Aros Host a new hope.

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**Subject: Project Proposal for Modifying the AROS ARM Operating System**

Dear AROS Developers,

I hope this message finds you well. My name is German, and I am an enthusiast of the AROS operating system, as well as an avid admirer of the work you have all done to maintain and improve this incredible open-source project.

I am writing to you to present a project idea that I have been developing and believe could bring significant value to the AROS community. My proposal is to create a version of AROS ARM that runs on QEMU, on a very lightweight ARM Linux running in the background. The goal is to compete with Batocera or, more precisely, to create something similar to Batocera but more focused on users seeking a retro experience on a modern, natively running system.

**Advantages and Context:**
Currently, AROS ARM is somewhat less advanced than AROS x86, but it presents a unique opportunity. AROS is an AmigaOS system for retro enthusiasts, based on the iconic AmigaOS, which is gaining popularity in the retro software community. Devices like Raspberry Pi, Hardkernel, and OranjePi are releasing attractive hardware for emulation. Amiberry, a fork of WinUAE, works very well on ARM, and A600GS has developed a Linux system that launches AROS m68k in an emulator within an ARM device.

**Project Objectives:**
1. **Improved Usability:** Create an AROS ARM distribution that runs on QEMU on a lightweight ARM Linux, providing a more attractive and accessible user experience.
2. **Compatibility and Performance:** Leverage the ARM architecture to offer a native and optimized operating system capable of competing with solutions like Batocera.
3. **Innovation and Flexibility:** Enable the execution of both AROS and Linux applications and emulators, creating a hybrid and versatile environment.

**Work Plan:**
1. **Research Phase:** Analyze configurations and architectural designs that allow memory sharing between Linux and AROS, and explore how QEMU can facilitate this integration.
2. **Development:** Implement a host-run to use Amiberry from AROS ARM, allowing the launch of m68k software. Configure QEMU to run scripts and share the clipboard between Linux and AROS.
3. **Testing and Validation:** Test the integration of AROS ARM with emulators like Amiberry and PUAE, and validate the execution of CD32 disks, ISOs, ADFs, DMS, IPFs, WHDLoad, etc., directly in an Amiga emulation instance on Linux.

**Additional Opportunities:**
- **TheA500 Mini:** This ARM device allows launching Linux using a virtual hard drive hosted on a USB, which could be leveraged to install a Linux boot that launches ARM Linux emulators and applications.
- **Official Kickstart Licenses:** These licenses could be used by AROS to launch OS 3.x software.
- **Subsystems of Other OSs:** Draw inspiration from how ChromeOS, Windows 11, Android, and MacOS use subsystems to integrate with Linux, and apply similar concepts in AROS.

I am very excited about the possibility of collaborating with you and receiving your feedback and suggestions. I am convinced that, with your experience and knowledge, we can bring this project to fruition and contribute to the growth and improvement of AROS.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. I look forward to your comments and am available to discuss any aspect of this proposal in greater detail.

Sincerely,

Germán
@GermanCMan Telegram

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Italian

**Oggetto: Proposta di Progetto per la Modifica del Sistema Operativo AROS ARM**

Cari sviluppatori di AROS,

Spero che questo messaggio vi trovi bene. Mi chiamo Germán e sono un appassionato del sistema operativo AROS, oltre che un fervente ammiratore del lavoro che tutti voi avete svolto per mantenere e migliorare questo incredibile progetto open-source.

Vi scrivo per presentare un'idea di progetto che ho sviluppato e che credo possa apportare un valore significativo alla comunità di AROS. La mia proposta è di creare una versione di AROS ARM che funzioni su QEMU, su un Linux ARM molto leggero che gira in background. L'obiettivo è competere con Batocera o, più precisamente, creare qualcosa di simile a Batocera ma più focalizzato sugli utenti che cercano un'esperienza retro su un sistema moderno e nativo.

**Vantaggi e Contesto:**
Attualmente, AROS ARM è un po' meno avanzato rispetto ad AROS x86, ma presenta un'opportunità unica. AROS è un sistema AmigaOS per appassionati del retro, basato sull'iconico AmigaOS, che sta guadagnando popolarità nella comunità del software retro. Dispositivi come Raspberry Pi, Hardkernel e OranjePi stanno rilasciando hardware attraente per l'emulazione. Amiberry, un fork di WinUAE, funziona molto bene su ARM, e A600GS ha sviluppato un sistema Linux che lancia AROS m68k in un emulatore all'interno di un dispositivo ARM.

