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Knoppix 3.3 Update, 3.4 C't Edition Are Out

hkfczrqj writes "Knoppix has two more children. The first, 3.3-2004-02-09, an update with kernel 2.4-24-xfs, KDE 3.1.5, Mozilla 1.6, XFree 3.4. Also, and more important I guess, Knoppix 3.4 c't edition is out (torrent here). It is supposed to have kernel 2.6!" And it does. If you're looking for a way to test your setup with a 2.6 kernel without trashing a current install, this is a good way -- but note that the ct edition Knoppix boots into German (Shift-0 gets you an =, as in "lang=us") and kernel 2.4; you'll need to type "knoppix26" at startup to boot the new kernel. (You may find the excellent forums at knoppix.net helpful, too.) Update: 02/10 01:03 GMT by T : Note that the XFree version is really 4.3, not 3.4.

82 of 269 comments (clear)

  1. DVD edition download? (more current DVD edition? by beh · · Score: 4, Informative


    The download mirrors still have a packages-dvd.txt file listing all the packages of the DVD version. But is this version available for download somewhere (with DVD burners becoming more and more common, I would assume, that this image should appear somewhere as well... ;-)

    Alas - the packages-dvd.txt is pretty old - does that mean, the DVD doesn't get updated any more? (Again - I think it would be a shame - it would be really great to have a really filled up live system that could be used to REALLY show off linux some more... ;-)

  2. XFree 3.4? by whenyouargue · · Score: 4, Funny

    that's quite a step back ;)

    it has 4.3

  3. Great tool by drcagn · · Score: 3, Interesting

    It seems like other distributions have been following in the way of Knoppix... I tried MandrakeMove but Knoppix really blows it away. Can't wait to see what Gentoo's catalyst bootCD maker turns out like... :)

    --
    Scorta futuere amo!
    1. Re:Great tool by MRoharr · · Score: 4, Informative

      from the changelog, take a look at the second to last option

      * V3.3-2004-02-09 (Updates)
      - Kernel 2.4.24-xfs
      - KDE 3.1.5 from Debian/unstable
      - mozilla 1.6 from Debian/unstable
      - fixed Knoppix-Terminalserver problem with new libacl
      - XFree 3.4 from Debian/experimental
      - removed prelink (caused memory leaks under certain conditions)
      - removed for space reasons: kjots, kcoloredit
      - added prism54.org drivers for wireless cards
      - the usual apt-get upgrade

    2. Re:Great tool by Talez · · Score: 4, Funny

      XFree 3.4 from Debian/experimental

      I know Debian is supposed to be behind but thats just plain ridiculous! :D

  4. other 2.6 distros by another+misanthrope · · Score: 5, Informative

    Distrowatch weekly has a list of distros that contain the 2.6 kernel:

    # Fedora Core, development branch (2.6.1)
    # Mandrake Linux 10.0-beta2 (2.6.2rc3)
    # Debian unstable, not the default kernel (2.6.0)
    # Gentoo unstable, not the default kernel (2.6.2)
    # Arch Linux 0.6 (development), not the default kernel (2.6.2)
    # Sorcerer, not the default kernel (2.6.2)
    # Conectiva Linux 10-TP2 (2.6.1)
    # Magic Linux 1.2pre5, a Chinese desktop distribution (2.6.0)
    # Berry Linux 0.36, a Japanese live CD (2.6.2rc3)
    # Bluewall Linux 1.0, a minimalist distribution (2.6.0)
    # JoLinux 1.0, a Slackware-based Brazilian desktop distribution (2.6.0)
    # knoppiXMAME 1.2, a bootable arcade machine emulator (2.6.1)
    # LinuxNetwosix 1.0, a specialist live CD for security operations (2.6.1)
    # Shark Linux 1.06-beta2, a minimalist distribution for AMD-64, in early development (2.6.1)

    1. Re:other 2.6 distros by Al+Al+Cool+J · · Score: 2, Informative
      # Gentoo unstable, not the default kernel (2.6.2)
      This is true for gentoo-sources or vanilla-sources, but mm-sources, which is 2.6 kernel maintainer Andrew Morton's patch, is marked as stable in Gentoo on x86 for 2.6.2-rc1.
  5. You can just.... by twoslice · · Score: 3, Funny

    Shut your pi hole!

    --

    From excellent karma to terible karma with a single +5 funny post...
  6. Re:Knoppix!! by beh · · Score: 5, Informative

    I don't know what kind of problems you've had...

    The only "problem" I've had with Knoppix was, that it didn't figure out, what kind of display resolution my Thinkpad A30P could do (1600x1200)... BUT - just the fact, that Knoppix 3.0 was able to boot off a notebook and recognize most of the hardware - that was something I found pretty impressive. Especially bearing in mind the kind of setup problems a lot of people HAVE with notebooks and their special hardware.

