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Fedora Linux

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Fedora
Fedora 8 running GNOME
DeveloperFedora Project
OS familyLinux
Working stateCurrent
Source modelFree software / open source software
Initial release2003 (age 20–21)
Latest release8 / November 8, 2007 (2007-11-08)[1]
Update methodYum
Package managerRPM Package Manager
Platformsx86, x86-64, PowerPC
Kernel typeMonolithic kernel
Default
user interface		GNOME
LicenseVarious
Official websitehttp://fedoraproject.org/

Fedora is an RPM-based, general purpose Linux distribution, developed by the community-supported Fedora Project and sponsored by Red Hat. Fedora's mission statement is: "Fedora is about the rapid progress of Free and Open Source software."[3]

One of Fedora's main objectives is to not only contain free and open source software, but also to be on the leading edge of such technologies.[3][4] Also, developers in Fedora prefer to make upstream changes instead of applying fixes specifically for Fedora – this ensures that updates are available to all Linux distributions.[3]

History

The Fedora Project was created in late 2003, when Red Hat Linux was discontinued.[5] Red Hat Enterprise Linux would continue to be Red Hat's only officially supported Linux distribution, while Fedora was to be a community project and distribution.[5] Red Hat Enterprise Linux branches its releases from versions of Fedora.[6]

The name of Fedora derives from Fedora Linux, a volunteer project that provided extra software for the Red Hat Linux distribution, and from the characteristic fedora used in Red Hat "Shadowman" logo. Fedora Linux was eventually absorbed into the Fedora Project.[7] Fedora is a trademark of Red Hat. Although this has previously been disputed by the creators of the Fedora repository management software, the issue has now been resolved.[8]

Features

Distribution

The Fedora Project distributes Fedora in many different ways:[9]

  • Fedora DVD – a DVD of all major Fedora packages at time of shipping;
  • Live Images – CD or DVD sized images that can also be easily installed to a USB device;
  • Minimal CD or USB image – used for installing over HTTP, FTP or NFS;[10]
  • Rescue CD or USB image – used if some part of the system has failed and needs to be fixed, or for installing over the Internet.

The Fedora Project also distributes custom variations of Fedora which are called Fedora spins.[11] These are built from a specific set of software packages and have a combination of software to meet the requirements of a specific kind of end user. Fedora spins are developed by several different Fedora special interest groups.[12] These are available from their Fedora Spins website.

Software package management is primarily handled by the yum utility.[13] Graphical interfaces, such as pirut and pup are provided, as well as puplet, which provides visual notifications in the panel when updates are available.[13] apt-rpm is an alternative to yum, and may be more familiar to people coming from a Debian/Ubuntu background, where apt-get is used to manage packages.[14] Additionally, extra repositories can be added to the system, so that packages not available in Fedora can be installed.[15]

Software repositories

Before Fedora 7, there were two main repositories – Core and Extras. Fedora Core contained all the base packages that were required by the operating system, as well as other packages that were distributed along with the installation CD/DVDs. Fedora Extras, the secondary repository that was included from Fedora Core 3, was community-maintained and not distributed along with the installation CD/DVDs. Since Fedora 7, the Core and Extras repositories have been merged, hence the distribution's dropping the Core from its name.[16]

Also prior to Fedora 7 being released, there was a third repository called Fedora Legacy. This repository was community-maintained and was mainly concerned with extending the life cycle of older Fedora Core distributions and selected Red Hat Linux releases that were no longer officially maintained.[17] Fedora Legacy was shut down in December 2006.[18]

Security features

One of the many security features in Fedora is Security-Enhanced Linux, a Linux feature that implements a variety of security policies, including U.S. Department of Defense style mandatory access controls, through the use of Linux Security Modules (LSM) in the Linux kernel. Fedora is leading the way with SELinux-based distributions,[19] having introduced it in Fedora Core 2. It was disabled by default, as it radically altered how the operating system worked, but was enabled by default in Fedora Core 3 and introduced a less strict, targeted policy.[20][21] Fedora also has methods in place to prevent buffer overflow exploits and root kits from functioning. Compile time buffer checks, Exec Shield and restrictions on how kernel memory in /dev/mem can be accessed help to prevent this.[22]

