SysLinuxOS

Guide to distroClone and distroClone-backup

edmond — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 07:52:51 +0000

distroClone and distroClone-backup: A Complete System Protection Strategy for Debian-Based Distributions

Anyone maintaining a customised GNU/Linux system eventually faces two distinct but related needs: a reliable backup to restore from in case of failure, and a bootable live ISO to deploy on new machines or preserve as a system snapshot. Until now, covering both scenarios required separate tools and manual procedures. distroClone and distroClone-backup solve both problems in a single, graphical, automated workflow.

This guide covers the features of each tool individually, then walks through the integrated workflow for running them together as a two-tier protection strategy.

distroClone — Live ISO Builder

distroClone is a graphical tool that generates bootable live ISO images directly from the running system. It works on any Debian-based distribution: Debian, Ubuntu, Linux Mint, LMDE, Elementary OS, SysLinuxOS, ZorinOS, and their derivatives.

How It Works

At startup, distroClone automatically detects the installed distribution, version, desktop environment, architecture, and kernel. The graphical interface is built on YAD (preferred) with Zenity as a fallback, and supports custom branding. A TTY mode is also available for headless or display-less environments.

The build process runs through approximately 30 automated steps:

– System detection and information gathering
– Welcome screen with a configuration summary
– Squashfs compression profile selection
– Live system password and hostname configuration
– Automatic installation of required packages (xorriso, mtools, isolinux, etc.)
– Full rootfs clone into a temporary working directory
– Compressed Squashfs filesystem generation
– Calamares installer integration with automatic branding
– Optional pause for custom branding insertion
– Dual boot support: UEFI and Legacy BIOS
– Final ISO assembly with xorriso

The output ISO is automatically named in the format `DistroName-Version-Desktop.iso`.

Squashfs Compression Profiles

distroClone offers three compression profiles selectable from the GUI:

Standard xz: 15–20 min Balanced size and speed
Fast lz4: 5–10 min Quick testing builds
Maximum xz+bcj: 25–35 min Minimum file size for distribution

System Requirements

– Debian-based system (Bookworm or later, Ubuntu 22.04+, Mint, LMDE, SysLinuxOS, ZorinOS 18+)
– At least 10–25 GB of free space on `/mnt`
– Runtime dependencies installed automatically: `yad`, `rsync`, `imagemagick`

Installation

wget https://github.com/fconidi/distroclone/releases/download/v1.3.4/distroClone_1.3.4_all.deb
sudo apt install ./distroClone_1.3.4_all.deb
sudo apt install -f

Usage

sudo distroClone

distroClone-backup — Incremental Rootfs Backup and Restore

distroClone-backup is the companion tool for ongoing system protection. It handles continuous rootfs backup, scheduled incremental backups, and one-click restore when something goes wrong.

How It Works

The GTK/YAD graphical interface presents a dashboard on first launch showing the detected distribution, kernel version, current cache status, backup size, and active cron schedule. All operations are controlled from this single interface without touching the terminal.

The backend is built on `rsync`. A full backup clones the entire rootfs to the configured cache directory, excluding virtual filesystems (`/proc`, `/sys`, `/dev`), system caches, temporary directories, and snap folders. Incremental backups use `rsync –checksum` to transfer only files changed since the last run.

Key Features

**Full Backup**
Complete rootfs clone via rsync. This is the mandatory baseline before any incremental backup can run. The cache is stored at `/_backup/.rootfs_cache`. Typical duration: 5–20 minutes depending on system size.

**Incremental Backup**
Transfers only files modified since the last execution. Fast, space-efficient, and well-suited for automated nightly runs.

**Btrfs Snapshots**
When the destination resides on a btrfs filesystem, each backup automatically generates a read-only snapshot named `@YYYY-MM-DD_HH:MM`. Excess snapshots are deleted automatically based on a configurable retention policy (0–20 snapshots, default: 3). Any available snapshot can be selected for restore directly from the GUI.

**Cron Scheduler**
Automated backup scheduling is handled entirely from the GUI: choose frequency (daily, weekly, monthly), day of the week (for weekly schedules), execution time, and whether to receive a desktop notification on completion. The crontab entry is written automatically to the root crontab.

**Safe Restore**
The restore operation overwrites system files from the cache using rsync, always protecting `/home`, `/root`, and `/boot/efi`. The confirmation dialog displays the backup date, saved distribution name, saved kernel version, and cache size before proceeding.

**Configurable Cache Directory**
The cache can point to any path: an internal partition, an external USB drive, or an NFS mount. The default is `/mnt`.