    Also, I recently showed some people at my last job Knoppix 3.2 - and even there it booted off without a hitch on the Dell Latitude notebooks they've had in their offices...

  7. gigabit speed download location for 3.4 here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative
  8. lang=not_us by Deraj+DeZine · · Score: 3, Funny
    Shift-0 gets you an =, as in "lang=us"

    Shouldn't shift and 0 yield a right parenthesis with lang=us? Because of this, I'm guessing that Knoppix actually boots into lang=not_us.

    --
    True story.
    1. Re:lang=not_us by glassesmonkey · · Score: 4, Informative

      If you've ever used the Knoppix ISO then you'd know the en ISO has correct US keyboard and the de ISO has the german keyboard.

      So when you boot this c't version up, you'll see a prompt and when you try and type "knoppix lang=us" you'll need to used the Shift-0

    2. Re:lang=not_us by Verteiron · · Score: 3, Informative

      'lang=us' is what you type at the boot prompt to get US keyboard support in the OS. On the English versions of Knoppix, typing this at the boot prompt isn't a problem. On a German-booting version, typing 'lang=us' could present problems unless you know how to get the = sign.

      --
      End of lesson. You may press the button.
  9. Makes no sense to me. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I thought I knew geek speek, but the line "Knoppix has two more children. The first, 3.3-2004-02-09, an update with kernel 2.4-24-xfs, KDE 3.1.5, Mozilla 1.6, XFree 3.4. Also, and more important I guess, Knoppix 3.4 c't",

    with its oddly placed apostrophes, version numbers with more than one dot, *ix variation, and references to kids and corn even threw ME for a loop!

    1. Re:Makes no sense to me. by berzerke · · Score: 2, Informative

      ...more important I guess, Knoppix 3.4 c't

      Remember that before you get download happy with the c't version, it is a special version that does not have all the regular programs (and stability from what I hear; it's a testing version). It being in German rather than English is not the only difference. 3.4 is going to offically be released at Cebit, which is March 18-24 this year (2004). So we've got about a month to wait for the official release.

  10. Re:Erste poste! by Phillup · · Score: 4, Informative

    Because MandrakeMove freezes durning hardware detection and Knoppix doesn't?

    Mandrake certainly doesn't like something about this setup:

    Dual Xeon
    Intel IHC5R w/ 875P chipset (ASUS PC-DL Deluxe)
    NVidia FX5900
    SATA RAID
    1G RAM

    --

    --Phillip

    Can you say BIRTH TAX
  11. Re:Knoppix!! by vik · · Score: 2, Informative

    Well, I've had a much better hit rate. Usually it is laptops with weird video cips that don;t go, and that can be cured by turning off APM and exotic video as per the Knoppix boot help menu.

    Vik :v)

  12. Re:DVD edition download? (more current DVD editio by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Simple question to the current people moderating this article - how can a QUESTION article be rated 'informative'? Aren't questions more about GETTING information rather than GIVING information? *g*

  13. Upgrade HD-Install? by saberworks · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Anyone know how to upgrade a hard drive install to the latest kernel/features? I'm most concerned about the kernel.

    1. Re:Upgrade HD-Install? by adrianbaugh · · Score: 3, Informative

      For everything except the kernel apt-get update;apt-get dist-upgrade should work fine. For the kernel you can use pre-built packages but you'll be better off to get the source for the version you want, untar it and cd into the source directory, optionally do a make menuconfig to set up all your options, then do make-kpkg binary. Then cd out of the source directory and dpkg -i the kernel-image and kernel-headers packages.

      --
      "'I pass the test,' she said. 'I will diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel.'"
      - JRR Tolkien.
  14. Re:Erste poste! by mosschops · · Score: 4, Informative

    This is great and all, but why would I do this when I have MandrakeMove?

    I found MandrakeMove to be too dumbed down - menu items like "browse the web" for a web browser seemed to be aimed at complete newbies. It also required more input during the boot process, tho maybe that can be skipped if you save configuration.

    Knoppix is definitely a better tool for power users, and still does a great job for new users (it passed the "can my parents use it" test!).

  15. Re:DVD edition download? (more current DVD editio by bfree · · Score: 5, Informative

    The DVD was never really publically distributed. It was created for a german conference last year sometime where it was distributed to attendees. Nobody ever seemed to have the desire and the bandwidth to put it online.

    --

    Never underestimate the dark side of the Source

  16. Is there a CD distro like this for PowerPC? by MichaelCrawford · · Score: 4, Interesting
    I'm interested to try 2.6 out on my PowerPC Macintosh, which I presently run Debian testing on.