Releases

First four cores

Fedora Core 1
Fedora Core 4 using GNOME and the Bluecurve theme

Fedora Core 1 was the first version of Fedora and was released on November 6, 2003,[23] and was codenamed Yarrow. Fedora Core 1 was based on Red Hat Linux 9 and shipped with version 2.4.19 of the Linux kernel, version 2.4 of the GNOME desktop environment, and version 3.1.4 of KDE (the K Desktop Environment).[22]

Fedora Core 2 was released on May 18, 2004, codenamed Tettnang.[24] It shipped with version 2.6 of the Linux kernel, GNOME 2.6, KDE 3.2.2, and SELinux[24] (SELinux was disabled by default due to concerns that it radically altered the way that Fedora Core ran[20]). XFree86 was replaced by the newer X.org, a merger of the previous official X11R6 release, which additionally included a number of updates to Xrender, Xft, Xcursor, fontconfig libraries, and other significant improvements.[20]

Fedora Core 3 was released on November 8, 2004, codenamed Heidelberg.[25] This was the first release of Fedora Core to include the Mozilla Firefox web browser, as well as support for the Indic languages.[25] This release also saw the LILO boot loader deprecated in favour of GRUB.[25] SELinux was also enabled by default, but with a new targeted policy, which was less strict than the policy used in Fedora Core 2.[25] Fedora Core 3 shipped with version 2.6 of the Linux kernel, version 2.8 of GNOME and version 3.3 of KDE.[25] Fedora Core 3 was also the first distribution to include the new Fedora Extras repository.[21]

Fedora Core 4 was released on June 13, 2005, with the codename Stentz.[26] It shipped with version 2.6.11 of the Linux kernel,[26] version 3.4 of KDE and version 2.10 of GNOME.[27] This version introduced the new Clearlooks theme, which was inspired by the Red Hat Bluecurve theme.[27] This release also shipped with the latest version of the office suite, OpenOffice.org 2.0, as well as Xen, a high performance and secure open source virtualization framework.[27] It also introduced support for the PowerPC CPU architecture, and over 80 new policies for SELinux.[27]

None of these distributions are maintained by the Fedora Project.[28]

Last two cores

Fedora Core 6

The last two cores introduced specific artwork that defined them – Fedora Core 5 was Bubbles, and Fedora Core 6 was DNA. This is a trend that has continued in later Fedora versions.

Fedora Core 5 was released on March 20, 2006, with the codename Bordeaux, and introduced the Fedora Bubbles artwork.[29] It was the first Fedora release to include Mono and tools built with it such as Beagle, F-Spot and Tomboy.[29] It also introduced new package management tools such as pup and pirut (see Yellow dog Updater, Modified). It also was the first Fedora release not to include the long deprecated (but kept for compatibility) LinuxThreads, replaced by the Native POSIX Thread Library.[30] It is no longer maintained by the Fedora Project.[28]

Fedora Core 6 was released on October 24, 2006, codenamed Zod.[31] This release introduced the Fedora DNA artwork, replacing the Fedora Bubbles artwork used in Fedora Core 5.[32] The codename is derived from the infamous villain, General Zod, from the Superman DC Comic Books.[33] This version introduced support for Compiz (a compositing window manager for the X Window System) and AIGLX (a technology that enables GL-accelerated effects on a standard desktop).[32] It shipped with Firefox 1.5 as the default web browser, and Smolt, a tool that allows users to inform developers about the hardware they use. According to the Fedora Project, there are nearly three million users of Fedora Core 6.[34] As of 7 December, 2007, this release is no longer supported by the Fedora Project.[35][28]

Fedora 7

Fedora 7, codenamed Moonshine, was released on May 31, 2007.[36] The biggest difference between Fedora Core 6 and Fedora 7 was the merging of the Core and Extras repositories,[36] and the new build system put in place to manage those packages. This release uses entirely new build and compose tools that enable the user to build fully-customized Fedora distributions that can also include packages from any third party provider.[36]

There are three official spins available for Fedora 7:[37]

  • Live – two Live CDs (one for GNOME and one for KDE);
  • Fedora – a DVD that includes all the major packages available at shipping;
  • Everything – simply an installation tree for use by yum and internet installations.

