Knoppix

Knoppix is a free Linux distribution developed by GNU/Linux consultant Klaus Knopper[?].

Unlike most Linux distributions, it does not require a hard drive installation; the system can boot from a single 700 MB CD. Even so, Knoppix automatically recognizes most Linux supported hardware on the computer when booting. It is fully featured with copylefted and freely distributable software such as Gimp, OpenOffice, KDE, Gnome; overall there are more than 900 pre-installed software packages. Up to 2 gigabytes can be stored on the CD in compressed form, the decompression is transparent.

Knoppix can also be installed on the hard disk using an installation script. However, since this goes beyond Knoppix' original purpose, the hard disk installation is recommended only for advanced users.

Another possibility to make it more persistent is to store the home directory on a removable medium, like a USB storage device.

Knoppix is based on Debian GNU/Linux, with some added packages which are not currently considered stable and some other modifications to the packages (e.g. for autodetection).

There are different possible uses of the Knoppix live CD:

• getting to know Linux, especially as a desktop operating system
• getting others to try it (evangelism) or demonstrating it at shows
• testing a system for Linux compatibility before purchasing it
• using the included tools for restoring a defunct system or some of its data
• running a firewall or router
• bootstrapping a Debian installation

clusterKnoppix is a distribution based on Knoppix and using LTSP (the Linux Terminal Server Project) and openMosix[?]. It is a convenient way to try out clustering. Quantian is a Knoppix-like CD geared towards science. It is now based on clusterKnoppix.

There are other Linux demo CDs: SuSE distributes a live evaluation CD, Coollinux[?] and DemoLinux[?] have similar purposes as Knoppix. There are also full desktop-oriented distributions based on Debian, notably Lindows, Xandros and Libranet.

External links

• Knoppix pages (http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en)
  • Klaus Knopper's homepage (http://www.knopper.net)
• Knoppix.net - English user site (http://www.knoppix.net/)
  • Knoppix Wiki (http://www.knoppix.net/docs)
  • English Forum (http://www.knoppix.net/forum/)

News articles:

• Cameron Laird: Knoppix gives bootable, one-disk Linux (http://www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/linux/library/l-knopp)
• Distrowatch.com interview with Klaus Knopper (http://www.distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=interview-knoppix)