<HTML>Linux Orbit
Linux on a Floppy, an Intro to Mini Linux Distributions Version 1.0
Published by LinuxOrbit.com March 15, 2002<br>
by John Gowin
If you've purchased a Linux distribution off the shelf, then you know that Linux distributions come in all shapes and sizes. Lately, it seems that with each new distribution release you get more software included with the operating system. Instead of two CDs, you get 6, or more. It would seem that Linux distribution companies enjoy the concept of "more is better." However, not all Linux follow this general rule.
In this article, we're going to introduce you to some Linux distributions that can fit on a single 3.5-inch 1.44 floppy disk and show you how you can use them to your advantage. You'll be surprised at how much power they can pack.
Mini-Linux: What's the big idea?
If you've ever been stuck on the freeway with a flat tire and no jack, you know what it's like to have a Linux system crash and not have a boot disk. And although nearly every Linux distribution company asks you make a boot/recovery floppy when you install Linux for the first time, many users skip this important step. Out of the boot/recovery disk concept was born the Mini-Linux distribution.
Although there are no standards for Mini-Linux distributions, it should be noted that they fill several niches for general Linux use and administration. In this article, we're going to look at three Mini-Linux distributions and the niches they fill. These niches include security, crash recovery and general administration. We'll also tell you where you can download these little gems and how to install them on a floppy for use on any system with a floppy drive.
Security: Trinux
Securing a network is one of the main jobs of any network administrator. This includes knowing what data is traveling across your network. The first Mini-Linux distribution we'll be looking at is called Trinux, and it focuses itself mainly on network security issues.
Trinux, which refers to itself as the Linux Security Toolkit, can boot from a single floppy or CD-ROM and creates a RAM disk for package storage. Trinux can load its software packages from an FTP or HTTP site (for systems with Internet access) or from a local FAT, ISO or NTFS filesystem. This allows a Windows-based system to boot Trinux without having to reconfigure any system data or partitioning.
Although small, Trinux features a well-rounded group of system security utilities. The Trinux Web site lists all of the packages available for their distribution with a ranking system for packages that have been tested thoroughly and have been found to work well with the Trinux distribution. To view all of the packages available for Trinux, you can point your browser to
http://trinux.sourceforge.net/tools.htmlA word of warning to those who want to give Trinux a spin. Some of the tools provided in the Trinux distribution are active security tools that generate network traffic for the purpose of probing network and application layer vulnerabilities. Be sure to check your company's network security policy before you begin using these tools. If you're the network administrator and you set the security policy, be sure to take full advantage of these to check for your network vulnerabilities.
The programs available for Trinux are all open source and include the following:
-- Sniffers and network analyzers
-- Intrusion detection applications
-- Packet generators
-- Proxies and tunneling tools
-- Encryption packages (ssh and ssl)
-- Web utilities
-- Network utilities
-- Disk and filesystem utilities
-- Scripting languages
If you're looking for an all-purpose security distribution for Linux, but don't want to dedicate a machine on your network, Trinux is a single disk Linux distribution you should definitely look into.
Crash Recovery for Red Hat is CRK
System crash recovery is one of the main reasons that boot floppies were created for Linux distributions. Although Linux is a stable operating system, the fact is that hard drives and other hardware eventually wears out. Every network administrator should pay attention to the Boy Scout motto and "Be prepared!" In addition to creating boot/recovery disks for your installed Linux base, you might want to look at CRK; the Crash Recover Kit, a single floppy Linux distro for Red Hat administrators.
The Crash Recovery Kit for Linux is a Mini-Linux distribution with a very specific task in mind. CRK is designed to help Red Hat Linux administrators recover from disk problems that the standard recovery disk can't help. These problems include the following:
-- Recovery from a trashed LILO boot record due to an installation of Microsoft Windows 9x on top of a Linux installation. Windows overwrites the main boot record and Linux is no longer available. CRK can fix this problem.
-- Hardware detection with CRK is excellent, especially with the latest release featuring a 2.4.5 Linux kernel. This is especially useful for getting information about equipment you're unfamiliar with.
-- CRK also provides ISO images for booting from CD-ROM and provides much more software for troubleshooting your Red Hat Linux system.
If you use Red Hat Linux, no matter which version, having a copy of CRK on hand is a good idea. To find out more about CRK and download the latest versions, visit their Web site at
http://www.crashrecovery.orgtomsrtbt For General Admin
If you're looking for the all-purpose wrench of Mini-Linux distributions, you'll probably want to look at tomsrtbt. Although older than some Mini Linux distributions (features a 2.0 Linux kernel), it's still very handy. Its creator, Tom Oehser, coined the unique name for this distribution. tomsrtbt stands for "Tom's floppy which has a root filesystem and is also bootable." Although the name isn't very descriptive, this distribution can do a lot of the mundane chores that a standard Linux distribution can.
Like many single floppy Linux distributions, tomsrtbt has several crash recovery and system rescue features. The only difference is that this distribution merely provides the tools; it's up to you to know how to use them. Experienced GNU/Linux administrators will appreciate this approach, since your Linux knowledge will be challenged. As such, tomsrtbt isn't for the GNU/Linux novice. It is, however, an excellent learning device since it's a self-contained Linux distribution and can be booted from a floppy without ill effects to your hard drive.
To learn more about the packages available with the tomsrtbt Mini-Linux distribution, you can read the FAQ at the tomsrtbrt Web site, located online at
http://www.toms.net/rb/tomsrtbt.FAQYou should also look into the mail archives for answers to questions about tomsrtbt that you might have. Although tomsrtbt isn't for everyone, it's certainly a handy tool to have in your GNU/Linux repertoire.
Creating a Mini-Linux boot disk made easy
Each Mini-Linux distribution should have directions on how to install the disk image file onto a floppy disk. The only problem is that some users won't have a Linux system to create the disk on. If this description fits you, you'll need a program called RawWrite. There are DOS versions available for those with Windows 9x and there's also a Windows-only version if you don't have a DOS prompt available. You can find them at the following Web sites:
RawWrite for DOS
http://www.chiphead.de/rwri.htmRawWrite for Windows
http://uranus.it.swin.edu.au/~jn/linux/rawwrite.htmIf you run Linux and need to create boot floppies from any of the three Mini Linux distributions we've discussed, be sure to read the instructions on the we sites we've listed, as each have their own install scripts.
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