**Optional /home Inclusion**
An option to include `/home` in the backup is available, with an explicit warning about the impact on disk space and backup duration.

**Real-Time Log**
Every operation is visible live in the log window and saved persistently to `/var/log/distroclone-backup.log`.

**Multilingual Interface**
Language is detected automatically from the `LANG` environment variable. Supported languages: Italian, English, German, French, Spanish.

System Requirements

– Debian-based system (Bookworm or later, Ubuntu 22.04+, Mint, LMDE, SysLinuxOS, ZorinOS 18+)
– At least 10–25 GB of free space on the destination
– Runtime dependencies installed automatically: `yad`, `rsync`, `imagemagick`
– Recommended: `btrfs-progs` for snapshot versioning

Installation

wget https://github.com/fconidi/distroclone-backup/releases/download/v1.2/distroclone-backup_1.2_all.deb
sudo dpkg -i distroclone-backup_1.2_all.deb
sudo apt install -f

# Optional — for btrfs snapshot support:
sudo apt install btrfs-progs

Usage

distroClone-backup

Using Both Tools Together: The Two-Tier Protection Strategy

The real strength of these two tools becomes clear when they are used in combination. distroClone-backup protects the system on a daily basis; distroClone crystallises the system into a deployable live ISO. They are two complementary layers of protection and portability.

The Concept

Running System
│
├──► distroClone-backup → rsync cache + btrfs snapshots → FAST RESTORE
│ (automatic daily backup, continuous protection)
│
└──► distroClone → bootable live ISO → NEW HARDWARE / DISASTER RECOVERY
(run after each significant set of customisations)

Practical Workflow — Step by Step

**Phase 1 — System Preparation**

Install and configure your Debian-based system to the desired state: packages, configurations, desktop customisations, networking tools. This is the starting point for everything that follows.

**Phase 2 — First Full Backup with distroClone-backup**

Before any risky operation (major upgrade, kernel change, critical configuration edits), run a full backup:

1. Launch distroClone-backup from the application menu or run `distroClone-backup` in a terminal
2. Go to Settings and configure the cache directory (recommended: an external USB drive or a separate volume)
3. Click “Full Backup” and wait for completion (5–20 minutes)
4. Go to “Schedule Backup” and configure an automatic daily or weekly incremental backup

From this point, the system is protected. If anything breaks, clicking “Restore System” returns to the saved state within minutes.

**Phase 3 — Live ISO Creation with distroClone**

Once the system is in the desired state and the backup is current, generate the ISO:

1. Ensure sufficient free space is available on `/mnt`
2. Launch distroClone with `sudo distroClone`
3. On the welcome screen, verify the detected data: distribution, version, desktop environment
4. Select a compression profile (lz4 for speed, xz for minimum size)
5. Set the live system password and hostname
6. Click “Start Build” and wait (10–30 minutes)
7. The finished ISO will be in `/mnt/`, ready to write to a USB drive or archive as a snapshot

**Phase 4 — Routine Maintenance Cycle**

In the normal system lifecycle:

1. distroClone-backup runs automatically each night in the background, keeping the cache current
2. After any significant set of changes to the system (new tools installed, updated configurations), distroClone is run to refresh the ISO
3. Before major system upgrades, run a manual backup with distroClone-backup first, then proceed with the upgrade

Scenario: Kernel Upgrade

# Step 1 — Manual backup before the upgrade
distroClone-backup # Click “Full Backup” or run with –incremental-silent

# Step 2 — Upgrade the kernel

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

# Step 3 — Reboot with the new kernel

sudo reboot

# Step 4 — Verify everything works

# Step 5 — If all is well: generate a new ISO with the updated kernel

sudo distroClone

If something fails at Step 4, open distroClone-backup and click “Restore System” to return to the pre-upgrade state.

Scenario: Disaster Recovery on New Hardware

The primary system fails irreversibly — a damaged disk, a dead motherboard. With both layers in place:

1. Boot the new machine from the ISO created with distroClone — a fully functional live environment with all your tools is immediately available
2. Install the system on the new hardware using Calamares (bundled in the ISO)
3. Mount the volume containing the distroClone-backup cache and run the restore — within minutes the system is identical to the original

Tips for Optimal Use

**Separate the destinations.** Use different directories for the distroClone-backup cache and for distroClone ISOs. Ideally, the backup cache goes on a dedicated volume or external drive; the ISOs go on a separate partition or NAS share.

**Schedule the backup, not the ISO.** distroClone-backup is well-suited for automatic scheduling. distroClone produces an ISO that should be run deliberately, as it requires 10–30 minutes and significant system resources.

