Hello,
What form of Linux is used in opensuse? How is it defined?
I understand that Linux is defined by its kernel. But what I don’t understand is how the particular construction defines a particular Linux version, as opposed to defining a non-Linux kernel. I sometimes get the impression that Linux is simply defined as any OS that uses the free GNU software for construction. Can someone enlighten me?
Regards
Pretty much the same as any linux. But perhaps I don’t understand the question.
I understand that Linux is defined by its kernel. But what I don’t understand is how the particular construction defines a particular Linux version, as opposed to defining a non-Linux kernel.
Again, I am confused by the question.
The linux version (for example, I am using openSUSE Leap 42.3 at the moment), does not directly depend on the kernel version. The openSUSE team makes a choice of software to include. And the kernel choice is part of that.
A linux kernel is one descended from the original from Linus Torvalds.
I sometimes get the impression that Linux is simply defined as any OS that uses the free GNU software for construction. Can someone enlighten me?
The various BSD variants of unix also use a lot of free GNU software. And linux also uses some free software that originated in the BSD systems.
If you go back a few years, there was probably more balkanization between Linux distros and their kernels.
For the last decade or so, there have been efforts to co-operate and standardize particularly in areas of extreme complexity and difficulty almost certainly to produce a better product with better efficiency. So, for instance today you’ll find a well-developed flow from mainline kernel development to the individual distros, and commonly desired functionality like device drivers are now integrated into the kernel. Instead of being the differentiator, the kernel today can be considered the distributor of things every distro needs.
Distros are still able to differentiate from one another, though.
Today’s microkernel architecture allows distros to add or remove kernel parts if they wish.
Probably more often seen and obvious is that everything that’s not part of the kernel can be whatever one wishes, which is described in John Hudson’s above post.
In fact,
You can probably slice and dice the multitude of ways distros are different in more ways that can generally be described, so trying to do so might be an impossible task.
Of course,
Wikipedia will still contain articles that will try to do just that, eg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Linux_distributions
But I’m sure that anyone can create their own list of parameters and build a really interesting distro list of their own.
Now, I’ll offer a short list of kernel-related factors that help to differentiate distros just to show what I just said above isn’t completely true…
RHEL offers a kernel that’s better tuned for medium to large servers.
I don’t remember the distro Google uses for their Cloud, but they developed their own custom kernel to support the extremely high networking loads between each node.
Some distros like Ubuntu LTS and CentOS don’t introduce new kernels as often as they generally become available to make systems rock solid for longer lengths of time, instead preferring to backport security fixes to the specific kernel they wish to support. Others like openSUSE distribute latest kernels very quickly (I’ve found generally within 3 mths, TW even sooner).
IMO and HTH,
TSU
openSUSE Leap 42.3 uses Linux kernel 4.4
uname -r
…and systemd 228
systemd --version
The package manager engine is ZYpp, which is used by zypper and YaST.
On 2018-03-25, anon private <anon_private@no-mx.forums.microfocus.com> wrote:
> What form of Linux is used in opensuse? How is it defined?
> <SNIP>
> Can someone enlighten me?
It’s important to know the differences between GNU, Linux, GNU/Linux, and GNU/Linux distribution.
GNU is almost the entire operating system including the shell (bash), compiler collection (gcc), as well as important
code libraries (glibc), tools (libtool), utilities (binutils), and bootloader (grub). The reason why I say almost is
because it does not (normally) include a kernel (see below).
Linux is a kernel. It is (mostly) written in C and allows the operating system to interface with hardware. It source
code is necessary for compiling the kernel from scratch and the source headers are necessary for compiling modules (e.g.
for drivers) against a particular kernel version.
GNU/Linux is the combination of GNU and Linux and therefore a complete operating system. GNU/Linux alone does not
include a package manager to automate dependency association for installing applications or a desktop environment such
as KDE or GNOME. Note that Android is not a GNU/Linux operating system because while it uses the Linux kernel it does
not use GNU.
A GNU/Linux distribution is a GNU/Linux implementation which includes a package manager and optionally a desktop
environment. The distribution maintainers construct/adapt a package maintainer to look after dependencies so that if a
user specifies installation of one package that depends on another, both are installed. These packages can the form of
source code (for source' distributions) or pre-compiled binaries (for binary’ distributions).
The most common GNU/Linux distribution form are Debian-based binary distribution that uses the APT package management
tool and such distributions include Ubuntu and Mint. The openSUSE distribution is a binary GNU/Linux distribution using
an adapted form of the RPM package management system called zypp, which can invoked from command line (using zypper) or
GUI (using YaST). In addition to YaST, notable features of openSUSE include equal support for different desktop
environments (notably KDE and GNOME), and the openSUSE Build Service. By default openSUSE does not include
DRM-associated batteries (unlike Mint) but these are easily installed by adding the relevant repositories using
zypper/YaST.