**Obiettivi del Progetto:**
1. **Miglioramento dell'Usabilità:** Creare una distribuzione AROS ARM che funzioni su QEMU su un Linux ARM leggero, fornendo un'esperienza utente più attraente e accessibile.
2. **Compatibilità e Prestazioni:** Sfruttare l'architettura ARM per offrire un sistema operativo nativo e ottimizzato, capace di competere con soluzioni come Batocera.
3. **Innovazione e Flessibilità:** Consentire l'esecuzione di applicazioni ed emulatori sia di AROS che di Linux, creando un ambiente ibrido e versatile.

**Piano di Lavoro:**
1. **Fase di Ricerca:** Analizzare le configurazioni e i progetti architetturali che consentono la condivisione della memoria tra Linux e AROS, ed esplorare come QEMU possa facilitare questa integrazione.
2. **Sviluppo:** Implementare un host-run per utilizzare Amiberry da AROS ARM, consentendo il lancio di software m68k. Configurare QEMU per eseguire script e condividere gli appunti tra Linux e AROS.
3. **Test e Validazione:** Testare l'integrazione di AROS ARM con emulatori come Amiberry e PUAE, e validare l'esecuzione di dischi CD32, ISO, ADF, DMS, IPF, WHDLoad, ecc., direttamente in un'istanza di emulazione Amiga su Linux.

**Opportunità Aggiuntive:**
- **TheA500 Mini:** Questo dispositivo ARM consente di lanciare Linux utilizzando un disco rigido virtuale ospitato su una USB, che potrebbe essere sfruttato per installare un boot Linux che lancia emulatori e applicazioni Linux ARM.
- **Licenze Ufficiali di Kickstart:** Queste licenze potrebbero essere utilizzate da AROS per lanciare software OS 3.x.
- **Sottosistemi di Altri SO:** Ispirarsi a come ChromeOS, Windows 11, Android e MacOS utilizzano sottosistemi per integrarsi con Linux, e applicare concetti simili in AROS.

Sono molto entusiasta della possibilità di collaborare con voi e ricevere i vostri commenti e suggerimenti. Sono convinto che, con la vostra esperienza e conoscenza, possiamo portare a termine questo progetto e contribuire alla crescita e al miglioramento di AROS.

Vi ringrazio in anticipo per il vostro tempo e considerazione. Resto in attesa dei vostri commenti e sono disponibile per discutere qualsiasi aspetto di questa proposta in maggior dettaglio.

Cordiali saluti,

Germán
@GermanCMan Telegram

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Español

**Asunto: Propuesta de Proyecto para la Modificación del Sistema Operativo AROS ARM**

Estimados desarrolladores de AROS,

Espero que este mensaje les encuentre bien. Mi nombre es Germán y soy un entusiasta del sistema operativo AROS, así como un ferviente admirador del trabajo que todos ustedes han realizado para mantener y mejorar este increíble proyecto open-source.

Me dirijo a ustedes para presentar una idea de proyecto que he estado desarrollando y que creo podría aportar un valor significativo a la comunidad de AROS. Mi propuesta consiste en crear una versión de AROS ARM que se ejecute sobre QEMU, en un Linux ARM muy ligero que se ejecute en el fondo. El objetivo es competir con Batocera o, más bien dicho, crear algo parecido a Batocera pero más enfocado al usuario que busca una experiencia retro en un sistema moderno y de ejecución nativa.

**Ventajas y Contexto:**
Actualmente, AROS ARM está algo menos avanzado que AROS x86, pero presenta una oportunidad única. AROS es un sistema AmigaOS para entusiastas del retro, basado en el icónico AmigaOS, que está ganando popularidad en la comunidad del software retro. Dispositivos como Raspberry Pi, Hardkernel y OranjePi están lanzando hardware atractivo para la emulación. Amiberry, un fork de WinUAE, funciona muy bien en ARM, y A600GS ha desarrollado un sistema Linux que lanza AROS m68k en un emulador dentro de un dispositivo ARM.

