No SSH? What is Talos, this Linux Distro for Kubernetes?

The New Stack Podcast

Container-based Linux distributions are gaining traction, especially for edge deployments that demand lightweight and secure operating systems. Talos Linux, developed by Sidero Labs, is purpose-built for Kubernetes with security-first features like a fully immutable file system and disabled SSH access. In a demo, Sidero CTO Andrew Rynhard and Head of Product Justin Garrison explained Talos’s design philosophy, highlighting its minimalism and focus on automation. Inspired by CoreOS, Talos removes traditional tools like systemd and Bash, replacing them with machineD, a custom process manager written in Go.

Talos emphasizes API-driven management rather than SSH, making Kubernetes cluster operations more scalable and consistent. Its design supports cloud, bare metal, Docker, and edge devices like Raspberry Pi. Kernel immutability is reinforced by ephemeral signing keys. Through Sidero's Omni SaaS, Talos nodes connect securely via WireGuard. The operating system handles all certificates and network connectivity internally, streamlining security and deployment. As Garrison notes, Talos delivers a portable API for “big iron, small iron—no matter what.”

Learn more from The New Stack about Sidero Labs:

Is Cluster API Really the Future of Kubernetes Deployment?

Choosing a Linux Distribution

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