Professional-grade development for openSUSE is assured as a result of its association with Enterprise versions (SLES).
Due to openSUSE’s RPM heritage, it is capable of being fully compliant with the the Linux Standard Base (unlike
Debian-based distributions). For these reasons and those listed in the previous paragraph, I believe openSUSE is the
best free GNU/Linux binary distribution you will ever encounter.
Thank you
My present OS kubuntu uses 4.4.0-116-generic
I have a problem connecting a livedvd of 26.04.4 (kubuntu) via wi-fi to the router - it keeps disconnecting. Since the kernels are similar am I likely to have the same problem with the opensuse livedvd?
According the Distrowatch opensues is based onIndependent.
What does this mean?
On 2018-03-26, anon private <anon_private@no-mx.forums.microfocus.com> wrote:
>
> According the Distrowatch opensues is based onIndependent.
Some GNU/Linux distributions are based on others. For example Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu, which is based on Debian.
Although S.u.S.E. was originally based on SlackWare, openSUSE is no longer dependent on any other GNU/Linux
distribution. That is why Distrowatch states that it is `independent’.
On 2018-03-26, anon private <anon_private@no-mx.forums.microfocus.com> wrote:
<SNIP>
> I have a problem connecting a livedvd of 26.04.4 (kubuntu) via wi-fi to
> the router - it keeps disconnecting. Since the kernels are similar am I
> likely to have the same problem with the opensuse livedvd?
No. Because there is no openSUSE live media (including DVD). You have to install openSUSE to hard drive.
Whether or not Kubuntu’s live media wifi problem is specific to Kubuntu or general to GNU/Linux I don’t know because it
depends on your hardware. You have to ask the guys at Kubuntu for support.
There are official LiveCDs for TW and LEAP 15.
Just not LEAP 42.x
To answer the @OP,
It depends.
Yes, it’s likely that both kernels will have the same support for devices.
But, it’s not an absolute, only a generality.
So, it’s worth running a LiveCD to see if you get “default, out of the box support” for your hardware.
You can also search for discussions in the Hardware, Wireless and Networking forums for discussions about your specific wireless… Maybe even ask a question if you’d like.
TSU-
I know that kubuntu is based on Debian. Is independent a form of Linux?
I should have been more specific.
At present, I run kubuntu 14.04 as an installed OS. It connects perfectly with the router via wi-fi. This kernel is the one I gave and approximates the kernel in opensuse. I was thinking of upgrading kubuntu to version 16.04.4. I created a livedvd but could not connect well to the internet - it kept disconnecting.
This is the reason why I am searching for another distribution, sooner or later my current OS will be unable to receive updates as it reaches its lifespan
So, I might be able to form a stable connection with opensuse.
I would really like the latest version of opensuse as a livedvd, Leap 42 looks a much later OS compared with 15. I need advice regarding this matter - how best to proceed.
Please understand that openSUSE 15 is still at beta phase, so not quite ready yet.
https://en.opensuse.org/openSUSE:Roadmap#Upcoming_openSUSE_Leap_Release
I would call it semi-independent. Yes, it is based on Debian. As far as I know, the “buntu” releases do compile the software themselves and maintain their own repos, though probably using Debian sources.
Leap 42 looks a much later OS compared with 15.
Don’t go by the numbers. The “42” number was a bit of an odd choice. Yes Leap 15 is newer than Leap 42. And Leap 15 isn’t officially available yet. It is still in beta testing. You can install if you want. But if you are new to openSUSE it might be better to start with 42.3, and wait until 15.0 is released before you try it.
Can I get a release 42 iso that I can burn to form a livedvd for testing purposes?
You could try testing with GeckoLinux (An installable live DVD / USB image based on openSUSE Leap 42.3)…
https://geckolinux.github.io/#download
If you want to test Leap 15 live then go here
http://download.opensuse.org/distribution/leap/15.0/live/
Why can’t I just burn the iso file to a dvd and create a livedvd?
Please see post #10 and #11. And #17.
You probably misunderstand what the DVD is… It can’t run as a LiveDVD, at best its “repair” mode will give you a simple command line.
So, you won’t get a graphic Desktop environment (what most Users expect when running a LiveCD).
I recommend you run the Tumbleweed LiveCD with your choice of Desktop, although it’s not exactly the same under the surface, it’s close enough… And, your User experience will be the same.
As for hardware support, Tumbleweed will actually come with a much newer kernel which should generally be more capable that what you’ll find comes with LEAP 42.3.
TSU