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* What is it? [1]
* The hardsell [2]
* Included packages [3]
* Additional packages [4]
* Installation [5]
* Installation help [6]
* Summary [7]
WHAT IS IT?
Pebble Linux [8] is a small distribution based on Debian [9] stable.
The main difference between it and a minimal Debian [10] installation
is that it's designed to work from read-only media such as Flash Ram
[11] and it's focused on wireless networking from the start.
The file system has been reworked to allow it to run on various
embedded style devices but it will still run as a _normal system_ and
in fact a low-end pentium with a small hard drive is suitable, if that
is all you have.
THE HARDSELL
As of July 2004, a search of this wiki returns only one node using
it, NodeGES [12].
I [13] can speak with authority for that node and can report that
PebbleLinux [14] performs as well as its parent distribution.
If anyone is looking for a dedicated linux wireless solution,
regardless of whether you own a Soekris [15] boards, Stylstic 1000
[16] or other embedded device, Pebble Linux [17] is a strong
contender.
INCLUDED PACKAGES
While NodeGES [18] doesn't use NoCatAuth [19], it is included with
the distribution. The MadWiFi [20] drivers are also there along with
HostAP [21], in fact the current README [22] shows the following
packages...
Based on Debian GNU/Linux 3.0r1 (Woody)
Linux Kernel 2.4.26 - with Crypto modules
HostAP [23] - 0.1.3 stable and utils and hostapd
MadWiFi [24] CVS version from 04/20/2004
Prism54 1.1 stable
bridge-tools
djbdns caching dns server
elvis (tiny vi)
nano (tiny pico)
gnupg
iptables 1.2.6a
lynx
wget
lsof
host (DNS lookups, using instead of nslookup or dig)
lilo
NoCatAuth [25], running as non-root user, post 0.81 nightly
ntpdate
openSSH server 3.4p1-1.woody.2 patched
openSSL 0.9.6c patched with security fixes backported by Debian
pcmcia-cs (kernel module pcmcia)
Perl 5.6.1
ppp
pppoe
rsync
tcpdump
ISC dhcpd and dhclient
zebra 0.92a-5 (BGP, OSPF, RIP Routing Daemon)
ADDITIONAL PACKAGES
Being based on a well supported distribution, packages can be added
or removed using apt-get [26], the only limitation may be your
available file system space.
If necessary, selected packages may be built on another Debian stable
system for transfer to the router.
INSTALLATION
Installation is different to the usual method.
You will need an existing Linux installation to perform the install,
either your machine or someone elses (clues follow, if that hint isn't
obvious enough).
Pebble comes packaged as a _near_ working image. (ie:- a base system
that's compressed into a tarball [27]) which then needs to be unpacked
onto the target drive. Some minimal configuration then remains to make
the new drive bootable, after that YMMV depending on the PCMCIA cards
[28] used. (Veritechs [29] work straight out of the box, no doubt
other Prism2 cards will as well.)
The full installation details are in the current README [30]
INSTALLATION HELP
As with any installation difficulties may be encountered but help is
available from the pebble mailing list [31] (or privately [32] for
Melbourne Wireless node owners).
SUMMARY
In summary, don't dismiss Pebble Linux as being a niche distribution,
instead view it as a small sized (low bloat) wireless distribution
that needs minimum configuration to get started. After installation it
can become as big as you want!
For the installation and subsequent configuration, consider the
_learning curve_ as being valuable and useful experience. (The
installation uses a universally accepted method of _on the fly_
transfers - no need for Norton Ghost [33])
Links:
------
[1] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#what_is_it_
[2] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#the_hardsell
[3] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#included_packages
[4] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#additional_packages
[5] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#installation
[6] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#installation_help
[7] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#summary
[8] http://www.nycwireless.net/pebble/
[9] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?Debian
[10] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?Debian
[11] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?CompactFlash
[12] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?NodeGES
[13] http://melbournewireless.org.au/wiki/?GlennMcKechnie
[14] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?PebbleLinux
[15] http://www.soekris.com/
[16] http://www.the-labs.com/Stylistic/1000.html
[17] http://www.nycwireless.net/pebble/
[18] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?NodeGES
[19] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?NoCatAuth
[20] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?MadWiFi
[21] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?HostAP
[22] http://www.nycwireless.net/pebble/pebble.README
[23] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?HostAP
[24] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?MadWiFi
[25] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?NoCatAuth
[26] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?LinuxCommandHowTo
[27] http://catb.org/~esr/jargon/html/T/tarball.html
[28]
http://melbournewireless.org.au/wiki/?OldHardwareDatabase#pcmcia_cardbus_cards
[29] http://melbournewireless.org.au/wiki/?Senao-SL2511CD
[30] http://www.nycwireless.net/pebble/pebble.README
[31] http://www.nycwireless.net/wireless_mailinglist.html
[32] http://melbournewireless.org.au/users/?graybeard
[33] http://www.symantec.com/ghost/
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