Bosch Rexroth is expanding 'crtlX OS' with new technical functions and application options. The open, Linux-based operating system is designed to be hardware-independent and runs on devices from the control level to edge systems and the cloud. It uses standardized communication protocols such as OPC UA, MQTT and EtherNet/IP and enables a continuous connection between Operational Technology (OT) and IT.

A virtualized version is new, which allows operation on existing IT infrastructures. Users can deploy ctrlX OS as a virtual machine on servers or in edge environments. This allows resources to be used more efficiently, systems to be managed centrally and software updates to be automated via established IT processes.

"With the virtualization of ctrlX OS, we are breaking down the last silos between machine control and IT," explains Winkler. "We offer seamless consistency. Customers now have complete flexibility to run their applications where it makes the most sense - with hard real-time requirements on the controller, and with non-real-time critical requirements on the edge device or server. This is a decisive step towards the fully networked and software-driven factory."

The three variants for different requirements are:

• Standard version: Ready-to-use system image for x86/64 hardware, immediately usable with direct access to the app store, SDK and community.
• Customized version: Customization at kernel level, e.g. integration of specific hardware drivers, interfaces or security modules.
• Premium version: Extended customization up to branding, adapted user interface and system architecture for OEM integration.

Technical innovations with LTS 3.6:

With the new long-term support version 'ctrlX OS 3.6', Bosch Rexroth is expanding the system functions to include aspects of data management, network diagnostics and system security. For the first time, the release allows the integration of network drives via protocols such as CIFS and NFS. This means that storage locations of other computers or servers can be integrated directly into ctrlX OS and mounted as drives. In addition, a newly developed Partition Manager enables precise management of internal and external storage media, such as USB sticks or SD cards, and offers extended functions for backups and storage monitoring.

At network level, version 3.6 now supports redundancy protocols such as PRP (Parallel Redundancy Protocol) and HSR (High-availability Seamless Redundancy) in order to create highly available networks. In addition, network diagnostics have been expanded: users can now analyze data traffic down to the level of the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and thus identify communication problems more quickly. The update also improves ease of use with a revised user interface, optimized system logs and new debugging and monitoring tools that enable precise error analysis.

Security remains a central development goal. ctrlX OS is designed secure-by-design and secure-by-default, meets the requirements of the IEC 62443-4-2 standard at security level 2 and is TÜV-certified. Encrypted communication, secure boot process, role-based user administration and regular security updates are standard. The operating system is also already prepared for the requirements of the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA).

"With ctrlX OS, Bosch Rexroth is already prepared for the CRA guidelines. By the end of 2027, all products from the world of our ctrlX AUTOMATION modular automation system will be aligned with the criteria. Our customers can therefore rest assured that they are future-proof with our solutions," says Winkler.