CeBIT 2010: Debian with BSD Kernel
Debian developer Alexander Reichle-Schmehl presented Debian GNU/kFreeBSD at the Open Source Forum at CeBIT. The FreeBSD port should become an official part of the upcoming Debian version 6.0 free distro.
The new architectures kfreebsd-i386 and kfreebsd-amd64 will become a part of Debian's new offerings. The "k" in the name, Reichle-Schmehl indicates, is only that the FreeBSD kernel is involved and not the C libraries, for example. The FreeBSD kernel currently in use is version 7.2, with an update to 8.0 possible. The operating system should provide the "best of both worlds," the stable BSD kernel and Debian's package management and infrastructure.
Benchmarks for Linux and BSD kernel performance aren't yet established, Reichle-Schmehl admits, but there are other benefits: the BSD kernel is developed in clearer structures and has more stable interfaces, such as for the device files. Then also are features not available with Linux, such as the Pf BSD package filter, the ZFS filesystem from Sun, dtrace and BSD Jails. Even the NDIS driver is now in the kernel. A downside is that some Linux-specific software won't run, such as requires INOTIFY or ALSA. As usual, the Debian project removes firmware binaries from the kernel that don't strictly fit its free software guidelines.
What's still missing from GNU/kFreeBSD as a complete operating system? ZFS and Fuse are not yet available as binary packages and IPv6 integration is missing for the route command and others (currently only IPv4 is supported). Also still in the works is a compability layer for the Linux kernel's INOTIFY interface. At present 15% of the Debian package archives don't work with the BSD port.
Debian GNU/kFreeBSD is currently available for download and testing from the port's homepage. A mailing list can provide help. Debian's system can be seen at the Univention booth at CeBIT in Hall 2 B36.
Comments
comments powered by DisqusSubscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
New Steam Client Ups the Ante for Linux
The latest release from Steam has some pretty cool tricks up its sleeve.
-
Gnome OS Transitioning Toward a General-Purpose Distro
If you're looking for the perfectly vanilla take on the Gnome desktop, Gnome OS might be for you.
-
Fedora 41 Released with New Features
If you're a Fedora fan or just looking for a Linux distribution to help you migrate from Windows, Fedora 41 might be just the ticket.
-
AlmaLinux OS Kitten 10 Gives Power Users a Sneak Preview
If you're looking to kick the tires of AlmaLinux's upstream version, the developers have a purrfect solution.
-
Gnome 47.1 Released with a Few Fixes
The latest release of the Gnome desktop is all about fixing a few nagging issues and not about bringing new features into the mix.
-
System76 Unveils an Ampere-Powered Thelio Desktop
If you're looking for a new desktop system for developing autonomous driving and software-defined vehicle solutions. System76 has you covered.
-
VirtualBox 7.1.4 Includes Initial Support for Linux kernel 6.12
The latest version of VirtualBox has arrived and it not only adds initial support for kernel 6.12 but another feature that will make using the virtual machine tool much easier.
-
New Slimbook EVO with Raw AMD Ryzen Power
If you're looking for serious power in a 14" ultrabook that is powered by Linux, Slimbook has just the thing for you.
-
The Gnome Foundation Struggling to Stay Afloat
The foundation behind the Gnome desktop environment is having to go through some serious belt-tightening due to continued financial problems.
-
Thousands of Linux Servers Infected with Stealth Malware Since 2021
Perfctl is capable of remaining undetected, which makes it dangerous and hard to mitigate.
Why Bother?