Sbnb Linux is a minimalist, immutable OS designed to automate the deployment of bare-metal servers for AI workloads. It targets engineers and researchers needing rapid setup of GPUs for tools like vLLM and SGLang, offering enhanced resilience, secure remote access, and confidential computing capabilities for distributed or untrusted environments.

How It Works

Built with Buildroot, Sbnb Linux is a Unified Kernel Image (UKI) that boots from USB or network and runs entirely in memory. This immutable, read-only design, combined with pre-installed Tailscale for remote access and Docker for containerization, simplifies server management. Key advantages include resilience against power outages, tamper resistance, and support for confidential computing via AMD SEV-SNP, enabling secure AI operations even in untrusted locations.

Quick Start & Requirements

• Install: Boot from a prepared USB flash drive using provided Windows, macOS, or Linux scripts, or via an iPXE server for automated fleet deployment.
• Prerequisites: x86 bare-metal server; USB drive or iPXE server. Optional: AMD EPYC Gen 3+ CPU with SEV-SNP enabled for Confidential Computing.
• Setup Time: Boot process takes 5-10 minutes.
• Docs: Installation (README-INSTALL.md), NVIDIA (README-NVIDIA.md), vLLM (README-VLLM.md), SGLang (README-SGLANG.md), Confidential Computing (README-CC.md).

Highlighted Details

• AI Workload Focus: Streamlined setup for vLLM, SGLang, RAG, Agents, and specific models like Qwen2.5-VL.
• Confidential Computing: Leverages AMD SEV-SNP for secure, attested VM execution.
• High Resilience: In-memory operation, immutable design, and A/B updates with automatic rollback ensure system stability.
• Buildroot Customization: Uses br2-external for maintainable, rolling updates.
• Minimal Footprint: ~200MB UKI image.

Maintenance & Community

The project emphasizes a regular update cadence and firmware updates. No specific community channels (Discord, Slack) or contributor details are listed in the provided README.

Licensing & Compatibility

The specific license for Sbnb Linux is not detailed in the README. Buildroot, its build system, is typically GPL. Compatibility for commercial use or linking with closed-source projects is not specified.

Limitations & Caveats

Confidential Computing support is currently limited to AMD SEV-SNP. The in-memory, ephemeral nature of the OS means power cycling resets the system state, requiring automation for container re-deployment. Support for non-x86 architectures is not mentioned.