    But the Mac is a production machine for me, it would be bad to have something like filesystem corruption happen. It would be great if I could test it with a distro like Knoppix, but I would need it to have all powerpc binaries.

    Is there such a beast?

    --
    Request your free CD of my piano music.
    1. Re:Is there a CD distro like this for PowerPC? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Gentoo has a Linux live-cd for PPC. As far as I know it's the only one.

    2. Re:Is there a CD distro like this for PowerPC? by bfree · · Score: 4, Informative

      Yep, the knoppix men in black privacy edition is a ppc knoppix derivative! You can find a list of mirrors for it here.

      --

      Never underestimate the dark side of the Source

    3. Re:Is there a CD distro like this for PowerPC? by Tyrdium · · Score: 5, Informative

      Try the Gentoo PPC LiveCD. It requires a bit of configuration (e.g. picking what WM you want), but it's not that hard. Grab it from the Gentoo site.

    4. Re:Is there a CD distro like this for PowerPC? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      From the MiB Knoppix site:

      Required computer configuration:
      - PC-Compatible, AMD or Intel x86 family processor

      I don't see anything about PPC.

  17. Re:DVD edition download? (more current DVD editio by calc · · Score: 4, Informative

    It would probably run faster as well since DVD's go up to 16x which is ~ 20MB/s vs CD's 52x at 7.6MB/s.

  18. Re:Erste poste! by Hektor_Troy · · Score: 2, Funny

    There's a conflict between your RAM blocks and your chipset.

    You should either remove your chipset or all of your RAM. ;-)

    --
    We do not live in the 21st century. We live in the 20 second century.
  19. knoppix conviced this windows guy to cross over by cyrax777 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Used to think linux would be a pain in the ass to use then I tried knoppix. I like it alot. realy simple to use. I still need to finish building my linux box thu.

  20. Also (not so new) ... The Knoppix New York Edition by phoxix · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Yep

    On Klaus Knopper's visit to New York City. He made a special edition of the distro just for New York's LUG. You will have to find a link of it on your own (being that it will cost some poor LUGer money for the bandwidth, heh)

    What a man! He really is a nice guy! We sure were thrilled and happy

    Sunny Dubey

  21. Re:Gnome? [A: yup.] by timothy · · Score: 2, Informative

    Gnome is included, 2.4 I believe.

    However, on my own system (not the one I'm typing from :), I run into problems when I try to run Gnome and specify lang=us -- I just get a blank screen. My German should be enough to let me muddle through, though, soon I will see what happens when I specify desktop=gnome without trying to do it in English ...

    timothy

    --
    jrnl: http://tinyurl.com/c2l8yr / foes: http://tinyurl.com/ckjno5
  22. Bahh... by 0x12d3 · · Score: 5, Funny
    (Shift-0 gets you an =, as in "lang=us")


    In my day, we had to write our bootable Linux cd's by hand... with only a hex editor --in German.
  23. Re:Gnome? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    No, Knoppix does not include Gnome.

    There are live-cds with Gnome (GNOPPIX, Morphix Heavy-Gui) but Knoppix doesn't have room for Gnome itself, just certain Gnome libraries and apps.

  24. Re:Gnome? by bfree · · Score: 4, Informative

    The c't edition (the 3.4 version) has apparently removed a lot of software (like Lyx/Latex) so that Gnome (2.4) has returned!

    --

    Never underestimate the dark side of the Source

  25. Re:Knoppix!! by zulux · · Score: 4, Informative

    You can get Knoppix to work just fine with your A30p:

    knoppix screen=1600x1200 xvrefresh=60

    'nunthin like Celestia on a 1600x1200 screen that 15" large - the perceived resolution is awsome.

    --

    Moneyed corporations, non-working 'poor' and criminal prisoners are turning productive citizens into tax-slaves.

  26. Kernel 2.6 by Jondo · · Score: 3, Insightful
    If you're looking for a way to test your setup with a 2.6 kernel without trashing a current install, this is a good way..

    I don't understand how afraid people can be to try out new kernels..

    1. Download the source from kernel.org 2. make menuconfig and set up your kernel (It only takes about 2 minutes if you are on friendly terms with lspci)
    2. make (yes, this is all you need to do for 2.6 kernels)
    3. copy bzImage into /boot, and make install_modules
    4. update-grub

    Reboot, boot your new kernel, and you're done!

    If it doesnt work, its not the end of the world. Look at the output, see where it's failing, and go back and change your config.

    1. Re:Kernel 2.6 by SharpFang · · Score: 5, Informative

      Well...