**Objetivos del Proyecto:**
1. **Mejora de la Usabilidad:** Crear una distribución AROS ARM que se ejecute sobre QEMU en un Linux ARM ligero, proporcionando una experiencia de usuario más atractiva y accesible.
2. **Compatibilidad y Rendimiento:** Aprovechar la arquitectura ARM para ofrecer un sistema operativo nativo y optimizado, capaz de competir con soluciones como Batocera.
3. **Innovación y Flexibilidad:** Permitir la ejecución de aplicaciones y emuladores tanto de AROS como de Linux, creando un entorno híbrido y versátil.

**Plan de Trabajo:**
1. **Fase de Investigación:** Analizar las configuraciones y diseños de arquitectura que permitan compartir memoria entre Linux y AROS, y explorar cómo QEMU puede facilitar esta integración.
2. **Desarrollo:** Implementar un host-run para usar Amiberry desde AROS ARM, permitiendo lanzar software m68k. Configurar QEMU para ejecutar scripts y compartir portapapeles entre Linux y AROS.
3. **Pruebas y Validación:** Probar la integración de AROS ARM con emuladores como Amiberry y PUAE, y validar la ejecución de discos CD32, ISOs, ADFs, DMS, IPFs, WHDLoad, etc., directamente en una instancia de emulación Amiga en Linux.

**Oportunidades Adicionales:**
- **TheA500 Mini:** Este dispositivo ARM permite lanzar Linux usando un disco duro virtual alojado en un USB, lo que podría ser aprovechado para instalar un arranque Linux que lance emuladores y aplicaciones de Linux ARM.
- **Licencias Oficiales de Kickstart:** Estas licencias podrían ser usadas por AROS para lanzar software OS 3.x.
- **Subistemas de Otros SOs:** Inspirarse en cómo ChromeOS, Windows 11, Android y MacOS usan subsistemas para integrarse con Linux, y aplicar conceptos similares en AROS.

Estoy muy entusiasmado con la posibilidad de colaborar con ustedes y recibir sus comentarios y sugerencias. Estoy convencido de que, con su experiencia y conocimientos, podemos llevar este proyecto a buen puerto y contribuir al crecimiento y mejora de AROS.

Agradezco de antemano su tiempo y consideración. Quedo a la espera de sus comentarios y estoy disponible para discutir cualquier aspecto de esta propuesta en mayor detalle.

Atentamente,

Germán
@GermanCMan Telegram

The Host-Run I am referring to is not the same as the one that allows m68k to request Amiberry to launch Linux applications, which is also useful for sending data from AROS m68k to AROS ARM.

I am talking about a Host-Run that uses QEMU with KVM to run AROS ARM/x86 and communicate with Linux, thanks to a QEMU configuration that allows creating prepared environments and shared memory for this purpose.

If anyone is interested in helping me create an ARM Linux so that QEMU can load AROS and carry out the project, I would appreciate it. Initially, we will prepare it to work on ARM devices like Raspberry Pi, etc., and on TheA500 Mini, until we can communicate with someone from A600GS to see how we could create a USB boot for this device.

Hello German,

First of all welcome to AROS community.

I'm not so much knowledgable about emulation scene and ARM devices, hence I have a clarification question:

Do you mean an ARM Linux running QEMU x86 to run AROS x86 to communicate with ARM Linux and m68k emulator?

Additionally, are you aware that there is AROS Linux ARM hosted? An ARM AROS build that runs directly under ARM linux - without need of any virtualization software.

Hello, Thank you very much for the welcome, the response and everything you are doing. You are all great.

No... you have not understood me and I do know that we can host Aros in a host system...

I mean not loading linux desktop but only loading Qemu with KVM and the necessary resources required by Aros ARM.

With this we avoid loading Linux and having two desktops, having Aros ARM as the main Desktop, loading natively and being able to use Amiberry as an Emulator to launch applications and requirements of Aros m68k.

This adds several values:
1. Amiga Experience (Aros)
2. Support for more hardware (thanks to Qemu)
3. Host-Run from Aros ARM to Linux and from Aros m68k (on Amiberry) to Aros ARM...

I have been able to confuse by naming Aros x86, because the same can also be done for x86.

I also know about the possibility of loading Aros x86 in the Linux bootstrap but what is really interesting is to put Qemu in the middle.

