CRUX

CRUX Linux
Screenshot KDE Desktop for Crux Linux OS.
Developer Per Lidén and CRUX community
OS family Unix-like
Working state Active
Source model Open source
Initial release December 2002 (2002-12)
Latest release 3.4[1] / May 12, 2018 (2018-05-12)
Update method ports
Package manager pkgutils[2]
Platforms x86-64
Kernel type Linux (Monolithic)
Userland GNU
Default user interface Openbox
License Various
Official website crux.nu

CRUX is a lightweight, x86-64-optimized Linux distribution targeted at experienced Linux users and delivered by a tar.gz-based package system with BSD-style initscripts. It is not based on any other Linux distribution.[3] It also utilizes a ports system to install and upgrade applications.[4]

Although crux is the Latin word for "cross," the choice of the name "CRUX" itself has no meaning. Per Lidén chose it because it "sounded cool," and ends in "X" which puts it in line with various other Unix flavors such as IRIX, Ultrix, Mac OS X and IBM AIX.[5]

Installation

CRUX does not include a GUI installation program. Instead, the user boots the kernel stored on either a CD or diskette; partitions the hard disk drive(s) to which the operating system will be installed (using a program such as fdisk or cfdisk); creates the appropriate file systems on the various partitions; mounts the CD or NFS share along with the partitions made previously for use by the package installation script; compiles a new kernel; and installs a bootloader, all via shell commands.[6][7]

Package management

CRUX implements an infrastructure similar to that of BSD-based operating systems for package management. Packages consist of a Pkgfile (which is a shell script), any patches required to adjust the program to work, md5sum hashes used to verify the integrity of the downloaded files and a footprint file listing the files to be included in the packages. These files are downloaded from a CRUX software repository, compiled, and installed using the prt-get frontend to pkgutils.[2] The software sources are downloaded from the websites of their respective upstream at the address specified in the Pkgfile.

Releases

x86 Release History
Version Date
1.0 2002 December
1.1 2003 March
1.2 2003 August
1.3 2003 December
1.3.1 2004 February
2.0 2004 March
2.1 2005 April
2.2 2006 April
2.3 2007 March
2.4 2007 December
2.5 2008 December
2.6 2009 September
2.7 2010 October
2.7.1 2011 November
2.8 2012 October
3.0 2013 January
3.1 2014 July
3.2 2015 November
3.3 2017 February
3.4 2018 May

Reviews

Simone Rota reviewed CRUX for OSNews:[8]

Since to use CRUX you must compile your own kernel and modules, the hardware compatibility list is basically the same as the Linux kernel.(2.4.21 on the tested release). No third-party modules are available on the CD, in case of unsupported hardware the only option is to fetch the drivers from another machine. The bootable CD-Rom kernel is compiled with a relatively small set of options, that should be enough to boot the machine and proceed with installation.

Blog, named "The Reviewr", reviewed CRUX 2.2.[9]

References

  1. ↑ CRUX 3.4 has been released!
  2. 1 2 "The Package System", Handbook, Crux.nu, retrieved January 19, 2013
  3. ↑ Loli, Eugenia. "Interview With the Creators of CRUX and Root Linux". OS News. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  4. ↑ HomePage, Crux.nu, retrieved January 19, 2013
  5. ↑ "6. Miscellaneous", FAQ, Crux.nu, July 22, 2008, retrieved March 26, 2012
  6. ↑ "Installing CRUX", Handbook, Crux.nu, retrieved March 26, 2012
  7. ↑ "NFSInstall", Wiki, Crux.nu, July 15, 2008, retrieved March 26, 2012
  8. ↑ Review: CRUX Linux, OSNews
  9. ↑ The Reviewr: CRUX 2.2 - Taste matters
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