      1.2 Install updated modutils, binutils etc, which are incompatibile with old ones, so there's no easy way of return.
      2.2 Go back to config and remove any modules that cause compile errors (I don't know about 2.6 but in 2.3 it was a real bane, every second kernel I tried was broken in this or that way. It took YEARS to get Amiga Fast File System fixed.)

      If it doesn't work and i.e. panics on boot-up, go, get some liveCD to boot the system, because you're screwed (No old kernel - new binutils, remember?) and work out slowly what causes the error. May take several hours, sometimes including messing in the sources. Compile, install, reboot, liveCD, repair, compile, reboot... And finally start looking for old binutils to get your old kernel back to work.

      Yeah, installing new kernel is an interesting and often pleasant experience. But that's not a morning coffee type task. It CAN go SERIOUSLY wrong.

      --
      45 5F E1 04 22 CA 29 C4 93 3F 95 05 2B 79 2A B2
    2. Re:Kernel 2.6 by pytheron · · Score: 3, Informative

      1.2 Install updated modutils, binutils etc, which are incompatibile with old ones, so there's no easy way of return

      Building source is your friend here :-

      tar xvf modutils.tar.bz
      cd modutils ./configure --prefix=/opt/modutils-2.6
      make
      make install

      Pretty simple.

      --
      "I am not bound to please thee with my answers" [William Shakespeare]
    3. Re:Kernel 2.6 by crimsun · · Score: 4, Insightful

      module-init-tools plays well with modutils-2.4 just fine. I've been alternating 2.4 and 2.[56] kernels at work for quite some time.

      Simply booting a new binary kernel image has no dependencies on binutils whatsoever.

      And *never* remove your failsafe (eg. current working) kernel - even after your new one works.

    4. Re:Kernel 2.6 by Dave2+Wickham · · Score: 3, Informative

      Don't even have to do that; make moveold will move the old modutils to [filename].old, then you can make install and not have to worry about which modprobe to use - it automatically starts insmod.old etc when it detects a 2.4 module.

  27. Re:English Torrent? [Will take remastering :)] by timothy · · Score: 3, Informative

    The c't version is German centric, of course, because it's a German-language magazine ...

    Some people on the forums at knoppix.net have said they're working on (or at least thinking about) remastering this version, and I bet an English-default version will likely come out of that. So scan those forums, and an English torrent will probably appear in the coming weeks ...

    According to predictions there, based on previous knoppix release cycles, probably a 2.6-based official Knoppix version will come out in March or early April ...

    timothy

    --
    jrnl: http://tinyurl.com/c2l8yr / foes: http://tinyurl.com/ckjno5
  28. Re:Knoppix!! by Ianoo · · Score: 2, Informative

    It might be helpful to the Knoppix (and Kudzu) developers if you could send them the specifications of these machines that "don't work".

  29. Re:Knoppix!! by FreeLinux · · Score: 4, Informative

    Are you sure that you are using a good CD? I have used Knoppix on at least 50 completely different systems, different brands, ages, hardware, peripherals, etc, and have had almost no issues at all. In fact I frequently have to rely on Knoppix to figure out what drivers and settings I need when I am trying to install other distributions.

    Frequently, some distribution or another won't detect a piece of hardware. I simply boot Knoppix, make a note of the drivers and their parameters and then specify them manually when installing the other distribution. Most recently I tried installing SuSE on a Compaq Proliant 3000. SuSE loaded a Compaq NIC driver but it would not activate the card. Knoppix had no problem with the card, or the Compaq Array controller, DLT tape library, or anything else. But, in the case of the NIC card, Knoppix chose an Intel driver instead of the Compaq driver that SuSE had chosen. I configured SuSE to use the same Intel driver and it worked fine from there on.

    Frankly I am most annoyed by the various popular distributions because they each seem to have their own problems detecting hardware yet, Knoppix repeatedly has no such problem. I am constantly asking why the various distributions don't use Knoppix' hardware detection instead. And yes, I've had issues with Slack as well.

  30. Still can't install by aanand · · Score: 2, Funny

    For Christ's sake. It's version 3.3 and I still can't figure out how to install this thing on my computer.

    1. Re:Still can't install by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

      Boot Knoppix.

      From Konsole run knx-hdinstall.
      Answer prompts.
      Done.

    2. Re:Still can't install by Lothsahn · · Score: 2, Informative

      Unless you select Reiserfs from the prompts, then the 2.4.21 kernel won't boot, as Reiserfs isn't compiled into the kernel that comes from Knoppix (it's compiled as a module on the Knoppix 3.3 CD)

      I have to admit I haven't tried the new 3.3 cd yet... hopefully it works.