**Back up before building.** Before every distroClone build, always run an updated incremental backup. This keeps the ISO and the backup cache synchronised in time.

**Use btrfs for the cache.** If possible, format the distroClone-backup destination volume as btrfs. Automatic snapshot versioning adds a third dimension of protection: not just the current system state, but also previous dated snapshots, all selectable from the GUI.

Quick Command Reference

Full backup (GUI): distroClone-backup
Silent incremental backup (cron): distroClone-backup –incremental-silent
Build a live ISO: sudo distroClone
Force English language: distroClone –lang=en

Both tools are open source, available on GitHub, and actively maintained as part of the SysLinuxOS project.

– distroClone: (https://github.com/fconidi/distroClone)
– distroClone-backup: (https://github.com/fconidi/distroclone-backup)

Guide to distroClone and distroClone-backup

enjoy

L'articolo Guide to distroClone and distroClone-backup proviene da SysLinuxOS.

DistroClone Backup & Restore

edmond — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 11:43:31 +0000

DistroClone Backup & Restore

In the development of SysLinuxOS, one recurring need was a reliable way to snapshot and restore a system quickly — not just for users, but also during testing and ISO development.
That is how DistroClone Backup & Restore was born: a graphical, incremental backup tool designed specifically for Debian-based systems.

It is the companion utility to DistroClone Live ISO Builder, and both tools will ship together as part of the SysLinuxOS toolchain in upcoming releases. They are designed to work independently, but their real strength emerges when used together — something I will cover in a future article.

What DistroClone Backup Does

DistroClone Backup & Restore is a GTK/YAD-based graphical frontend that creates and manages backups of the system root filesystem (rootfs) across Debian-based distributions such as:

Debian
Ubuntu
Linux Mint / LMDE
Elementary OS
Zorin OS
SysLinuxOS
and derivatives

It allows you to create a full baseline backup, then maintain it with fast incremental updates. If something breaks — a bad update, a misconfigured service, or an experimental package — the system can be restored in minutes.

When the backup cache is stored on btrfs, the tool also enables versioned snapshots with configurable retention.

Key Features

Full system clone

The first backup is a complete rsync clone of the root filesystem. This becomes the reference state for all future incremental runs.

Incremental backups

Subsequent backups transfer only modified files, making them both fast and space-efficient.

Safe system restore

During restore operations, critical user data is always protected:

/home
/root
/boot/efi

Built-in scheduler

Backups can be scheduled directly from the GUI (daily, weekly, monthly) without manually editing crontab.

Btrfs snapshot versioning

If the cache directory resides on a btrfs filesystem, each backup generates a read-only snapshot, allowing rollbacks to previous states.

Desktop notifications

Optional notify-send alerts inform you when scheduled backups complete.

Flexible backup destination

The cache directory can be placed on:

internal disks
external USB drives
NFS mounts for offsite storage

Real-time logging

All operations are streamed live in the GUI and stored in:

/var/log/distroclone-backup.log

Multilingual interface

The interface language is automatically selected based on the system LANG variable. Currently supported:
English, Italian, German, French, Spanish.

Requirements

A Debian-based system
(Debian 12+, Ubuntu 22.04+, Mint, LMDE, Elementary, Zorin OS 18, SysLinuxOS)
5–15 GB of free space on the backup destination
Automatically installed dependencies:
- yad
- rsync
- imagemagick

Optional but recommended:

btrfs-progs for snapshot versioning

Installation

Download the latest .deb package:

wget https://github.com/fconidi/distroClone-backup/releases/download/v1.2/distroclone-backup_1.2_all.deb

Install it:

sudo dpkg -i distroclone-backup_1.2_all.deb
sudo apt install -f

If you plan to use snapshot versioning:

sudo apt install btrfs-progs

First Launch

You can start the application from the system menu or directly from a terminal

distroClone-backup

The main dashboard shows:

detected distribution
running kernel
cache status
active scheduled jobs

Configuring the Backup Cache

By default, backups are stored under /mnt. This can be changed in Settings, allowing you to point the cache to an external drive or a network mount.

The tool automatically creates the working directory:

.rootfs_cache

Ensure the destination has enough space. A typical desktop root filesystem ranges between 5 and 20 GB.

Creating the First Backup

A full backup must be performed before incremental backups can be used.

When you click Full Backup, the tool clones the root filesystem into:

/_live/.rootfs_cache

Depending on system size and storage speed, the process typically takes between 5 and 20 minutes.

Scheduling Automatic Backups

From the scheduler dialog you can define:

frequency (daily, weekly, monthly)
execution time
optional desktop notification

The tool writes the corresponding entry directly into the root crontab, so no manual configuration is required.

