Contents
Introduction
Below is an alphabetical listing of MiniOs's by OS flavor for use as APs, node routers, servers, or anything that needs an OS with a small footprint. Please try to add new listings alphabetically by both OS flavor (add new ones where appropriate) and by distribution name.
BSD
It seems that most of the BSD projects end up being larger than a floppy (except PicoBSD) and geared more for SBCs or other light-weight computers.
pfSense
emBSD
From EmBSD.org:
emBSD is a stripped down version of OpenBSD. The concept for emBSD is a small foot print operating system for x86 (or other) hardware to use as little hard disk space as possible yet provide a fully functional Routing Firewall. The main driving force behind this concept is to not use a hard disk drive at all, but use off the shelf Compact Flash cards.
Links
http://www.embsd.org/ - Main Page
Comments
Rumor has it that emBSD hasn't been updated for over a year, it lacks the new OpenBsd packetfilter and altq (for bandwidth throttling). They do offer emBSD pre-installed on CompactFlash media and even resell the SoekrisEngineering single board computers (SBC). I don't know if the store is still active though. --RichardLotz
flashdist
flashdist is an installer for OpenBSD which sets it up on a flash card from your workstation. It can create flash card images or do a full install onto a flash card. It can be used with any type of media but was optimized for 32MB flash cards.
Links
Comments
Last updated for OpenBSD 3.3.
PicoBSD
From PicoBSD.org (sligtly modified):
PicoBSD is a one floppy version of FreeBSD 3.0-current, which in its different variations allows you to have secure dialup access, small diskless router or even a dial-in server. And all this on only one standard 1.44MB floppy. It runs on a minimum 386SX CPU with 8MB of RAM (no HDD required!).
Links
http://www.picobsd.org/ - Main site
Comments
MiniOpenBSD
From news post on Deadly.org (edited):
"I tried to make a router/firewall based on OpenBSD3.0 stable fit on an 8 MB disk and 16 MB ram, including multi-user support, sshd, snmpd, altqd, pfctl, wireless support and a simple user interface. Please try my trial (beta) at http://openbsd.sysadmin.or.id/MyBSD/ after some reports i'll fix it and make first release soon."
Links
http://openbsd.sysadmin.or.id/MyBSD/ - Current Repository
Comments
DOS
What DOS variants can be used? If anyone has the details of a TCP/IP + wireless solutions on top of DOS please add it here.
EmbededOSes
eCos
This is a miniature embedded OS originally from Cygnus (now RedHat). It is not a Unix variant, although it provides a mostly-complete C library and a good chunk of POSIX functionality. It runs on several CPUs, including ARM, ia32, MIPS, PPC, and SuperH. Note the ia32 port is fairly new and a fresh checkout from CVS is recommended if you use it.
From the FAQ:
eCos (embedded Configurable operating system) is an open-source, royalty-free, highly configurable, application-specific operating system ideal for embedded systems development. eCos is targeted at high-volume applications in consumer electronics, telecommunications, automotive, and other deeply embedded applications.
Links
Linux
me2000
wrapcop
voyage
based on pebble. http://www.voyage.hk/software/voyage.html
AstLinux
Open Embeded
MeshCube
SixMesh
Pebble
Terry Schmidt at NYCWireless has put together "Pebble" for the FreeNetworks community. It is based on Debian Woody. It has HostAP support, Zebra, NoCatAuth and lots of other very nice features. It is designed for the Soekris Net45x series machines, but should run on nearly any x86 machine with at least 128MB of flash/hd and 16MB of ram.
Not currently maintained.
Links
Metrix Pebble
MetrixCommunication has been improving Pebble over the years for the MetrixKits and it is available for download here. It is designed for the SoekrisNet4526 and SoekrisNet4826 boards. Metrix Pebble has been replaced with Pyramid Linux.
Not currently maintained.
Pyramid
Binary linux distribution based on Ubuntu Breezy, maintained by MetrixCommunication that replaced Metrix Pebble for x86 based wireless hardware, primary Soekris.
Links
DebianApImage
Personal Telco has designed a DebianAp Linux distribution for the Fujitzu stylstic complete with HostApMode support for turning your Prisim2 card into a real BSS AP.
Links
http://www.personaltelco.net/index.cgi/DebianApImage - PersonalTelco WikiPage
http://www.personaltelco.net/index.cgi/HostApMode - PersonalTelco WikiPage
Comments
WRP
'Wireless Router Project' is a fork from the 'linux router project'. I found it quite by mistake, on the nocat download site. It does not seem to be in active development.
Links
http://nocat.net/download/WRP/ - Current Repository
Comments
WISP-Dist
A distribution tailored for Wireless nodes, specifically WISPs. Runs on the 2.4 kernel. Can be stored in 8MB of flash, runs in 16MB. The feature list looks very complete for such a light weight distribution.
Links
Comments
RealTimeOS
What real time operating systems are available and of interest to SeattleWireless?
RTOS configurations provide deterministic scheduling facilities (not useful in a wireless access point) at the expense reduced overall throughput and performance, as well as reduced software and hardware support. Real time operating systems are not a good match for this application.
Other
Have a look at *http://www.irishwan.org in the ME2000 section,it fits on a flash card and is well tested....