      --
      -=Lothsahn=-
  31. Torrents for Knoppix 3.3 by hbmartin · · Score: 5, Informative
    --
    Karma: Bizzare (mostly affected by varying internal caffeine levels.)
  32. Re:English Torrent? by SquadBoy · · Score: 3, Informative

    English torrents for 3.3

    http://torrent.unix-ag.uni-kl.de:6969/

    --

    Cypherpunks: Civil Liberty Through Complex Mathematics. Those who live by the sword die by the arrow.
  33. Re:Boot from CD by zulux · · Score: 3, Informative



    If Knoppix won't work - try Slax at http://slax.linux-live.org/

    --

    Moneyed corporations, non-working 'poor' and criminal prisoners are turning productive citizens into tax-slaves.

  34. iswraid by lwells-au · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Does anyone know if either 3.3 or 3.4 c/t have had the iswraid patched against their kernel so one can access raid arrays created by the Intel ICH5-R?

    I would check but their forums are kind of slow right now for some reason ;-)

    LW.

  35. Re:Knoppix and slow CD drives by SharpFang · · Score: 2, Informative

    Have you ran the CD test on that drive?
    I doubt it's matter of speed. More likely newer drives have better error recovery algorithms and can read the CD properly using data redundancy. Your old drive may be less forgiving on tiny scratches, fingerprints etc.

    --
    45 5F E1 04 22 CA 29 C4 93 3F 95 05 2B 79 2A B2
  36. Re:Knoppix and slow CD drives by SharpFang · · Score: 2, Informative

    knoppix toram [other options]
    at boot time.

    --
    45 5F E1 04 22 CA 29 C4 93 3F 95 05 2B 79 2A B2
  37. Apt-get by FreeLinux · · Score: 4, Informative

    It's Debian. Use Apt-get. You can find sources here:

    # Kernel 2.6.0
    http://packages.debian.org/testing/base/ker nel-ima ge-2.6-686

    deb http://www.backports.org/debian stable kernel-image-2.6.0-i386
    deb-src http://www.backports.org/debian stable kernel-image-2.6.0-i386
    deb http://www.backports.org/debian stable kernel-source-2.6.0
    deb-src http://www.backports.org/debian stable kernel-source-2.6.0

    To answer your question directly, I do not believe that upgrade functionality exists in the Knoppix distribution.

  38. Here's your answer: corrupt filesystems by MichaelCrawford · · Score: 4, Interesting
    One reason to be afraid to try out a new kernel is that a bug in any of the kernel code can result in a corrupt filesystem.

    While I'm sure you can see how buggy filesystem code might cause this, perhaps you don't see how this could happen from any code in the kernel at all.

    Well, one way is for a pointer error in, say, a network driver to overwrite some disk data buffers with random garbage. Then the data gets saved to disk.

    I've read of this happening on the linux-kernel list.

    Even journaling filesystems won't help for this. While journals can protect against power loss or crashes, the filesystems do make the assumption that any metadata committed to disk is correct.

    --
    Request your free CD of my piano music.
  39. Re:Erste poste! by AKnightCowboy · · Score: 3, Insightful
    SATA RAID

    Probably the Serial ATA isn't supported. You'll need to downgrade to MFM drives for 100% Linux compatibility.

  40. SUSE as well by jmt(tm) · · Score: 3, Informative

    SUSE 9.0 can also be used with 2.6. It is packaged on the install media, but not the default, and you have to install the rpm from the CLI. Everybody who wants to use it should be able to figure out how to do that;-)

    1. Re:SUSE as well by dremspider · · Score: 2, Funny

      What is this CLI you speak of? I am interested, I am a proud owner of SUSE 9.0. I currently use apt-get for most of my updates, including kde 3.2 which rocks, get it, it is so much faster. Anyway.. I did some preliminary googling and came up with nothing so a link, anything would be appreciated.

  41. What About.... by DanthemaninVA1 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    What about a distro that makes dual booting with Windows easy, for those of us who like what we see on the live cds but like to play games, or aren't quite willing to switch over completely for some other reason?

    1. Re:What About.... by NEOtaku17 · · Score: 2, Informative

      SuSE is incedibly easy to use as a dual boot with windows. Pop in the WinXP cd and boot from it. Reformat your HD(warning this will erase all your data on the drive) and partition how much of the drive you want to be accessed by Windows and then install windows on that partition. Leave the rest of the HD unpartitioned. Then boot from the first SuSE install disk. From there it will hold your hand through the whole dual boot process where you will: 1.Choose your boot loader(lilo or grub) 2.Partition the rest of your HD for use with Linux. 3.Install SuSE on the Linux partition. After it's pretty little setup process when you boot up the computer it will greet you with a very clean and easy to navigate(press the up and down arrows) menu of what operating system you want to boot, and after you select what you want and hit enter it will promptly load the OS of choice.

