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The platform consists of integrated hardware built around a silicon chip: the Azure Sphere OS (operating system for Azure Sphere), an operating system based on Linux, and the Azure Sphere Security Service, a cloud-based security service. Azure Sphere security was developed based on Microsoft Research's position on the seven required characteristics of highly secure devices.
Azure Sphere OS
The Azure Sphere OS is a custom Linux-based microcontroller operating system created by Microsoft to run on an Azure Sphere-certified chip and to connect to the Azure Sphere Security Service. The Azure Sphere OS provides a platform for Internet of things application development, including both high-level applications and real-time-capable applications. It is the first operating system running a Linux kernel that Microsoft has publicly released and the second Unix-like operating system that the company has developed for external (public) users, the other being Xenix.
Azure Sphere Security Service
The Azure Sphere Security Service, also known as AS3, is a cloud-based service that facilitates maintenance, updates, and control for Azure Sphere-certified chips. The Azure Sphere Security Service establishes a secure connection between devices and the internet or cloud services and ensures secure boot. The primary purpose of contact between an Azure Sphere device and the Azure Sphere Security Service is to authenticate the device identity, ensure the integrity and trust of the system software, and certify that the device is running a trusted code base. The service also provides a secure channel for Microsoft to automatically download and install Azure Sphere OS updates and customer application updates to deployed devices.
Azure Sphere chips and hardware
Azure Sphere-certified chips and hardware support two general implementation categories: greenfield and brownfield. Greenfield implementation involves designing and building new IoT devices with an Azure Sphere-certified chip. Azure Sphere-certified chips are currently produced by MediaTek. In June 2019, NXP announced plans to produce a line of Azure Sphere-certified chips. In October 2019, Qualcomm announced plans to produce the first Azure Sphere-certified chips with cellular capabilities. Brownfield implementation involves the use of an Azure Sphere guardian device to securely connect an existing device to the internet. Azure Sphere guardian modules are currently produced by Avnet.
