ADMIN - Explore the new world of system administration! Special introductory offer! Order by September 30th to save 10% off the regular subscription price! Each issue delivers technical solutions to the real-world problems you face every day. Learn the latest techniques for better:
network security
system management
troubleshooting
performance tuning
virtualization
cloud computing
on Windows, Linux, Solaris, and popular varieties of Unix.
Debian users can soon decide whether to install on Linux or FreeBSD kernels.
New to the Debian archive are FreeBSD architectures for i386 and AMD64. Developer Jörg Jaspert says on lists.debian.org, "The two new architectures (well, better named OSs I think, as they use a different kernel) are available in unstable and experimental." This doesn't mean that Debian is departing from Linux, just that users now have a choice of Linux or FreeBSD kernels. BSD is short for the Berkeley Software Distribution, a UNIX variant with origins at the California university.
Debian GNU Linux distinguishes itself as cutting-edge by adopting FreeBSD and thereby sets a new example for an operating system: a platform supporting two very different kernel technologies, with other aspects of the software remaining largely unchanged.
Full functioning may take some time, however. As Jaspert says, "We do start out empty, importing only what is needed to get a buildd running. For this reason you will not be able to directly use it immediately." As is typical with Debian, the FTP master remains vague about exact dates, but he's optimistic that full functionality should happen "soon."
(Britta Wuelfing)
Comments
Debian Creates Branches for FreeBSD Kernels
toure
May 14, 2009 6:33pm GMT
This is great news. Freebsd has always been more stable and faster. Maybe this can be an opportunity for Linux users to experience the real McCoy. Why not just install Freebsd...hmmm?
Stop by Rikki's Open Source Exchange for dispatches from the world of women in open source.
Rikki Kite examines the experience of women across the spectrum of open source – the people, projects, organizations, events, articles, issues, and news.
Comments
Debian Creates Branches for FreeBSD Kernels
toure May 14, 2009 6:33pm GMT
This is great news. Freebsd has always been more stable and faster. Maybe this can be an opportunity for Linux users to experience the real McCoy. Why not just install Freebsd...hmmm?