A silent incremental run — the same mode used by cron — can be triggered manually with:

distroClone-backup --incremental-silent

Restoring the System

The restore dialog shows:

backup timestamp
stored distribution and kernel
cache size
protected paths

Once confirmed, rsync runs in reverse, copying files from the cache back into the root filesystem. A reboot is required after completion.

If the cache resides on btrfs, you can instead select Restore from Snapshot and roll back to any previously stored state.

How It Works Internally

From a technical standpoint, the workflow is straightforward and transparent:

Full backup
rsync clones the root filesystem while excluding virtual filesystems (/proc, /sys, /dev), temporary directories, and caches.
Incremental backup
rsync --checksum detects and transfers only modified files compared to the cached baseline.
Snapshot creation
On btrfs, each backup generates a read-only snapshot named:

@YYYY-MM-DD_HH:MM

Restore process
The restore operation is simply rsync executed in reverse, with explicit exclusions for user and boot data.
Scheduling
Cron entries are written programmatically by piping the current crontab through crontab -l and appending the new job.

Part of the DistroClone Ecosystem

DistroClone Backup is not meant to replace tools like Timeshift or full disk imaging solutions. Instead, it fills a specific niche:

fast rootfs cloning
incremental state tracking
tight integration with ISO remastering workflows

This makes it particularly useful for:

distribution developers
system integrators
power users who frequently experiment with their systems

DistroClone Backup & Restore will continue evolving alongside the DistroClone toolchain and SysLinuxOS. Future posts will dive deeper into how the backup cache can be reused directly during ISO generation and system migration.

DistroClone Backup & Restore

enjoy

L'articolo DistroClone Backup & Restore proviene da SysLinuxOS.

DistroClone Live ISO Builder

edmond — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 22:00:45 +0000

DistroClone Live ISO Builder

DistroClone Live ISO Builder — Create your own Live ISO from a running Debian-based system

DistroClone is an open source tool that creates a bootable ISO image from any running Debian-based system, preserving the current configuration, installed packages, desktop theme, and user settings. The generated ISO includes the Calamares installer, allowing permanent installation on other machines.

The project was born out of the need to quickly replicate an already configured and tested work environment, eliminating the time required to reconfigure a new installation from scratch.

Supported Distributions

DistroClone was designed primarily for SysLinuxOS and can also work with the main Debian-based distributions:

– SysLinuxOS
– Ubuntu (22.04 and later)
– Linux Mint
– LMDE (Linux Mint Debian Edition)
– Elementary OS
– Debian (Bookworm and later)
– Other Debian-based derivatives

Main Features

The tool includes a complete set of features to cover the most common use cases:

Automatic system detection: DistroClone identifies the distribution, version, and desktop environment in use, adapting the ISO configuration and Calamares branding accordingly.

Multilanguage interface: The graphical interface is available in Italian, English, French, Spanish, German, and Portuguese, with automatic detection from the system locale. A specific language can be forced via a command-line parameter or environment variable.

Advanced graphical interface: The main frontend uses YAD, with fallback to Zenity or terminal. A real-time log window shows the progress of all 30 build steps.

UEFI and Legacy BIOS dual boot support: The generated ISO is bootable on both modern UEFI systems and older hardware with a traditional BIOS, thanks to the combination of GRUB and isolinux.

Squashfs compression methods: Choose between standard (xz), fast (lz4), or maximum (xz+bcj) compression, depending on your needs for balancing ISO size and build time.

User configuration cloning: The current user’s desktop settings can be copied to `/etc/skel`, so that the live system and the final installation start with the pre-configured profile.

Manual chroot pause for modifications: Before the squashfs is created, it is possible to pause the process and manually access the chroot to apply additional customizations.

Automatic post-installation cleanup: A dedicated systemd service removes Calamares, live-boot, and build dependencies from the installed system at first boot, keeping the final installation clean.
Requirements

To run DistroClone you need:

– A running Debian-based system
– Root privileges
– At least 4-6 GB of free disk space in `/mnt`
– At least 2 GB of RAM
– Estimated build time: 10 to 30 minutes, depending on system size and the chosen compression method
Installation

Via .deb package (recommended)**

The simplest method is to install the `.deb` package available on the releases page:

sudo apt install -y yad
sudo dpkg -i distroClone_1.3_all.deb
sudo apt install -f

Or alternatively:

wget https://github.com/fconidi/distroClone/releases/latest/download/distroClone_1.3.3_all.deb
sudo dpkg -i distroClone_1.3.3_all.deb
sudo apt install -f

Via script (standalone)

Alternatively, you can run the script directly without installation:

chmod +x DistroClone.sh
sudo ./DistroClone.sh

Required dependencies are installed automatically on first run.