  42. The lineup is nearly complete... by darnok · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This looks nice. I'll download it when the heat dies down a bit.

    Now we've got the following live CDs:
    - Knoppix; perfect geek distro, just about every geek tool in one place. The Swiss Army knife distro
    - Mepis; excellent end-user distro, exactly the Linux distro for mum and dad
    - Morphix; customisable distro, put whatever you want on it

    IMHO, the missing one is the "live server" CD. You boot from this and you get Linux servers, not workstation tools. It should have the following features:
    - stable/testing versions of all common servers (e.g. Apache, Postgres, MySQL, Zope, iptables, sshd, Postfix, courier-pop, Samba, ...)
    - support for all the server-class hardware out there (e.g. RAID cards, SCSI/SATA discs, etc.)
    - when booted from CD, all servers are enabled but discs aren't mounted by default. You can have a play around with it, but you have to go out of your way to hurt yourself
    - when booted from disc, all servers are disabled but all discs are mounted. Login for the first time as root and you get asked "Which of the following services would you like to enable?"...
    - best-of-class GUI config tools for the servers for both Windows and Linux. Once you've installed the server, you then use the tools on the CD on a workstation to configure it
    - tools to migrate existing data from proprietary solutions (e.g. email and mailing lists from MS Exchange, ). These could run on client workstations rather than on the server, if required; obviously they wouldn't automate the migration, but anything that could reduce the workload would be worth considering
    - support for reading/writing configurations to USB key. Installs can run unattended using configs stored on the USB key. This would allow you to install fleets of identical servers (e.g. Web farm) quickly

    I'm sure there's other requirements you could come up with, but this would let you quickly put an entire data centre together. MS in particular would find it hard to compete with this.

    1. Re:The lineup is nearly complete... by jasontheking · · Score: 2, Informative

      >IMHO, the missing one is the "live server" CD. You boot from this and you get Linux servers, not workstation tools.

      I'm doing this right now. I'm basing it off knoppix , just because that's what I've done before. Its a pain in certain areas, because /etc is read only , and stuff like ifup wants the /etc/network directory to be read-write. So I had no choice but to make a tmpfs filesystem , copy the /etc/files onto it , and use "mount --bind /newetcdir /etc" to trick knoppix into using it. (thanks to the guys on #knoppix for recommending this)

      Unfortunately /etc/network isn't being handled properly by mount --bind, and I won't have a choice but to get someone to run a script to copy the files in the right place , and ifup eth0, so I can dhcp3-server. (/var isn't read/write either , so I had to make a leases file /etc/leases , and add "-lf /etc/leases" to /etc/init.d/dhcp3-server)

      Apache runs fine, so pointing DocumentRoot to a place on the CD means you can load up local copies of web pages (even if they have flash animations - I've got the flash plugin installed so konq/mozilla can find it)

    2. Re:The lineup is nearly complete... by MyHair · · Score: 2, Informative

      KNOPPIX already has sshd, Apache, ftpd, tfptd, nfsd and dhcpd at the very least. Sure, they don't fire up automatically at boot, but I suspect that's for the reasons osmethnee mentions above.

      The KNOPPIX terminal server feature fires up dhcpd, tftpd and nfsd with a setup wizard, although it's set up for remote booting KNOPPIX.

      To fire up the others, use the Debian-style init scripts like /etc/init.d/sshd start. But with sshd and some of the others you have to delete /etc/hosts.allow and/or /etc/hosts.deny and possibly restart inetd (/etc/init.d/inetd restart).

      Since KNOPPIX already has the dhcp server working, I wonder what they're doing differently than you. I notice that you can delete (and presumably create) symlinks in /etc, so instead of mounting /etc perhaps you can symlink your config files from /ramdisk/foo.

      I believe you can make your own init script that would automate the symlink operations and file copies and daemon startups for you without remastering KNOPPIX. I've seen it referenced in KNOPPIX forums somewhere.

    3. Re:The lineup is nearly complete... by darnok · · Score: 2, Interesting

      You're right that configuring servers is achievable from Knoppix; it's just that you wind up with a machine full of unwanted stuff (e.g. OpenOffice, Mozilla, etc.) that you don't want lying around on a server.

      You need some sort of script to remove that stuff, but there's (from memory) about 1000 packages that get written to disc when you install Knoppix from a CD, and it seems a bit silly to install that many then delete 90% of them. The risks of screwing up somewhere would be too high.

      Responding to my own earlier suggestion, maybe a better overall approach would be to install an absolute bare-bones system via a "Knoppix server" CD, then have scripts on that CD to add a whole bunch of server packages from that same CD. You'd want both a GUI and a "scriptable via USB key" way of selecting which packages to install, followed by "Do you wish to download and install security updates?" at the very end of the process.

