Knoppix 7.3 CeBIT Edition
Knoppix PXE Boot Server
You can set up Knoppix as a boot server for the local network, so that other computers, acting as clients, can boot from the server, access the Knoppix medium remotely, and run programs locally. For this task, Start KNOPPIX Terminal Server in the Knoppix menu. Setup is easy and straightforward; you basically just confirm the allowed network range and boot options for the clients. In this way, you can run an entire classroom with just one physical Knoppix medium. In version 7.3, I have changed the terminal server setup to generally provide 32-bit clients (64-bit computers still boot in 32-bit compatibility mode, of course), even if the host system was booted with the knoppix64
boot option. This setup is the most compatible for clients, and does not require clients to specify the kernel with which to boot.
Boot Problems?
Normally, Knoppix does not require any boot options to determine the correct settings for your hardware, graphics cards, and so on. However, with so many different chipsets and combinations thereof, it is sometimes necessary to disable a feature or hardware component temporarily to reach the productive desktop stage [1].
Some common boot options for hardware problems are listed in the boot help that you can reach by hitting F2 or F3 in the boot screen; others are listed in the text file knoppix-cheatcodes.txt
inside the KNOPPIX
directory. If the desktop gets stuck at the point that the 3D composite window manager Compiz should start, try booting with
knoppix nocomposite
or
knoppix no3d
to disable the graphics subsystem's "composite" extension, or just to avoid starting Compiz.
Contents of Knoppix 7.3
The following "table of contents" is also available online [1].
- Based on the usual picks from Debian stable (wheezy) and newer desktop packages from Debian/testing and Debian/unstable (jessie); kernel 3.13.0 and Xorg 7.7 (core 1.15.0) support current computer hardware
- Optional 64-bit kernel, via boot option
knoppix64
, supports systems with more than 4GB of RAM and chroots to 64-bit installations for system rescue tasks (DVD version only) - LibreOffice 4.1.4 (Figure 13)

- GIMP 2.8.6
- Chromium 31.0.1650.63 and Firefox/Iceweasel 26.0 web browsers with AdBlockPlus 2.4.1 and NoScript 2.6.8.14
- LXDE (default) with file manager PCMANFM 1.1.2, KDE 4.8.4 (boot option
knoppix desktop=kde
, DVD version only), Gnome 3.8.4 (boot optionknoppix desktop=gnome
, DVD version only) - Wine version 1.5 for integration of Windows-based programs
- VirtualBox version 4.3.2 (DVD version only) and qemu-kvm 1.7.0 for (para)virtualization
- Linux kernel 3.13.0 with cloop and aufs
- Optional integration of the Tor network for anonymously surfing the web (DVD version only)
- Easy desktop export via VNC and RDP for Remote Desktop Viewing under Linux and Windows (especially interesting for teachers)
- Samba network volume search and mount utility
smbmount-knoppix
- Possibility to update an existing flash disk installation of Knoppix via
flash-knoppix
- New version of the elinks text web browser, templates for mail configuration with mutt, automatic page orientation detection in the scanning/OCR utility
adriane-ocr
and keyboard mailing program KARL in ADRIANE audio desktop - Experimental support for UEFI Boot (DVD: 32- and 64-bit, CD: 32-bit only) after installation on USB flash disk.
- On special request for the Medialinx CeBIT edition, Adobe's Flash player and Acrobat Reader (Figure 13), two proprietary but popular software packages not normally present on Knoppix, are also included.
Infos
- Boot options and distro content: http://knopper.net/knoppix/knoppix730-en.html
« Previous 1 2
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Direct Download
Read full article as PDF:
Price $2.95
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Find SysAdmin Jobs
News
-
LibreOffice 7.5 has Arrived and is Loaded with New Features and Improvements
The favorite office suite of the Linux community has a new release that includes some visual refreshing and new features across all modules.
-
The Next Major Release of Elementary OS Has Arrived
It's been over a year since the developers of elementary OS released version 6.1 (Jólnir) but they've finally made their latest release (Horus) available with a renewed focus on the user.
-
KDE Plasma 5.27 Beta Is Ready for Testing
The latest beta iteration of the KDE Plasma desktop is now available and includes some important additions and fixes.
-
Netrunner OS 23 Is Now Available
The latest version of this Linux distribution is now based on Debian Bullseye and is ready for installation and finally hits the KDE 5.20 branch of the desktop.
-
New Linux Distribution Built for Gamers
With a Gnome desktop that offers different layouts and a custom kernel, PikaOS is a great option for gamers of all types.
-
System76 Beefs Up Popular Pangolin Laptop
The darling of open-source-powered laptops and desktops will soon drop a new AMD Ryzen 7-powered version of their popular Pangolin laptop.
-
Nobara Project Is a Modified Version of Fedora with User-Friendly Fixes
If you're looking for a version of Fedora that includes third-party and proprietary packages, look no further than the Nobara Project.
-
Gnome 44 Now Has a Release Date
Gnome 44 will be officially released on March 22, 2023.
-
Nitrux 2.6 Available with Kernel 6.1 and a Major Change
The developers of Nitrux have officially released version 2.6 of their Linux distribution with plenty of new features to excite users.
-
Vanilla OS Initial Release Is Now Available
A stock GNOME experience with on-demand immutability finally sees its first production release.