Floppinux – An Embedded Linux on a Single Floppy, 2025 Edition
a day ago
- #floppy-disk
- #embedded-linux
- #linux-from-scratch
- FLOPPINUX is an embedded Linux distribution designed to run from a single floppy disk.
- The 2025 edition (v0.3.1) includes updates like the latest kernel (6.14.11) and persistent storage support.
- Main project goals include creating a minimal Linux distribution for educational purposes, supporting 32-bit x86 CPUs since Intel 486DX.
- Core features include a working text editor (Vi), basic file manipulation commands, and 264KB of persistent storage.
- Minimum hardware requirements: Intel 486DX 33MHz, 20MB RAM, and an internal floppy disk.
- The tutorial covers setting up a working directory, compiling the Linux kernel, and configuring BusyBox for essential tools.
- Filesystem setup includes creating necessary directories, configuration files, and a welcome message.
- The boot image is created by formatting a floppy disk image and copying the kernel, filesystem, and configuration files.
- Testing is done using QEMU before burning the image to a real floppy disk.
- Summary includes key details like kernel size (881KiB), tools size (137KiB), and free space left (253KiB).