Background Information
Knoppix, stylized as KNOPPIX, is a live operating system based on Debian. It can be run directly from a CD or DVD, or a USB flash drive. Released in 2000 by German Linux consultant Klaus Knopper, Knoppix was one of the first popular live distributions. During boot, it loads from the removable medium and decompresses into the RAM.
There are two primary editions, available in both English and German: the traditional compact-disc (700 megabytes) edition and the DVD (4.7 gigabytes) “Maxi” edition.
Knoppix primarily consists of free and open-source software, but it also includes some proprietary software, provided that it meets certain conditions. Knoppix can be used to easily copy files from hard drives with inaccessible operating systems. Instead of installing another operating system, the Live CD can be used to quickly and more safely use Linux software.
Technical Specifications
General Information
- Developer: Klaus Knopper
- Licensing: GNU General Public License w/ other free software license
- OS Family: Linux (Unix-like)
- Initial Release Date: September 30, 2000
- Latest Release Date: May 5, 2022
Availability Information
- Languages: English and German
- Platforms: i486 or later
System Information
- Working State: Dorment
- Source Model: Open Source
- Package manager:
- APT (frontend)
- dpkg (maintenance)
- Userland: GNU
- Default User Interface: LXDE
Hardware Requirements
| Components | System Requirements |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel/AMD-compatible (i486 or later) |
| RAM | 32 MB for text mode; 512MB for graphics mode with LXDE; Minimum of 1GB for web browser and productivity software; 2GB recommended |
| Storage | Bootable optical drive: DVD-ROM for more current versions CD-ROM for version 7.2 and older, or a boot floppy and standard CD-ROM (IDE/ATAPI or SCSI) |
| Graphics | Standard SVGA-compatible graphics card |
| I/O | Serial or PS/2 standard mouse, or an IMPS/2-compatible USB-mouse |