Qemu allows to create an ideal hardware profile for the machine where it runs and bridges to the virtualized system. When running Aros ARM in Qemu with KVM nothing is being emulated, it is simply used as an intermediate Kernel that prepares the hardware for Aros to work as well as possible and we can add improvements such as bridges to communicate host-Run style with the Linux system that will be waiting for scripts to execute applications or carry out actions required from Aros ARM or from Aros x86 if it is done on x86 hardware.

Why?
Because right now we have Pandory500 that performs a USB boot of a Linux to launch Retroarch inside Amini.
This gave me the idea to launch Qemu to run native ARM rings on The A500 mini. It also allows you to take advantage of Linux resources.
Ideally, you should keep your Linux desktop hidden and use the Aros ARM desktop.

In Aros ARM or Aros x86 we can have icons and commands ready to perform actions such as launching an application in windowed mode or a full screen Amiga 68k RTG game and putting the Qemu task to Rest until Amiberry closes with the RTG game, we can also launch some retro emulation frontend such as Retroarch, EmulationStation or simply run Linux emulators from Aros to load Roms from icons or from Directory Opus

And why not for Raspberry?

Yes, it is also possible but I want to point out that platforms such as Amini and A600gs are coming out that are ARM machines and it is interesting that they can have a native BOOT Aros ARM to create more community quickly.

Raspberry has a lot of community and countless distributions... Amiberry takes over the Amiga experience and Aros is not known to many Amiga users on Raspberry. Least of all for those who do not know Amiga.

Thanks to this concept Aros Host is quick to bring to reality and position itself as an operating system for the Retro Emulation or Retro experience of AmigaOS, native to ARM and x86 systems as well.

I think A600gs and Amini are lenses that are in focus at the moment and Aros ARM needs something like that.

And why not for Raspberry?

Of course! and for Hardkernel, OrangePi, etc... This can be easily ported to any ARM sbc that loads linux, thanks to Qemu KVM we can bring the best of both systems to any ARM device, including Android TVs.

There is Batocera Linux, surely everyone already knows it well...
This linux does something similar to what I mentioned.
It loads a kiosk system to launch games and in the kiosk or Frontend what it actually does is manage EmulationStation to intervene between several emulators and launch Retro games using the controllers and system resources with the least Linux load possible.

When using Qemu with KVM, we would talk about Aros as a Kiosk system, offering a native AmigaOS desktop with the ability to browse the Web, perform native functions and launch 68k games using Amiberry, Retroarch PUAE and any system that we can emulate from Linux or from Aros if we have a direct port...

This, in addition to being "simple", is "fast" and will reach everyone immediately as Pandory500 has done. All Amini users already have a USB with Pandory500 and AGS. Why not have Aros ARM with AGS thanks to the Pandory 500 boot to launch linux?

And let's not forget that precisely at Amini we have official kickstart licenses... That is to say that we could talk about using them from Aros or from Amiberry to close the desired functionality

Thanks for clarification, now I undestard the approach you want to take.

I asked about hosted AROS, because around 2015 there was an effort to do something similar to what you described. It was hosted AROS that booted directly on linux kernel (without any linux desktop environment), so instead the three layers (linux kernel + QEMU + AROS) it only had two (linux kernel + AROS).

If you are interested, the source codes are still online:

https://github.co...runk-arix/

Now, for your project if you have any questions about AROS development, let us know. Also there is a discord channel #aros on AmigaDev discord where you can ask questions on AROS internals.

Thank you very much for the information.
I'm not a programmer and I don't get along with Linux, he never understands what I'm asking of him...

This is the end of the idea of loading Aros ARM into Qemu KVM to be able to use it on Amini A600 or RaspBerry

I went to the link and entered In Arix Arch, there is nothing documented or at least I don't see it. I don't understand the Github website, the documentation is not visible or I miss something.

I'll ask Chatgpt to see if it can guide me, I have Odroid Xu4, not RaspBerry. I imagine it will be easier than trying for Amini.

GDroid with QEmu on PC you can emulate AROS x86 ABIv0 which is up-to-date and has a lot of software available !

In the video besides AROS (AROS One) with QEmu I emulated MAC, MOS and OS4

https://youtu.be/...