How to Build Your Own Linux Distribution

By Frank Pohlmann
2005-07-06


Beyond LFS
The creators of LFS recognized the need for other varieties of source-based Linux systems. For those who want to go beyond LFS and add X Window System, GNOME, and networking support, another LFS derivative was created: Beyond Linux From Scratch (BLFS). The trio of LFS books -- and let's not forget that we are talking about books, not distributions -- form a triangle standing on one of its angles: The basic LFS build is the foundation for an automated compilation and, if required, for a full source-based Linux distribution. BLFS turns the basic Linux system into a full user-ready Linux system. AFLS simplifies installing and extending a source-based Linux installation. The compilation of the complete source-based system is guided by a script you can leave to run on its own after you have tuned it to the hardware on which it's running. You can extend the installation sequence easily after you (or the installation engineer) have decided which packages are required to run, say, a particular office application suite. ALFS comes in handy here, too, as it lends itself to network-wide installations from source.

Tutorial Pages:
» Go to the source to learn Linux basics and build the right Linux for you
» Why UNIX internals matter
» Linux From Scratch
» Beyond LFS
» Hardened LFS
» The growing LFS family
» Resources


First published by IBM DeveloperWorks

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