Fedora 7 features GNOME 2.18 and KDE 3.5.6, a new theme entitled Flying High, and Firefox 2.0.[37] Fast user switching is, for the first time, fully integrated and enabled by default.[37] Also, there were a number of updates to SELinux, including a new setroubleshoot tool for debugging SELinux security notifications, and a new, comprehensive system-config-selinux tool for fine-tuning the SELinux setup.[37] Fedora 7 is currently supported by the Fedora Project.[28]

Fedora 8

Fedora 8 with the new Infinity theme

Fedora 8, codenamed Werewolf, was released on 8 November, 2007.[38][1]

Some of the new features and updates in Fedora 8 include:[39]

  • PulseAudio – a sound daemon that lets you control the audio in different applications. Fedora is the first distribution to enable it by default.[39]
  • system-config-firewall – a new firewall configuration tool that replaces system-config-securitylevel from previous releases.
  • CodecBuddy – a tool that guides users using content under proprietary or patent encumbered formats to open formats. It can optionally install multimedia codecs at the user's request.
  • IcedTea – a project that attempts to bring OpenJDK to Fedora by replacing encumbered code.
  • NetworkManager – faster, more reliable connections; better security (through the use of the keyring); clearer display of wireless networks; better D-Bus integration.
  • Better laptop support – enhancements to the kernel to reduce battery load, disabling of background cron jobs when running on the battery, and additional wireless drivers.

Fedora 8 also includes a new desktop artwork entitled Infinity, and a new desktop theme called Nodoka. A unique feature of Infinity is that the wallpaper can change during the day to reflect the time of day.[39]

In February 2008, a new XFCE Live CD "spin" was announced for the x86 and x86-64 architectures.[40]. This Live CD version uses the XFCE desktop environment, which aims to be fast and lightweight, while still being visually appealing and easy to use. Like the GNOME and KDE spins, the XFCE spin can be installed to the hard disk.[40]

  • Fedora Core 1
    Fedora Core 1
  • Fedora Core 4
    Fedora Core 4
  • Fedora Core 5
    Fedora Core 5
  • Fedora Core 6
    Fedora Core 6
  • Fedora 7
    Fedora 7
  • Fedora 8
    Fedora 8

Fedora-based distributions

A more up-to-date and complete list is available on the Fedora Project Wiki and on DistroWatch.

  • ASPLinux – a Russian Fedora based distribution which includes its own installer. ASPLinux also includes closed source NVIDIA and ATI drivers, and supports proprietary audio and video codecs.
  • Aurora SPARC Linux – a Fedora based distribution for the SPARC platform.
  • Berry Linux – a medium-sized Fedora based distribution that provides support for Japanese and English.
  • BLAG Linux and GNU – a stripped down 1-CD Fedora with Debian's apt system.
  • Eeedora – a customized version of Fedora for the Asus Eee PC
  • Ekaaty – a Fedora based distribution from Brazil.
  • Fox Linux – a Fedora based distribution made in Italy, designed for basic home computing tasks such as browsing the Web, writing and printing documents, using multimedia and burning discs.
  • LinuxTLE – a Thai distribution produced by NECTEC
  • Linux XP – a commercial Linux distribution aimed at replacing Windows XP as a home-use desktop operating system.
  • MythDora – a distribution based around MythTV's media center capabilities.
  • Yellow Dog Linux – a Fedora based distribution for the PowerPC platform.
  • Vixta.org – Is a Fedora-based distribution that´s focuses on easy to use linux. With a custom KDE userinterface that resembles Windows Vista.