Usage

From the applications menu

Launch DistroClone from the System category. Authentication will be requested via PolicyKit. Install `yad` first to immediately see the splash screen indicating the dependency installation; otherwise it will work in the background until `yad` is automatically installed.

From terminal:

sudo distroClone

Language Selection

The language is detected automatically from the system locale. To force a specific language:

sudo distroClone –lang=en

Or via environment variable:

DISTROCLONE_LANG=en sudo distroClone

Supported language codes: `en`, `it`, `fr`, `es`, `de`, `pt`.

The Build Process

The process consists of six main phases, with a total of 30 steps that can be monitored in real time from the log window:

1. Splash screen — The system initializes and detects information about the distribution in use.
2. Welcome dialog — Detected system information and build options are shown: compression type, root password, hostname.
3. User configuration — Choose whether to clone the current desktop settings to the live system.
4. 30-step build — System cloning, chroot configuration, package installation, Calamares setup, squashfs compression, GRUB/isolinux configuration, ISO creation.
5. Optional pause — Before the squashfs step, it is possible to access the chroot for manual modifications.
6. Final dialog — Reports the path and size of the generated ISO, or details of any errors.
Generated Output

The ISO is created in `/mnt/_live/` with the following naming convention:

--.iso

Examples: `SysLinuxOS-13-Mate.iso`, `Ubuntu-24.04-Gnome.iso`

MD5 and SHA256 checksums are generated automatically alongside the ISO.

Testing the ISO

With VirtualBox: create a new VM and mount the ISO file as an optical disc.

With a USB drive:

sudo dd if=/mnt/_live/.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress

Desktop Environment Support

DistroClone handles certain desktop environments in a specific way to ensure compatibility with Calamares:

GNOME, Cinnamon, MATE, KDE, XFCE, Pantheon (Elementary OS)
Dependencies

Required (installed by .deb or script)

`bash`, `rsync`, `xorriso`, `mtools`, `syslinux-utils`, `syslinux-common`, `isolinux`, `imagemagick`, `grub-pc-bin`

Recommended (installed automatically during build)

`yad`, `zenity`, `calamares`, `calamares-settings-debian`, `live-boot`, `live-config`, `live-config-systemd`, `grub-efi-amd64`, `efibootmgr`, `os-prober`, `fdisk`
How It Works Internally

1. The running system is cloned via `rsync`, excluding virtual filesystems, temporary files, caches, snap directories, and user-specific data.
2. A chroot environment is set up in which `live-boot`, Calamares, and boot components are installed.
3. Calamares is configured with the branding of the detected distribution, the partition layout (ext4 with EFI partition), the correct display manager, and a systemd service that at first boot removes the build and live packages from the final installation.
4. The squashfs is created with the selected compression method.
5. The GRUB (EFI) and isolinux (BIOS) boot configurations are generated with menu entries translated into the selected language.
6. The final ISO is assembled with `xorriso`, bootable on both UEFI and Legacy BIOS systems.
7. Final cleanup: Calamares, live-boot, and build dependencies are removed from the host system.

File Structure

DistroClone.sh Main build script (multilanguage)
distroClone Launcher script (multilanguage splash)
distroClone-logo.png Calamares branding logo (optional, auto-generated)
distroClone-welcome.png Calamares welcome image (optional)
distroClone-grub.png GRUB background image (optional)
slide*.png Calamares slideshow images (optional)

If the optional image files are not present, the script generates them automatically via ImageMagick.

License

This project is distributed under the **GPL-3.0-or-later** license.

Further Info and Download

– Repository on GitHub
– Official DistroClone page on GitHub
– Edmond’s Weblog

DistroClone Live ISO Builder

enjoy

L'articolo DistroClone Live ISO Builder proviene da SysLinuxOS.

SysLinuxOS 13.1 Released

edmond — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 14:40:04 +0000

SysLinuxOS 13.1 for System Integrators Released

I’m proud to announce the release of SysLinuxOS 13.1

SysLinuxOS 13.1 is a maintenance and stabilization release of the Debian-based Linux distribution specifically designed for System Integrators and System Administrators.This release focuses on reliability, consistency, and long-term maintainability, providing a production-ready operating system for professional IT environments. SysLinuxOS delivers a fully preconfigured system with an extensive set of networking, diagnostic, integration, and monitoring tools, reducing deployment time and eliminating the need for post-installation configuration.

