I don't know why but I never looked at the illumos based operating systems. I think I will change that and try out either OpenIndiana or SmartOS and compare them with Linux and BSD.
Areas I want to compare:
- Availability of software
- Simplicity of system management
- General system usage
- Security and Storage features
Are there any illumos users or admins out there with an idea on which things I should try out?
My friends, I'm so excited and happy to introduce a new project: the illumos Cafe!
The positive and constructive spirit of the BSD Cafe, created and maintained by all the friends who participated from day one in building a strong and friendly community, deserves to spread to other operating systems. Because there are other OSes that deserve attention, certainly more than they're getting right now.
Operating systems based on illumos (like SmartOS, OmniOS, Tribblix, OpenIndiana, etc.) are mature, stable, secure, and perfectly usable for a wide range of tasks. ZFS is native, zones are an excellent method for containerization, and bhyve and kvm coexist beautifully - and so much more, too much to list in a single post.
So from today, the illumos Cafe will stand alongside the BSD Cafe in creating a positive, respectful, and growth-oriented (but also relaxing!) environment, starting right here in the Fediverse with a Mastodon instance and a snac one.
I've written an introductory article about the project, including some technical details. I invite everyone interested to read it: https://it-notes.dragas.net/2025/08/18/introducing-the-illumos-cafe/
Choose your table, take a seat and enjoy your time at the illumos Cafe!
I think it's time to write an #introduction for this account as well!
I'm Stefano Marinelli, Barista of the illumos Cafe and the BSD Cafe. I'm a technology and open source enthusiast, a strong advocate for #OwnYourData, and against computer monoculture, even when it comes to open source solutions.
I've been active in the #Fediverse for years and am a firm believer in it. I decided to found this Cafe to bring the positive spirit of the BSD Cafe to curious and passionate users of #illumos based operating systems (#OmniOS, #SmartOS, #Tribblix, #OpenIndiana, etc.).
I'll mainly use this account for content related to this instance and illumos-based operating systems, while my account at the BSD Cafe - @stefano@bsd.cafe - remains my primary one.
For more information about the illumos Cafe, you can read the introductory post here: https://it-notes.dragas.net/2025/08/18/introducing-the-illumos-cafe/
Ceci n'est pas Linux.
I've never hidden my admiration for #illumos-based systems. I have a few setups based on #OmniOS and #SmartOS, and they're solid as a rock. I like them both: OmniOS is more "malleable", while SmartOS is more of a hypervisor like #xcp-ng or #xen - meaning you install it on the host and delegate everything else to the zones.
I also love #FreeBSD jails, but zones sometimes cover use cases that jails can't (and vice versa). For example, imposing RAM limits in jails works, but it effectively "denies more ram" to a process when it requests more memory. The end user doesn't see this directly. On illumos, the user sees everything. I have some `lx` zones with Debian and Virtualmin, and users have never noticed that they aren't really on #Linux. A free or top will show only the assigned RAM.
And that's one of the biggest problems with open-source operating systems: they all have something good, and I always feel the urge to use them all! 
Doing something crazy before going out - and it works. It involves SmartOS and Linux zones - more about this later.
36 degrees outside, 31 inside.
As a Barista at BSD Cafe, I'm also an admirer of tea – a metaphor for my appreciation of the good features of other operating systems. And the fact that I like and support BSDs doesn't mean I don't appreciate those other solutions.
For example, #SmartOS, #OmniOS, and #Tribblix are superb examples of well-crafted operating systems.
Similarly, #Linux - #openSUSE Tumbleweed-based desktops give me a lot of satisfaction every day.
The foundation of my passion for Open Source also stems from the ability to study, explore, and choose without constraints or restrictions. It's that sense of freedom that drives me to appreciate the good in every solution.
If and when I feel caged or forced, all of that vanishes.
@matthew @stratacast @subnetspider
#OpenIndiana is desktop focussed.
#OmniOS is single-server-or-VM-guest focussed.
#SmartOS is hypervisor-focussed.
All are #illumos distributions. I know SmartOS has paid-support options (though usually we support #Triton Data Center deployments).
Also #illumos distros include dedicated appliance/device user like @oxidecomputer 's Helios or RackTop's BrickStore.
That help?
https://blackdot.be/2023/11/illumos-bhyve-intel-arc/
Best one yet, managed to get USB dev as a ppt dev.
#SmartOS and i did not agree with ppt_aliases or ppt_matches.
#OmniOs and pcieadm utility made it understandable on my level
prtconf -dD is ALOT 
But after i have seen output of pcieadm it makes more sense.
So tomorrow i will try my favorite #tribblix to see if we can get passthrough going
People working on Linux or the BSDs (or illumos based OSes, etc), are you using two monitors? And, if so, what do you use them for?
I'm trying to understand if it makes sense to keep two monitors on my desk
Please boost
Sometimes I search for how to do things I already understand pretty well and I learn new things.
https://blog.brianewell.com/minecraft-on-smartos/
This article explains how to set up a Minecraft Java server with service management.
Things I learned:
- ZFS delegation and snapshots from inside the zone (knew about it, but hadn't done it)
- RBAC permissions for multiple operators who are partial admins
Triton Product Security announcement TPS-2025-002 : Debian 12 LX zone image from 2024-07 has static SSH keys.
https://security.tritondatacenter.com/tps-2025-002/
Potentially affects #triton and #smartos , but easily mitigated.
#illumos ships tip(1) in -gate, so all of its distros ( #SmartOS #OmniOS #OpenIndiana etc.) have it.
How to force a reconfiguration on SmartOS
https://blog.jcea.es/posts/20230729-reconfigure_SmartOS.html
https://datasets.at the community based #smartos #imgapi has been migrated to a new location and updated with the latest images from images.smartos.org. If we should mirror your images let us know
