Live CD

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Ubuntu 23.04 install screen

Lgx yggdrasil fall 1993

Trisquel 11 Live CD

Fedora 38 live CD

Live CD refers to a storage media format that contains a operating system (OS) which can be booted without installation onto a hard drive. Live CDs are used for software distribution, system recovery, testing, and secure computing environments. The concept extends to Live DVDs and Live USBs, depending on the storage device used.

Overview

A Live CD is a complete bootable computer installation including operating system which runs in a computer's memory, rather than loading from the hard disk drive. This allows users to test the operating system without making changes to the existing OS on the computer. Live CDs are also used for data recovery, system administration, network analysis, and secure internet browsing.

History

The concept of a Live CD dates back to the early 1990s with the creation of the Yggdrasil Linux distribution. The technology gained popularity with the release of Knoppix in 2003, a Live CD distribution of Linux that allowed users to run a full Linux desktop from CD.

Functionality

Live CDs are designed to automatically recognize hardware components such as graphics cards, sound cards, network interfaces, etc. They can also include a wide range of software applications, from basic utilities to full-featured desktop environments. Users can often install the OS from the Live CD to the hard drive.

Creation

Creating a Live CD involves selecting an appropriate OS, customizing it if necessary, and then using specific software to create a bootable image. This image is then burned to a CD, DVD, or copied to a USB drive. Tools like Linux Live Kit and Remastersys are popular for creating custom Linux Live CDs.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

• No need for installation, reducing the risk of data loss.
• Portable and can be used on multiple computers.
• Useful for testing an OS without affecting the existing setup.
• Can be used for troubleshooting and repairing existing installations.

Disadvantages

• Slower performance compared to running an OS from a hard drive.
• Limited by the storage capacity of the CD/DVD or USB drive.
• Changes made during the session are typically not saved unless using a persistent storage feature.

Examples of Live CDs

• Knoppix – A Debian-based Live CD known for its hardware detection.
• Ubuntu Live CD – Allows users to try Ubuntu without installing it.
• SystemRescueCd – Focused on system repair and data recovery.
• Tails – Aimed at preserving privacy and anonymity.

Future

With the increasing capacity of USB flash drives and the advent of cloud computing, the use of Live CDs has declined. However, they remain a valuable tool for system recovery, testing, and secure computing.

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