Beyond Desktop/Serverwith

GNU/Linux

ByBuddhika Siddhisena

LKLUG MemberCo-Founder & CTO

ThinkCube Systems Pvt. Ltd<bud@linux.lk>

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Coverage

Overview of Linux supported devices

Linux supported Architectures

Unconventional Install method

Unconventional Boot methods

Unconventional situations

Hacking devices to run Linux

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Overview of Linux supported devices

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Linux supported Architectures

The Linux kernel can theoretically be ported to any architecture supporting aPaged Memory Management Unit (PMMU)

Certain non MMU processors are also supported via uCLinux

For the latest list on officially supported architecturels /usr/src/linux/arch

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Unconventional OS

“GNU/Linux is an unconventionalOperating System as much as it is a

conventional one”

?

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Unconventional Installation - Floppy

Unconventional Installations Methods

“This is more unmodern(ancient) thanunconventional :) But stillthere are situations whenbeing able to install from bootfloppies come in handy.”

One of the first Linux distributions calledSLS Linux ran kernel 1.0 and waspowering some of Peradaniya Uni servers back in 1994.

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Unconventional Installation - Network

Unconventional Installations Methods

“Many distros such as Redhat, Debian orGentoo also has options that allow you toinstall directly over a network (i.e. Internet)”

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Unconventional Installation - USB/SD/MMC

Unconventional Installations Methods

“There are several mini distrosthat can be installed on USBpen drives or CF/SD cards”

Ex: DSL (Damm Small Linux)SLAXPuppy

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Unconventional Boot

Unconventional Boot Methods

Booting directly off a LiveCDworks quite well on Linux. Withtransparent decompression onecan have 2.0GB or data packedon to a 700MB CD.

Network booting is another optionthats provided by some distrossuch as Knoppix. Using PXEboot one can directly runGNU/Linux from the network.

LTSP (Linux Terminal ServerProject), provides a thin-clientsolution for old machines ordiskless work stations.

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Unconventional Situations

Unconventional Situations

Linux kernel has real-timepreemption patches that enables itto behave in a near real-time OSfashion.

XEN is a technology thatenables the Linux kernel topara-virtualized enabling it torun many guest Osessimultaneously at full speed.

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Unconventional Devices

X – Boxrunning Linux

iPAQ runningLinux

X – Boxrunning Linux

Phones runningLinux

iPOD runningLinux

PlayStationrunning Linux

Gumstickcomputer

running Linux

Unconventional Devices

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Unconventional Ending

Thank You

Unconventional Ending....

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Thank You!