Knoppix Hacks

Kyle Rankin

Jan 2005 · "O'Reilly Media, Inc."

About this ebook

Knoppix is a portable Linux distribution with a collection of hundreds of programs and utilities--a veritable Swiss Army knife in CD form. This practical and flexible Linux distribution runs on the fly from a single CD with no need to install anything to your hard drive. Knoppix's excellent hardware detection, collection of programs, and ease of use help explain why Knoppix is radically changing the face of Linux. Though Knoppix is the most popular live CD Linux distribution available, until now there have been no books on the topic. A weighty theoretical tome or a book for dummies won't do--the perfect Knoppix book, like Knoppix itself, must be as useful and clever as a Swiss Army knife. Clearly, Knoppix calls for an O'Reilly Hacks book.

Knoppix Hacks is a collection of one hundred industrial-strength hacks for new Linux users, power users, and system administers using--or considering using--the Knoppix Live CD. These tips and tools show how to use the enormous amount of software on this CD to troubleshoot, repair, upgrade, disinfect, and generally be productive without Windows. With Knoppix you can:

• Test drive a Linux desktop without the need to install Linux
• Troubleshoot and repair Linux and Windows systems
• Create a thin client network with just one CD
• Replace a web server or firewall in an emergency
• Perform a security audit on your entire network
• Virus scan a Windows computer from the safety of Linux
• Customize Knoppix for personal or business use
• Easily install the popular Debian GNU/Linux distribution with all of your hardware detected and configured

Knoppix Hacks provides ingenious fixes, clever customizations, and time and resource-saving tips. If you want more than the average Knoppix user, this invaluable book is a must-have.

Ratings and reviews

Knoppix Hacks hits the highlights of the utilities that come with a standard Linux distribution. Kyle Rankin combines practical examples with captivating narrative and explains what these tools and hacks do behind the scenes without getting mired in technical details.

About the author

Kyle Rankin is a system administrator who enjoys troubleshooting, problem solving, and system recovery. He is also the author of Knoppix Hacks, Knoppix Pocket Reference, Linux Multimedia Hacks, and Ubuntu Hacks for O'Reilly Media. He has been using Linux in many different forms since 1998, and has used live CDs to demo Linux and troubleshoot machines -- from DemoLinux to the LinuxCare bootable toolbox to Knoppix.