:_mod-docs-content-type: ASSEMBLY
[id="architecture-rhcos"]
= {op-system-first}
include::_attributes/common-attributes.adoc[]
:context: architecture-rhcos

toc::[]

[role="_abstract"]
{op-system-first} represents the next generation of single-purpose container operating system technology by providing the quality standards of {op-system-base-full} with automated, remote upgrade features.

{op-system} is supported only as a component of {product-title} {product-version} for all {product-title} machines. {op-system} is the only supported operating system for all node types in {product-title}. {op-system} is deployed in {product-title} {product-version} in two general ways:

* If you install your cluster on infrastructure that the installation program provisions, {op-system} images are downloaded to the target platform during installation. Suitable Ignition config files, which control the {op-system} configuration, are also downloaded and used to deploy the machines.

* If you install your cluster on infrastructure that you manage, you must follow the installation documentation to obtain the {op-system} images, generate Ignition config files, and use the Ignition config files to provision your machines.

include::modules/rhcos-key-features.adoc[leveloffset=+1]

include::modules/rhcos-configured.adoc[leveloffset=+2]

include::modules/rhcos-deployed.adoc[leveloffset=+2]

include::modules/rhcos-about-ignition.adoc[leveloffset=+2]

[role="_additional-resources"]
.Additional resources

* https://cloud-init.io/[cloud-init documentation]
* https://access.redhat.com/documentation/en-us/red_hat_enterprise_linux/7/html-single/installation_guide/index#chap-kickstart-installations[Kickstart installations]

include::modules/ignition-config-viewing.adoc[leveloffset=+1]

include::modules/digging-into-machine-config.adoc[leveloffset=+1]
