# rancher/os

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6,452 stars · 651 forks · Go · Apache-2.0 · archived

## Links

- GitHub: https://github.com/rancher/os
- Homepage: https://rancher.com/docs/os/v1.x/en/
- awesome-repositories: https://awesome-repositories.com/repository/rancher-os.md

## Description

Rancher OS is a cloud-native, container-optimized Linux distribution designed to host and manage containerized workloads with a small host footprint. It functions as a Docker-based operating system that runs core system services and user applications as containers.

The system implements an immutable infrastructure workflow by deploying the entire operating system as a set of read-only images. To prevent configuration drift and ensure a consistent boot state, the primary system partition is mounted as read-only, while persistent settings and user data are stored on a separate writable configuration volume.

The distribution is designed for rapid provisioning across major cloud providers, establishing lightweight hosting foundations for containerized services.

## Tags

### DevOps & Infrastructure

- [Cloud-Native Operating Systems](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/cloud-native-infrastructure/cloud-native-operating-systems.md) — Specialized operating system for deploying pre-built images and hosting environments across cloud providers.
- [Container-Optimized Operating Systems](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/container-hosting/container-optimized-operating-systems.md) — Lightweight Linux distribution designed specifically to host and manage containerized workloads.
- [System Software Container Runs](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/container-orchestration/container-runtimes/runtime-configuration-interfaces/docker-socket-orchestrators/docker-target-configurators/docker-container-deployments/docker-container-execution/repository-built-container-hook-runs/system-software-container-runs.md) — Runs core system components and administrative tools as isolated containers.
- [Cloud Infrastructure Deployment](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/cloud-infrastructure-deployment.md) — Provides pre-built images for rapid deployment to major cloud providers. ([source](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/rancher/os@master/README.md))

### Operating Systems & Systems Programming

- [Containerized Operating Systems](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/containerized-operating-systems.md) — Runs the core operating system and system services as Docker containers to simplify updates.
- [Docker-Based Distributions](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/custom-linux-distributions/linux-distribution-container-execution/docker-based-distributions.md) — Minimal operating system that runs core system services and user applications as Docker containers.
- [Immutable Operating Systems](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/immutable-operating-systems.md) — Implements an immutable infrastructure workflow by deploying the OS as read-only images.
- [Lightweight Container Hosts](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/lightweight-container-hosts.md) — Provides a minimal Linux distribution designed specifically to serve as a lightweight host for containers.
- [Operating System Image Deployments](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/operating-system-image-deployments.md) — Distributes the entire operating system as a pre-baked disk image for rapid provisioning.

### Security & Cryptography

- [Read-Only Filesystem Enforcement](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/security-cryptography/security/policies/host-resource-access/file-system-access-controls/path-access-restrictions/read-only-filesystem-enforcement.md) — Mounts the primary system partition as read-only to prevent configuration drift.

### System Administration & Monitoring

- [Container-Based Init Systems](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/system-administration-monitoring/administrative-operations/linux-system-administration/init-systems/container-init-process/container-based-init-systems.md) — Uses a container engine as the primary init system to manage the operating system lifecycle.

### Data & Databases

- [External Configuration Volumes](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/data-databases/persistent-storage-volumes/docker-volume-persistence/external-configuration-volumes.md) — Stores persistent system settings and user data on a separate writable partition to maintain stateless system images.