Design Philosophy

SysLinuxOS is engineered as a professional working platform, not a general-purpose desktop distribution.
It targets environments where rapid deployment, predictable behavior, and operational readiness are critical.

Key design principles include:

Preconfigured networking and system services
Immediate operational readiness in live and installed modes
Consistent behavior across hardware platforms
Full compliance with Debian standards
Long-term maintainability and reproducibility

Release Highlights

System Stability and Reliability

SysLinuxOS 13.1 resolves multiple issues identified in version 13.0, with a strong focus on system robustness and predictable behavior:

Optimized boot sequence, reducing startup times
Improved UEFI compatibility on modern hardware platforms
Resolution of post-installation configuration inconsistencies
Refined dependency handling to prevent update-time conflicts
Definitive resolution of critical package dependency issues (including nagios4, exim4-base, and related components)

Live Environment Configuration

Both desktop editions (MATE and GNOME) provide automatic login in live mode, enabling immediate system access without authentication prompts.
This configuration is intended for:

Rapid hardware evaluation
On-site diagnostics and recovery
Incident response and emergency troubleshooting
Demonstrations and proof-of-concept deployments

Networking and Wireless Analysis

Sparrow-Wifi Integration

SysLinuxOS 13.1 integrates Sparrow-Wifi, extending the distribution’s wireless diagnostics capabilities:

Comprehensive scanning of surrounding Wi-Fi networks
Real-time signal strength and quality analysis
Channel optimization and interference detection
Advanced troubleshooting of wireless connectivity issues
Integration with existing analysis tools such as Wireshark, EtherApe, and Ettercap

Desktop Environment Consistency

A key objective of this release was achieving functional and visual parity between MATE and GNOME editions.
SysLinuxOS 13.1 delivers a uniform desktop experience across both environments:

Consistent themes and icon sets
Unified branding and wallpapers
Identical application menu structures
Harmonized UI configuration parameters
Persistent graphical customizations across system updates

System Monitoring (Conky Suite)

SysLinuxOS 13.1 includes a standardized Conky-based monitoring framework, available on both desktop editions.

System Monitoring

Per-core CPU utilization
Real-time RAM and swap usage
Thermal monitoring (CPU, GPU, storage devices)
Disk utilization and mounted filesystems
Top resource-consuming processes
System load averages

Network Monitoring

Local IP addresses per interface
Real-time network throughput (ingress/egress)
Interface status (e.g., eth0, wlan0)
Default gateway and routing information

Public Connectivity

Public IP address detection
ISP and organization identification
Internet connectivity status

The monitoring layout is optimized for 1920×1080 displays and remains fully configurable for alternative resolutions and multi-monitor deployments.

Installation Framework (Calamares)

The Calamares installer has been extensively customized to meet enterprise deployment requirements:

Native SysLinuxOS branding and visual identity
Predefined installation profiles optimized for professional use
Recommended partitioning schemes for system integrators
Automated post-installation configuration of services
Full compatibility with both desktop environments
Support for UEFI and legacy BIOS systems
Rapid installation workflow without sacrificing completeness

Application Menu Stability

Menu instability following customization with Mozo (MATE) or Alacarte (GNOME) has been fully resolved:

Menu structures compliant with freedesktop.org standards
Stable behavior after menu editor usage
Persistence across system updates
Removal of duplicate application entries
Preservation of user-defined customizations

Build Process and Compliance

SysLinuxOS 13.1 is built using live-build, the official Debian live system creation framework, ensuring:

Full adherence to Debian packaging and build standards
Reproducible and auditable build processes
Long-term maintainability without third-party build tools
Direct integration with official Debian repositories
Enterprise-grade system consistency

Kernel and System Behavior

SysLinuxOS 13.1 ships with the Liquorix 6.16.8-1 kernel, selected for its balance between performance and stability:

Low-latency scheduling suitable for real-time workloads
Improved desktop and interactive responsiveness
Extended support for modern hardware platforms
Performance optimizations without compromising system stability

OS-Prober remains enabled by default, ensuring reliable detection of existing operating systems during GRUB configuration.

Network Interface Naming

Traditional network interface naming conventions (eth0, wlan0, etc.) are used in place of systemd’s predictable naming scheme. This decision supports:

Simplified scripting and automation
Faster operational troubleshooting
Compatibility with existing enterprise documentation
Portability of network configurations across systems

Available Editions

SysLinuxOS 13.1 MATE
Lightweight and resource-efficient desktop environment suitable for classic workflows and performance-sensitive systems.
SysLinuxOS 13.1 GNOME
Modern desktop environment offering a contemporary user interface while maintaining full professional functionality.