Fedora on PlayStation 3

Main article: Linux for PlayStation 3

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Fedora Project (2007-11-08). "Fedora 8". Retrieved 2007-11-08.
  2. ^ Fedora Project. "Fedora 9". Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. ^ a b c Max Spevack. "Fedora Project Leader Max Spevack Responds". Retrieved 2006-12-17.
  4. ^ "Fedora Project Objectives". 2006-12-19. Retrieved 2007-02-12.
  5. ^ a b "Fedora Project: Announcing New Direction". 2003-09-22. Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  6. ^ "The Fedora Project and Red Hat Enterprise Linux, part 4". 2006-08-22. Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  7. ^ "Fedora Network Proposal". Retrieved 2006-07-28.
  8. ^ "Red Hat Inc.'s Use of The Fedora Name". Retrieved 2006-07-28.
  9. ^ Fedora Project. "New Users – How Do I Download Installation Files?". Retrieved 2007-11-18.
  10. ^ Fedora Project. "Alternative Install Methods". Retrieved 2007-11-18.
  11. ^ http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/CustomSpins
  12. ^ Fedora Project (2007-11-19). "Custom Spins". Retrieved 2007-11-19.
  13. ^ a b Stuart Ellis. "Software Management Tools in Fedora Core". Retrieved 2007-11-18.
  14. ^ Fedora Project. "APT and Fedora". Retrieved 2007-11-18.
  15. ^ Stuart Ellis. "Using Repositories". Retrieved 2007-11-18.
  16. ^ "Fedora 7". Retrieved 2007-01-17.
  17. ^ Fedora Project. "Fedora Legacy". Retrieved 2007-11-18.
  18. ^ David Eisenstein (2006-12-29). "Fedora Legacy shutting down". Retrieved 2007-11-18.
  19. ^ "Mandatory Access Control with SELinux" (PDF). Retrieved 2007-10-07.
  20. ^ a b c "Fedora Core 2 Release Notes". Retrieved 2007-10-19.
  21. ^ a b "Fedora Core 3 Release Notes". Retrieved 2007-10-19.
  22. ^ a b "Fedora Core 1 Release Notes". Retrieved 2007-10-19.
  23. ^ Red Hat (2003-11-06). "Announcing Fedora Core 1". Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  24. ^ a b Red Hat (2004-05-18). "Presenting Fedora Core 2". Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  25. ^ a b c d e Red Hat (2004-11-08). "Announcing the release of Fedora Core 3". Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  26. ^ a b Fedora Project (2005-06-13). "The Amazing Fedora Core 4!". Retrieved 2007-11-18.
  27. ^ a b c d "Fedora Core 4 Release Notes". Fedora Project. Retrieved 2007-11-18.
  28. ^ a b c d Fedora Project. "Releases". Retrieved 2007-11-18.
  29. ^ a b "Announcing the release of Fedora Core 5". 2006-03-20. Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  30. ^ "Fedora Core 5 Release Notes". Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  31. ^ Fedora Project (2006-10-24). "Announcing Fedora Core 6 (Zod)". Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  32. ^ a b Fedora Project. "Fedora Core 6 Release Notes". Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  33. ^ Red Hat. "Fedora status report: Announcing Zod". Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  34. ^ Fedora Project. "Statistics". Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  35. ^ Bill Nottingham, Fedora Project (2007-11-01). "Fedora Core 6 End of Life". Retrieved 2007-11-07.
  36. ^ a b c Fedora Project (2007-05-31). "Announcing Fedora 7 (Moonshine)". Retrieved 2007-11-07.
  37. ^ a b c d Fedora Project. "Fedora 7 Release Highlights". Retrieved 2007-11-18.
  38. ^ "Fedora Project Release Schedule". Retrieved 2007-10-07.
  39. ^ a b c "Fedora 8 Release Summary". 2007-11-07. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
  40. ^ a b "Announcing Fedora 8 Xfce Spin". 2008-02-13.
  1. ^ "FedoraForum.org designated Official Community Support Forum". 2005-04-04. Retrieved 2007-10-18.
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