    4. Re:The lineup is nearly complete... by MyHair · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Okay, I think I see what you're saying now: You want a Live CD that can run Apache, db's, Samba, etc. and also be able to install them permanently, and it will all be wizard/q&a based (with scrpting option) rather than all-ports-open by default.

      The first time I read your post I went into security paranoia mode thinking about a Debian/testing flavor of KNOPPIX with all services running on startup. I also couldn't figure out why someone would really need a LiveCD server daemon.

      But your idea is a tool for someone who wants a turnkey web server, for example. That could be very useful. Turnkey DHCP server, turnkey Samba server, turnkey proxy server, turnkey caching DNS server, turnkey NAT (okay, CoyoteLinux has that covered), turnkey LDAP address server...I'm starting to think of places these things could be useful both as LiveCD ad-hoc temporary configurations and as 'permanently' installed configurations.

      I'm interested now. I think I might know enough to be able to figure out how to put something like that together. I'll just need someone who can create the cool distro graphics :-) .

  43. Re:Knoppix!! by forlornhope · · Score: 5, Interesting

    From what I hear, debian is going to begin merging a lot of knoppix into debian-installer once they get it to the point that it works and will install the distribution on most machines.

    And for those wondering why debian just doesnt switch to using knoppix as the installer instead of d-i? The main problem with debian is that they thankfully have chosen to support 11 different archs. That means that they need an installer that will install on all those archs and that is a pretty hard task. Also they support installs over a serial port, tftp, cdroms, and bacically anything that the computer will boot off of and load a kernel. That is definately a good thing when your trying to get debian installed on a machine several hundred miles away from you.

    --
    "We Don't Need No Truthless Heros!" - Project 86
  44. You sound like a volunteer by Gothmolly · · Score: 2, Funny

    Oh wait, you'd rather just whine from the sidelines! I see, well, enjoy Longhorn when it comes out!

    --
    I want to delete my account but Slashdot doesn't allow it.
    1. Re:You sound like a volunteer by darnok · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Not true. There's more than one way to contribute.

      I'm happy to pay for these distros unless/until I've got time to contribute to their creation. Provided my parents like it, Mepis will be getting some funds from me after I install it for them this weekend to replace their continually broken Windows system. A few dollars out of my pocket is well worth it to give them a system that works for more than a few weeks without encountering new problems.

      I'll also happily test these distros on server-class systems and give feedback as appropriate, from the background of someone who's been working in the industry for >20 years and who knows how corporate IT systems need to work.

      I'd be *much* happier learning how to build one of these distros myself, but there isn't enough time in the day to do so at present. Funny how having kids will do that to you.

  45. The trouble with a live server CD... by osmethnee · · Score: 2, Insightful

    The trouble with a live server CD is that sooner or later one of those services is going to have a remote exploit (and if you're shipping with everything enabled, the chance of this is significantly increased.) And once an exploit is available, you're only a hop, skip, and a jump away from anyone who tests the CD having the contents of their hard drive trashed (or worse.)

  46. Re:gigabit speed download location for 3.4 here by graf0z · · Score: 3, Interesting
    bandwidth saturation to be seen here http://php.stuwo.net

    Nice visualization of the /. effect. Daily graph explodes at posting time of parent ;-)

    /graf0z.

  47. Re:Gnome? by damiam · · Score: 2, Informative

    Morphix is awesomely customizable (you can even apt-get install new programs while it's running, and burn new sessions on the CD with the additional software to be automatically installed on future boots). But, it's not quite as slick and easy as Knoppix, and I've had a trouble or two with the hdinstall. Still, it's an excellent distro.

    --
    It's hard to be religious when certain people are never incinerated by bolts of lightning.
  48. strike while the torrent is hot! by timothy · · Score: 2, Redundant

    (To mix a metaphor ;))

    "This looks nice. I'll download it when the heat dies down a bit."

    If you're getting a torrent, you'll probably grab it faster while a lot of others are getting it, too.

    Yesterday I finally joined the bittorent fad, found it worked well (that was using the OS X bittorrent client, which was dead easy to install and use :))

    The live-server idea is great.

    timothy

    --
    jrnl: http://tinyurl.com/c2l8yr / foes: http://tinyurl.com/ckjno5
  49. Re:Knoppix and slow CD drives by trouser · · Score: 2, Informative

    Buy a new CD drive. They are not expensive.

    --
    Now wash your hands.
  50. Re:it comes with the ct magazine by Tony-A · · Score: 2, Funny

    what everyone needs is an easy-to-install, easy-to-update, and easy-to-configure linux

    You mean like ... /usr/local/bin/knx-hdinstall

  51. Re:How many legs? by RdsArts · · Score: 3, Funny

    They should just get it over with and name the browser a symbol. Like Prince did.