System Requirements

Architecture: 64-bit (amd64)
Memory: Minimum 4 GB RAM (8 GB recommended for professional environments)
Storage: Minimum 25 GB available disk space
Firmware: Legacy BIOS or UEFI

SysLinuxOS 13.1 for System Integrators Released

L'articolo SysLinuxOS 13.1 Released proviene da SysLinuxOS.

SysLinuxOS 13 Gnome released

edmond — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 20:51:48 +0000

SysLinuxOS 13 Gnome released

SysLinuxOS 13 Gnome released. Following the recent release of SysLinuxOS 13 Mate, the SysLinuxOS project is pleased to announce the availability of the new edition: SysLinuxOS 13 GNOME.
This release introduces the GNOME 48 desktop environment, designed to deliver a modern, clean, and productivity-oriented experience while maintaining the core values of stability and reliability.

Release Goals

SysLinuxOS is a Linux distribution built to be stable, modular, and secure, aimed primarily at system integrators, system administrators, and IT professionals.
It is not a “plug & play” distribution for beginners: it requires a solid knowledge of Linux and system management. The goal is to provide a reliable platform for production environments, adaptable to the needs of those who integrate, maintain, and manage infrastructures.

Technical Details

Base: Debian 13 (Trixie – Stable branch)
Kernel: Liquorix, optimized for superior desktop and multitasking performance
Desktop Environment: GNOME 48 with GTK 4 libraries
Package Management: APT with official Debian repositories
Default Tools: LibreOffice, Firefox ESR, GNOME Terminal, GNOME Software, and essential administration/monitoring utilities
Security: constant updates via Debian Security channels.
Optimizations: preconfigured for faster boot times, reduced resource usage, and improved responsiveness on modern hardware

Changelog – Key Differences between Mate and GNOME Editions

Desktop Environment: Mate 1.26 → GNOME 48
Graphics Framework: GTK 3 → GTK 4
Window Manager: Marco → Mutter
File Manager: Caja → Nautilus
Terminal Emulator: MATE Terminal, Terminator → GNOME Terminal, Terminator
Control Center: Mate Control Center → GNOME Settings
Software Ecosystem: Synaptic, GNOME Extensions integration
User Experience: GNOME Shell workflow, minimalist interface, and optimized multitasking

Conclusion

With SysLinuxOS 13 GNOME, we expand the SysLinuxOS family by providing a modern, responsive, and tightly integrated desktop environment, built on Debian 13 Trixie and powered by the Liquorix kernel (you can also use the official debian kernel).
The project continues to grow, offering IT professionals a Linux distribution that is reliable, secure, and ready to be deployed in complex production environments.

SysLinuxOS 13 (for System Integrators)

SysLinuxOS 13 Gnome released

DOWNLOAD

Login:

user = admin

password = root

enjoy

L'articolo SysLinuxOS 13 Gnome released proviene da SysLinuxOS.

SysLinuxOS 13 Mate released

edmond — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 22:51:16 +0000

SysLinuxOS 13 (for System Integrators)

SysLinuxOS 13 Mate released. SysLinuxOS 13 (for System Integrators) follows the release of Debian 13 codename Trixie, bringing with it the robustness and security of a Debian Stable OS.

SysLinuxOS 13 is now available with several enhancements and new features. Some of these improvements are under the hood, providing additional functionality. SysLinuxOS 13 comes with the Mate desktop environment as the primary option, while the version with Gnome will be released next week.

Desktop:

The MATE desktop environment comes with the usual Networking menu, which contains some of the tools for network analysis. Many others are available from the command line. There are many programs that help the user have a ready-to-use distro, but above all one capable of interacting with Windows programs and systems. Wine is included.

Tools:

The are Gufw, Angry ip scanner, Linssid, Etherape, Ettercap, Nmap, Packet Sender, Putty, GtkTerm, Cutecom, Wireshark, Zenmap, Suricata, Monit, Bettercap, etherwake, firewalk, hydra, icinga2, Munin, Nagios4, sshguard, vnstat, wireguard-tools, wiregui, zabbix-agent2, Cisco packet tracer, and many many others.

Internet:

Firefox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, AnyDesk, Teamviewer, TigerVNC viewer, Filezilla, Webex, Zoom, Teams for Linux.

Cloud:

amazon-ec2-net-utils, cloud-enum, openstack-clients, rclone, s4cmd, virtualbox-7.2, docker-compose.

