23 September 2009, 15:36

Linux via the internet with boot.kernel.org

BKO's selection menu. boot.kernel.org (BKO) offers another possibility for Linux users to boot the free operating system via the internet. Still in its early days, the project allows Linux systems to be started via HTTP. Clients only require a broadband internet connection and the open source gPXE boot loader, which can be provided on a USB flash drive, a CD or – for those who miss the good old days – a floppy disk.

The current version of BKO can start Debian Live, Ubuntu 9.04, Damn Small Linux, Knoppix 5.0.1 or the Fedora 11 LiveCD of Fedora 11 as required, although the latter is only available in single user mode. It also offers a selection of diagnostic and rescue tools. BKO uses httpfs and does not yet support proxies. To accelerate system start-up, the developers plan to implement iSCSI booting in a future version.

An alternative to BKO is the netboot.me web service, which is also based on gPXE and offers a slightly different selection of operating systems.

(crve)

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