urunc 0.4.0 Released!

Dec 9, 2024 3 min read

Nubificus proudly announces the release of urunc 0.4.0, the next-generation unikernel container runtime. This release introduces new features, internal improvements, and expanded documentation, reflecting our commitment to enabling lightweight, secure, and high-performance unikernel adoption in modern containerized environments.

What’s new in urunc 0.4.0?

New Features
  • Docker Support: Seamless integration with Docker for broader compatibility and usability.
  • Seccomp Support in VMMs: Enhanced security through syscall filtering.
  • Block Image Support: Ability to use block images directly within urunc’s container image.
  • Configurable Memory: Dynamically allocate memory based on container specifications.
Documentation Revamp

urunc’s documentation has undergone a significant overhaul, now providing detailed guidance for users & developers. Explore the new documentation.

Enhancements to Internals
  • Network Cleanup: Automated deletion of TC rules and TAP devices when terminating unikernels.
  • Advanced Unikernel Interface: New functions for checking supported features, such as:
    • Init(): Initializes the unikernel structure based on arguments.
    • SupportsBlock(): Verifies block device support.
    • SupportsFS(): Checks compatibility with specific filesystem types.
  • Devmapper Enhancements: Refactored snapshot handling with a new USE_DEVMAPPER_AS_BLOCK environment variable.
  • Static Networking: Enabled NAT and IP forwarding for improved connectivity.
Annotations

Urunc now supports custom annotations to streamline unikernel configurations:

  • com.urunc.unikernel.block: Specifies the block image path within the container.
  • com.urunc.unikernel.blkMntPoint: Defines the mount point for the block image.
  • com.urunc.unikernel.unikernelVersion: Indicates the version of the unikernel.
CI/CD and Building Improvements
  • New actions for unit testing and a restructured CI job workflow.
  • Transition to Github ARC runners for enhanced efficiency.
  • Build system refactor to improve usability and flexibility.
Miscellaneous Updates
  • Support for Unikraft boot on arm64 Firecracker.
  • Refactor of container handling and improvements in path and annotation management.
  • Bug fixes and internal refinements to ensure stability and performance.

Why This Matters

urunc 0.4.0 represents a step forward in making unikernels a practical and efficient choice for modern workloads. By introducing features like Docker support and block image compatibility, it bridges the gap between traditional containers and unikernels, offering a hybrid solution tailored to the needs of today’s developers.

Quote from the Team

“This release is the result of tireless work and collaboration across our team. With urunc 0.4.0, we are giving developers the opportunity to fully leverage the advantages of unikernels without sacrificing usability or compatibility with existing ecosystems”.

Explore urunc 0.4.0 today! Discover the full release details and download urunc 0.4.0 from GitHub.

Stay tuned for our next planned release featuring shared FS support, WASM unikernel support, MirageOS and many more!

About Urunc
Urunc is an open-source unikernel container runtime, designed to unlock the potential of unikernels in cloud-native environments. By combining efficiency, security, and ease of use, Urunc sets a new standard for lightweight container orchestration.
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