
Want to know more about the setup process?
In our SYSGO Blog we provide a Step-by-Step Tutorial
ELinOS and the Cyber Resilience Act
With the evolving global Cybersecurity landscape, the EU's new Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) sets a higher standard for digital product Security. SYSGO’s ELinOS, a secure and adaptable Linux-based solution for embedded systems, is designed to help companies achieve CRA compliance with comprehensive Security features and long-term support. Discover how ELinOS can make your products resilient and compliant.
Professional Support
We provide two types of product support: The Standard Support covers the basic questions on the product use (installation, tools usage etc.) via E-Mail. The Premium Support offers more customer-specific help with direct contact to a dedicated support engineer.
Life Cycle Updates
Customers can benefit from ongoing improvements by accessing the SYSGO customer portal, where the latest updates of target binaries, new Board Support Packages, and add-ons are available.
Training & Consulting
We want to make building your target devices as convenient as possible. However, SYSGO’s guided trainings boost the skills of your embedded developer team and maximizes the output – for efficient teams that love to develop for embedded devices.
Industrial-Grade Hard Real-Time Performance
ELinOS is built for systems that must run for decades, not months. For applications requiring high-precision timing without a full RTOS, ELinOS includes optimized PREEMPT_RT patches and real-time enhancements. This provides the determinism needed for soft real-time tasks like Industrial Automation, Robotics, and motion control, all within a standard Linux environment.
Turnkey Compliance with the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA)
ELinOS is architected to meet the legal requirements for digital products in the EU. With built-in Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) generation in SPDX format, automated license scanning, and rigorous CVE monitoring, we provide the documentation and Security artifacts you need to pass audits and keep your product on the market.
The "Best of Both Worlds": Seamless PikeOS Integration
Leverage the perfect Linux distribution designed to run as a high-performance guest on the PikeOS Hypervisor. This powerful synergy allows you to combine the vast ecosystem of Linux (drivers, GUIs, stacks) with the hard real-time and Safety-certified (DAL A, SIL 4, ASIL D) environment of PikeOS on a single SoC, all within an integrated, ITAR-free toolchain.
Minimalist "Security-by-Design" Architecture
Our Industrial-grade Feature Configurator allows you to strip away unnecessary services, leaving only the essential code. This "radical tailoring" significantly reduces your system's attack surface and memory footprint, making it the most secure Linux foundation for intelligent edge devices and industrial gateways.
Defense-in-Depth with Immutable OS & Containers
Protect your system against runtime tampering with an Immutable OS architecture. By separating the read-only base system from containerized user applications (Docker/CRI-O), ELinOS ensures that even a compromised application cannot modify the core operating system, providing a robust layer of protection for Edge gateways and industrial controllers.
Long-Term Maintenance & Professional CVE Management
Industrial projects outlive standard Linux support cycles. SYSGO provides professional long-term support that goes far beyond the community. We take full responsibility for backporting security patches and managing the kernel lifecycle for 15 years or more, ensuring your device remains secure and functional without requiring a costly OS migration mid-lifecycle.
Accelerated Time-to-Market (DevOps-ready)
Skip the complexity of Yocto or Buildroot. With our Eclipse-based CODEO IDE and pre-compiled industrial-grade packages, you can move from an empty board to a fully functional, networked system in minutes. Integrated QEMU emulators allow your software team to start development and CI/CD testing before the first hardware prototype is even delivered.
Supply Chain Transparency & License Safety
Manage legal risks with ease using our integrated License Scanning Tool. ELinOS automatically generates a comprehensive manifest of all open-source components and their respective licenses. This ensures your legal department has full transparency, preventing intellectual property "leaks" and ensuring compliance with complex open-source software licenses.
European Sovereignty & ITAR-Free Market Access
As a 100% European, ITAR-free solution, ELinOS enables the global distribution of your products without the complications of U.S. export controls. This ensures your project remains independent of foreign jurisdiction and simplifies international collaboration in sensitive sectors like Aerospace, Energy, or Medical.
Future-Proof Multi-Language Support (Rust, Python, C++)
Modernize your codebase at your own pace. ELinOS provides first-class support for Rust, enabling memory-safe application development that prevents common bugs like buffer overflows. Combined with Python for rapid logic prototyping and optimized C++ toolchains, you have the flexibility to use the best tool for every task.
Get your Hands on ELinOS
We offer a fully functional, free ELinOS test version that comes with CODEO, allowing you to explore its powerful features, including development, debugging, and hardware emulation.