Lunar Linux

Lunar Linux is an open source and completely free distribution of Linux that allows users to create a custom operating system that can be optimized for desktop or server use.

It’s distributed as archived ISO images for mainstream architectures

The Lunar Linux distribution is available for download as archived ISO images for mainstream architectures, 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x86_64). It can only be installed, as no live mode is provided on the ISO images.

The boot menu comes with advanced options

The boot menu comes with advanced options, such as the ability to add third-party modules or boot in safe mode. Pressing the Enter key on the boot prompt will start the text-mode installer, which will first ask you to select a video mode (optional step).

It can be used as a rescue CD

The distro has been designed to be used as a rescue CD, as it includes an option to drop to a shell prompt in case you want to rescue an operating system that won’t boot anymore. Newbies will also be presented to an introduction to Lunar Linux.

The installation process is straightforward

Despite the fact that Lunar Linux uses a text-mode installer, the installation process is straightforward and will require you to select a keyboard map and console font, set the global language, choose a default text editor, partition the disk, setup Linux software RAID, select target partitions, select a swapfile, as well as to install a bootloader.

You can install a precompiled kernel or build your own

Being designed to be highly customizable, the distribution allows you to built your own kernel. However, you can always install a precompiled kernel that is distributed on the ISO image. There are three kernels available, a normal one, a safe one and a server optimized one.

What is new in this release:

• Out with sysvinit (gasp!) in with systemd (wth?!)
• Kernel 3.16.3, gcc 4.9.1 and glibc 2.19
• Added support for btrfs filesystem
• Grub2 or lilo, pick your poison
• Improved installer
• Now with initrd support
• A bunch of updated modules!

What is new in version 1.6.5:

• Based on kernel 2.6.35.3 and glibc 2.11.2
• Hybrid ISO support
• Added support for EXT4 filesystem
• Added option to change preferred /etc/fstab style; UUID, LABEL or device name
• Openssh and screen is now part of the LiveCD to allow remote assistance during install Summary of changes since 1.6.4:
• Isolinux updated
• All modules refreshed
• Custom compilation of the kernel during install should once again be working
• Pre-compiled kernels now properly generate an install and md5sum log
• Added modules: yasm, gperf, libusb-compat, usbutils, xz, gmp, mpfr, cron-common, logrotate, rsyslog, iwlwifi-3945-ucode, iwlwifi-4965-ucode, iwlwifi-5000-ucode, screen, slang and mc
• Removed modules: mktemp, lard and device-mapper
• Grub2 tarball is available on the LiveCD for manual install
• Fixed a few minor bugs with the installer
• Rsyslog is now the new default syslog daemon
• Wireless firmware available on the liveCD

What is new in version 1.6.5 RC1:

• New features in 1.6.5
• Based on kernel 2.6.34.1 and glibc 2.11.2
• Added support for EXT4 filesystem
• Added option to change preferred /etc/fstab style; UUID, LABEL or device name
• Openssh and screen is now part of the LiveCD to allow remote assistance during install
• Summary of changes since 1.6.4
• Isolinux updated
• All modules refreshed
• Custom compilation of the kernel during install should once again be working
• Pre-compiled kernels now properly generate an install and md5sum log
• Added modules: yasm, gperf, libusb-compat, usbutils, xz, gmp, mpfr, cron-common, logrotate, rsyslog, iwlwifi-3945-ucode, iwlwifi-4965-ucode, iwlwifi-5000-ucode, screen, slang and mc
• Removed modules: mktemp, lard and device-mapper
• Grub2 tarball is available on the LiveCD for manual install
• Fixed a few minor bugs with the installer
• Rsyslog is now the new default syslog daemon

What is new in version 1.6.4:

• New features:
• working software RAID configuration;
• improved language selection; installation from a USB stick or other media;
• ships with kernel 2.6.27.10;
• ReiserFS, XFS and JFS file systems are now also built-in with the precompiled kernels.
• Summary of changes since beta 1:
• isolinux updated; all modules refreshed;
• installer will now skip the 'swap file' step if a swap partition has been added;
• USB modems in the precompiled kernel have been disabled since they require firmware images that we don't supply;
• added lsb-release.

What is new in version 1.6.4 Beta 1:

• Lunar Linux 1.6.4-beta1, code name 'Lacus Autumni', just became available. The 1.6.4 stable release is just around the corner and we hope it will please everyone. As mentioned in our previous announcement, X.Org and Xfce 4 had to be removed from the ISO as it was just not worth the effort to maintain them. Instead we can put that effort into further improving our installer and ISO quality. New features in 1.6.4: working software raid configuration; improved language selection; installation from a USB stick or other media; ships with kernel 2.6.27; ReiserFS, XFS and JFS are now also built-in with the pre-compiled kernels.