Changes between Version 2 and Version 3 of Guix vs. Commercial OS Platforms in Air-Gapped Environments

Timestamp:

04/30/25 11:03:52 (3 weeks ago)

Author:

enno

Comment:

--

Guix vs. Commercial OS Platforms in Air-Gapped Environments

@@ -16 +16 @@
 == Security & Supply Chain Control
 
-Guix System:
-You can inspect, audit, and rebuild every component of your system — from the kernel to applications — using cryptographically pinned source inputs.
-The entire dependency graph is traceable and reproducible, even across machines and time.
-Perfectly suited for classified or national security work, where vendor trust cannot be assumed.
-RHEL / Windows:
-You receive pre-built binaries signed by the vendor.
-You often trust opaque CI/CD systems outside your control.
-Reproducing or auditing software at a fine-grained level is non-trivial or impossible.
+=== Guix System:
+
+* You can inspect, audit, and rebuild every component of your system — from the kernel to applications — using cryptographically pinned source inputs.
+
+* The entire dependency graph is traceable and reproducible, even across machines and time.
+
+* Perfectly suited for classified or national security work, where vendor trust cannot be assumed.
+
+=== RHEL / Windows:
+
+* You receive pre-built binaries signed by the vendor.
+
+* You often trust opaque CI/CD systems outside your control.
+
+* Reproducing or auditing software at a fine-grained level is non-trivial or impossible.
 
 == Tooling and Maintenance
 
-Guix:
-You define everything declaratively — no surprises at runtime.
-You can script, version-control, and diff system changes like source code.
-Integration with CI/CD is powerful but requires Scheme fluency and a Unix mindset.
-RHEL / Windows:
-You use vendor tools (e.g., Satellite, WSUS, SCCM) to manage updates and installations.
-Configuration drift is common without complex tools like Ansible, Puppet, or GPO.
-More user-friendly, but less introspectable.
+=== Guix System:
+
+* You define everything declaratively — no surprises at runtime.
+
+* You can script, version-control, and diff system changes like source code.
+
+* Integration with CI/CD is powerful but requires Scheme fluency and a Unix mindset.
+
+=== RHEL / Windows:
+
+* You use vendor tools (e.g., Satellite, WSUS, SCCM) to manage updates and installations.
+
+* Configuration drift is common without complex tools like Ansible, Puppet, or GPO.
+
+* More user-friendly, but less introspectable.
 
 == Air-Gap Suitability
 
-Guix:
-Designed for air-gapped reproducibility.
-You can export all sources via guix archive or guix pack.
-Build servers can remain offline and secure.
+=== Guix System:
 
-Commercial Systems:
-Air-gap support is not native.
-Requires additional tooling for mirroring updates, verifying patches, and avoiding telemetry.
-Licensing and activation can be problematic offline.
+* Designed for air-gapped reproducibility.
+* You can export all sources via guix archive or guix pack.
+* Build servers can remain offline and secure.
+
+=== Commercial Systems:
+
+* Air-gap support is not native.
+
+* Requires additional tooling for mirroring updates, verifying patches, and avoiding telemetry.
+
+* Licensing and activation can be problematic offline.
 
 == Risk Mitigation in Classified Contexts
 
-Risk    Guix Mitigation RHEL/Windows Mitigation
-Supply chain tampering  Build everything from trusted source    Trust vendor signatures and processes
-Configuration drift     Fully declarative system + rollbacks    Ansible, Puppet, GPO
-Covert binaries / blobs Avoided by default (FOSS only)  Often required for hardware drivers, tools
-Forced updates / phones-home    None unless added by user       Needs group policy / firewall control
+|| Risk || Guix Mitigation || RHEL/Windows Mitigation ||
+|| Supply chain tampering || Build everything from trusted source || Trust vendor signatures and processes ||
+|| Configuration drift || Fully declarative system + rollbacks || Ansible, Puppet, GPO ||
+|| Covert binaries / blobs || Avoided by default (FOSS only) || Often required for hardware drivers, tools ||
+|| Forced updates / phones-home || None unless added by user || Needs group policy / firewall control ||
 
 == When to Use What?
@@ -60 +78 @@
 Choose Guix if:
 * You need maximum transparency and reproducibility.
-* You operate in a high-assurance, national security, or research environment.
+* You operate in a high-assurance, '''national security''', or research environment.
 * You can tolerate a steeper learning curve and limited vendor support.