Build Your Own Linux Distribution
Most versions of the Linux operating system are a custom curation of software known as a 'distro' (Ubuntu, Debian, etc.). A distro requires at least a kernel, system utilities, some server services if desired, and a desktop or two. A distro as described here means an existing version of Linux customized for your own purposes and for your own devices. If you want to build your own Linux distro from the ground up, you should take a look at Linux from Scratch.
Contents
Steps
Building your own Linux Distro Based on Ubuntu
- Decide on which Linux version you want to to start with. Popular Linux distros include Ubuntu, Fedora and Debian.
- Install the distro you chose on your computer. Let's assume you chose Ubuntu.
- Install the Ubuntu Customization Kit (UCK). It can be found in the Ubuntu package manager.
- Launch UCK. Use UCK to customize an existing Ubuntu distro (Edubuntu, Ubuntu GNOME, etc.) into your own personal distro.
- Select the language packs and desktops for your distro.
- Select the Ubuntu distro that you plan to customize.
- Enter the name of your new distro when prompted and select manual customization. This will launch a terminal window.
- Generate a hybrid ISO image that you can burn onto a CD or a USB. UCK will unpack the ISO and download the selected language packs. Choose the option to manually customize the distro.
- Use the apt-get package manager to uninstall the default software packages and install your preferences. One popular customization is using apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras to install plugins to handle multimedia in various formats.
- Close the terminal window and select the "Continue Building" in the UCK wizard. The utility will build your new custom Ubuntu distro and highlight the new ISO image.
Building your own Linux Distro Using SUSE Studio
- Create an account at SUSE studio. SUSE Studio is graphical and browser-based, and is a relatively easy way to create your own custom Linux distro. Note that you will need to verify your new account via the email message you receive from Suse Studios.
- Choose your Desktop template. Consider your needs when choosing your Desktop template. Minimal X is a truly "bare bones" set up. If you are looking for a fast, highly functional system with few bells and whistles, then consider Just Enough OS. GNOME is another popular choice that adds a good bit of extra functionality (control panel similar to Windows), but is still relatively spare. KDE4 is highly configurable with a broad range of features, and is designed to allow users to create custom systems.
- Click on Create your appliance to get started.
- Click on the Software tab on the "Welcome Page" that appears after you select a template.
- Select the software you want in your new Linux Distro. Keep in mind you are going to want at least a browser, graphics software such as GIMP and some type of multimedia utilities such as Flash Player or gstreamer and a text processing app (Libre Office is very popular).
- Click on the Configuration tab.
- Click the Personalize button below the Configuration tab. Choose your background and logo using the images provided or upload your own.
- Click on Desktop in the Configuration menu after you have finished personalizing.
- Click the Build tab from the main menu.
- Select a format to store your new system.
- Click the Build button. Note that it may take as long as 15-20 minutes to build your new system (depending on connection speed).
- Test drive your new Linux distro. Click the Test Drive link toward the bottom of the page, and the system will begin to boot. Press Enter when you see the OS logo on the monitor.
- Click on Download (next to Testdrive) after confirming your new OS is performing as expected.
Tips
- You can burn an image of your new Linux distro onto a CD or USB memory stick if you want to install it on other personal devices or share it with friends or family.