    If anyone asks, it can be the BFKAFFFKAFBFKAPFKAM. (Browser formerly known as FireFox formerly known as FireBird formerly known as Phoenix formerly known as Mozilla)

    And it'd just be a apt-get install bfkafffkafbfkapfkam away. :)

  52. Re:Torrent problem? by chickenmonger · · Score: 2, Informative

    If you open the torrent file linked in the article in, say, Notepad, there's a message:

    Hello,
    there is Knoppix 3.3 in a newer version avaible, it seems to have
    everything besides the 2.6.1 kernel (that is not without problems)
    but is probably more up to date, here is a big list of _FAST_ ftp and http mirrors

    there is also an ENGLISH edition

    http://www.knopper.net/knoppix-mirrors/

    bittorrent is here:
    http://torrent.unix-ag.uni-kl.de:6969/

    Knoppix 3.4ct also has 2.4.23 or 2.6.1 both have the do_remap security flaw, the 2.4.24 in Knoppix 3.3 is ok.

    If you are in germany you can get Knoppix 3.4 easily at about every store in the c't. (http://www.heise.de/ct)
    The HD install also doesn't work with 3.4 ct edition.

    The real Knoppix 3.4 will be release in a few weeks.

    The torrent was only for a few people in a small irc channel (not in germany), I don't even have a seed,
    just a tracker because i have a tiny server for email and web.

    Regards
    Christian Leber

    There is still http://debian.christian-leber.de/bittorrent-for-pe ople-who-really-really-need-it-otherwise-please-ge t-the-newer-knoppix3.3/ but no idea if it will ever finish, perhaps i have to close it. 30 seeds and more than 400 downloaders will not be finished in the next hours

    P.S. there was also a link to an single http server with the complete iso, it's completly irresponsible to make such a thing public without asking before doing this!

  53. Re:it comes with the ct magazine by Cruciform · · Score: 4, Informative

    The hard drive installer script for knoppix rocks.

    Just type knx-hdinstall as root and off you go.

    It's easy enough that the only technical knowledge you need to get up and running is how to use cfdisk, and there's lots of uncomplicated tutorials to be found on how to create swap and install partitions.

    Want to upgrade apps?
    apt-get upgrade.
    ta da!

    Want to set up a web server with php and mysql to do some web design testing? It's already there. Just look in the distro or on the relevant web sites for the docs.

    Knoppix is a great learning linux, and being able to start the distro solely from CD gives a newbie the chance to become familiar with it before they commit to a HD install. Until they're ready they can always save their settings to the location of their choice.

    I'm no Linux guru, or fanatical advocate either. I just like what I see.

    Postscript: Any time I travel in the future, one of these CDs will be coming with me. If I need to check my bank account info or other sensitive data you can bet I'm not doing it from an untrustworthy OS on someone elses machine. No worries of infection with keyloggers or whatever this way :)

  54. Re:Knoppix and slow CD drives by dilute · · Score: 2, Informative

    Look at the cheatcodes - there is one specifically for this, I think, also one to create an image of the CD on the hard drive (NOT a normal HD install) and work from that, and the two can probably be combined - i.e., initiate the boot from the hard drive and tell it to load the CD image from the hard drive into RAM. Yes that would be quick.

  55. Re:Knoppix and slow CD drives by UFNinja · · Score: 2, Informative

    Be forewarned though, knoppix toram takes a LONG time to load, even on fast drives. But if you plan on keeping the system up for a long time and not rebooting, feel free to do it. Something about having an entire operating system complete with programs loaded into RAM just smacks of hotness.

  56. Re:No NTFS Write Support.... by Wastl · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The Knoppix CD edition *does* support writing NTFS. It uses the native Windows drivers to mount the filesystem. Not the fastest approach, but reliable.

    Sebastian

  57. Knoppix = debian unstable by muyuubyou · · Score: 2, Informative

    It supports upgrade. Easy as pie. Check knoppix.net or knopper.net forums.

    kernel upgrade question
    hdinstall forums
    Easy way to get Debian running in record time. Mepis is another possibility. I blame them for the renewed popularity of Debian.

  58. The Big Deal? by bakreule · · Score: 2, Funny
    If you're looking for a way to test your setup with a 2.6 kernel without trashing a current install, this is a good way

    This isn't a troll (and perhaps a little off-topic), but I really don't see the fuss with upgrading to 2.6. The APIs are the same, the only thing that I can see that is different is module loading, but there's a tool that takes care of it automagically.

    Is it just not trusting a new kernel until it's been fully hammered out in the field?

    --

    Buses stop at a bus station
    Trains stop at a train station
    On my desk there's a workstation....