Do you remember Proxmox? Proxmox VE is a complete open-source platform for enterprise virtualization. With the built-in web interface you can easily manage VMs and containers, software-defined storage and networking, high-availability clustering, and multiple out-of-the-box tools on a single solution.
Ok, Proxmox is for server and it can serve several operating systems to you. Qubes OS does the same but in a GUI system and for single-user desktop computing.
Qubes OS leverages Xen-based virtualization to allow for the creation and management of isolated virtual machines called qubes, which are also referred to as domains or compartments.
Qubes OS. All together, right now and secured
With a predefined set of one or many isolated applications, for personal or professional projects, to manage the network stack, the firewall, or to fulfill other user-defined purposes. The full-fledged or stripped-down virtual machines which are based on popular operating systems such as Fedora, openSUSE, Ubuntu or Windows. All windows are displayed in a unified desktop environment with different colored window borders so different security levels are easily identifiable.
Qubes OS can also run Windows AppVMs in seamless mode, integrated onto the common Qubes trusted desktop, just like Linux AppVMs! The seamless GUI integration requires dedicated Qubes Windows Support Tools to be installed in the Windows VMs first. The Qubes Windows Tools are proprietary but we distribute the binaries for free with current Qubes OS releases.
This is a piece of good news, maybe will we able to use the Adobe Creative Suite (Windows version) alongside our favorites Linux apps? We need to investigate this, stay tuned!
So, if you want to use a Linux based operating system that can handle secure compartments, run multiple operating systems at the same time and have a secure device handling through isolation of network cards and USB controllers, Qubes OS is a really nice choice.
Let’s give it a try!
References
- Qubes OS | A reasonably secure operating system – https://www.qubes-os.org/
- An introduction to Qubes OS – https://www.qubes-os.org/intro/
- Qubes OS Screenshots – https://www.qubes-os.org/screenshots/