Accessories:

Balena Etcher, Raspberry Pi Imager, KeePassXC

Kernel:

SysLinuxOS 13 uses the Liquorix kernel: 6.16.8-1-liquorix-amd64

Liquorix is a custom kernel aimed at desktop users who want higher responsiveness, lower latency. Key features include:

Zen Interactive Tuning to boost responsiveness, even at the cost of throughput or power efficiency.
PDS / BMQ scheduler optimized for mixed workloads (gaming, multimedia, real-time).
High tick rate (1000 Hz) to reduce jitter in interactive tasks.
Aggressive preemption, preemptible RCU for faster response under variable loads.
BFQ I/O scheduler by default, improved virtual memory handling, compressed swap with LZ4, TCP BBR2 optimizations.

System:

Network interfaces are recognized by default as Eth0, Wlan0, etc. SysLinuxOS 13 for System Integrators provides a robust and feature-rich operating system, designed specifically for professionals in system integration. With its enhanced desktop, improved security measures, advanced networking capabilities, and comprehensive monitoring tools, SysLinuxOS 13 offers a reliable and efficient platform for system integration tasks.

SysLinuxOS 13 (for System Integrators)

DOWNLOAD

Login:

user = admin

password = root

enjoy

L'articolo SysLinuxOS 13 Mate released proviene da SysLinuxOS.

SysLinuxOS 12.4 released

edmond — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 12:02:33 +0000

SysLinuxOS 12.4 released. SysLinuxOS is updated to version 12.4. In this version, several bugs have been fixed and it also brings with it several improvements to make it much more intuitive and easy to use. Solved problems about repository, and with new kernel 6.7, are the biggest news. Many changes are under the hood, while others are purely aesthetic, and they improve the menu in both Gnome and Mate desktop environments. SysLinuxOS is a distro for System Integrators and Network Administrators, it must be chameleonic and therefore have tools that help to interface in a mixed Windows/GnuLinux environment.

SysLinuxOS 12.4 released

enjoy

L'articolo SysLinuxOS 12.4 released proviene da SysLinuxOS.

Full repository for SysLinuxOS 12

edmond — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 18:17:40 +0000

Full repository for SysLinuxOS 12

deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ bookworm main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
deb-src http://deb.debian.org/debian/ bookworm main contrib non-free non-free-firmware

deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ bookworm-updates main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
deb-src http://deb.debian.org/debian/ bookworm-updates main contrib non-free non-free-firmware

deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ bookworm-backports main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
deb-src http://deb.debian.org/debian/ bookworm-backports main contrib non-free non-free-firmware

deb http://security.debian.org/debian-security/ bookworm-security main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
deb-src http://security.debian.org/debian-security/ bookworm-security main contrib non-free non-free-firmware

Full repository for SysLinuxOS 12

L'articolo Full repository for SysLinuxOS 12 proviene da SysLinuxOS.

SysLinuxOS 12.3 released

edmond — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 22:38:44 +0000

SysLinuxOS 12.3 Released

SysLinuxOS 12.3 released. SysLinuxOS is updated to version 12.3. In this version, numerous bugs have been fixed and it also brings with it several improvements to make it much more intuitive and easy to use. Many changes are under the hood, while others are purely aesthetic, and they improve the menu and icons in both Gnome and Mate desktop environments.
SysLinuxOS is a distro for System Integrators and Network Administrators, it must be chameleonic and therefore have tools that help to interface in a mixed Windows/GnuLinux environment. In this update, I have excluded two or three programs in favor of others that I believe are more useful for greater interoperability. I have therefore added WoeUSB, Teams for Linux, Webex, Github Desktop, Wiregui, Timeshift, etc.
As you can easily imagine, there is a lot of work behind this, so I apologize in advance if you encounter any small problems. I will do my best to make this distro useful and more complete for those who, like me, do the work of System Integrator or Network Administrator. I therefore recommend downloading and installing SysLinuxOS 12.3, as this version has reached maturity.

Thank you all.

SysLinuxOS 12.3 released

enjoy

L'articolo SysLinuxOS 12.3 released proviene da SysLinuxOS.

SysLinuxOS 12.2 released

edmond — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 11:40:40 +0000

SysLinuxOS 12.2 released

SysLinuxOS 12.2 brings major updates and fixes multiple bugs. It unifies the menu as much as possible for both desktop environments, Gnome and Mate. Some new programs are added, and others are updated to the latest version, trying to complete the networking tools as much as possible. The kernel is updated to version 6.5. Docker, docker-compose, WhatsApp for Linux, Telegram Desktop, htop and more are added.

SysLinuxOS can be used both in a work environment, but also for normal desktop use. This distro is mainly oriented for those who have excellent skills in the Linux environment.

enjoy

L'articolo SysLinuxOS 12.2 released proviene da SysLinuxOS.