FAQ for grml
+ +Up2date: applies to Grml releases version 2011.12
+ + + + +-
+
- What is Grml? +
- What are grml32 / grml64 and grml96? +
- Where do I get Grml? +
- What does Grml mean? +
- What about the release name? +
- Requirements for running Grml +
- Which bootoptions does Grml support? +
- Are there any known issues with this release? How about reporting bugs? +
-
+
- How do I boot Grml from a USB stick? +
- Is it possible to store my settings? +
- What are the passwords of users on Grml? +
- How do I find out the version of Grml +
- How do I change the language/keyboard settings? +
- Which window managers can I use? +
- Where are my LVM devices? +
- Where are my Software-RAID devices? +
- Which ways exist to boot Grml? +
- How do I configure timezone on my Grml system? +
- Is it possible to install Grml to harddisk? +
General
+ +What is Grml?
+ +Grml is a bootable CD (Live-CD) based + on Debian. It is not + necessary to install anything to a harddisk. Grml includes a + collection of GNU/Linux software especially for system + administrators. It specializes on administrative tasks like + installation, deployment and system rescue.
+ +What are grml32 / grml64 and grml96?
+ +-
+
- grml32: 32bit version (kernel and userspace) +
- grml64: 64bit version (kernel and userspace) +
- grml96: multi boot version (featuring grml32 and grml64 on one ISO) +
Unless you've a good reason to really choose the 32bit flavour we + strongly encourage you to use either the grml64 or the grml96 + flavour.
+ +Please notice that this schema was introduced starting with Grml + release 2011.12. Until then grml96 didn't exist and grml32 was known as + just 'grml'.
+ +Where do I get Grml?
+ +Grml is open source, you can download it from the mirrors + listed at grml.org/download/.
+ +What does Grml mean?
+ +Grml comes close to 'argl' or 'grrr' in English. People use + this when they want to express their dissatisfaction with + software (amongst other things).
+ +What about the release name?
+ +Codename of Grml 2011.12 is "Knecht Rootrecht". It's a wordplay on + Knecht + Ruprecht, which translates as Farmhand Ruprecht or Servant + Ruprecht.
+ +Requirements for running Grml
+ +-
+
+
- Intel-compatible CPU (i586 or later, preferably Pentium class or higher) + +
- >=128MB of RAM (>=256MB recommended) + +
- either a bootable CD-/DVD-ROM drive, + a USB-boot capable system or a + network card for booting via network/PXE (check + out grml-terminalserver) + +
What does accessibility at Grml mean?
+ +The Grml kernel includes support for speakup. For software, + brltty and espeakup are included.
+ +Which bootoptions does Grml support?
+ +Check out the grml-cheatcodes + file (also available via grml.org/cheatcodes/). Of + course kernel-parameters.txt + of the Linux kernel applies to Grml as well.
+ + + +Are there any known issues? How about reporting bugs?
+ +Please visit the bug webpage.
+ +Features
+ + +How do I boot Grml from a USB stick?
+ +Check + out grml2usb + at the + usb webpage in the + grml-wiki.
+ +Is it possible to store my settings?
+ +Yes, using the + a persistency + feature.
+ +What are the passwords of users on Grml?
+ +There are no default passwords - all accounts are locked by + default for security reasons. Even local logins are not + possible (unless you set a password or create new user + accounts as root). You can create valid passwords using "sudo + passwd [username]" from the shell individually.
+ +How do I find out the version of Grml
+ +Run 'grml-version' or use the following command:
+ ++$ cat /etc/grml_version+ +
How do I change the language/keyboard settings?
+ +By default Grml uses english settings. But it is possible to + change the settings via using either the bootparam(s) lang, + keyboard and xkeyboard or via executing grml-lang when Grml is + already running. Usage examples:
+ ++grml lang=de # enter this at the bootprompt and you will get + # german keyboard layout and german $LANG, $LC_ALL, + # $LANGUAGE... +grml keyboard=de xkeyboard=de lang=at # enter this at the bootprompt + # and you will get german keyboard and austrian + # language variables +% grml-lang de # enter this in the shell to switch keyboard layout + # and $LANG settings in a running Grml system ++ +
Note: run grml-setlang to get a dialog based frontend for + /etc/default/locale. Run grml-setkeyboard to get a dialog + based frontend for /etc/sysconfig/keyboard.
+ + +Which window managers can I use?
+ +Starting with the 2011.12 release Grml provides Fluxbox as window manager.
+ +Where are my LVM devices?
+ +LVM (Logival Volumes) is not started by default to + avoid any possible damage to your data. To get access to present LVM + devices just execute:
+ ++# /etc/init.d/lvm2 start ++ +
If you want to enable LVM by default just boot using the 'lvm' + bootoption which automatically enables LVM.
+ +Where are my Software-RAID devices?
+ +Software-RAID (usually known as the mdadm stuff) is + not started by default to avoid any possible damage to + your data. To get access to present SW-RAID devices just execute:
+ ++# /etc/init.d/mdadm-raid start ++ +
If you want to enable SW-RAID by default just boot using + the 'swraid' bootoption which enables automatic assembling of + software raid arrays.
+ + +Which ways exist to boot Grml?
+ + + +Of course running from CD/DVD is a common way to boot + Grml. But Grml provides many more ways to boot:
+ +It is possible to boot Grml via USB (e.g. USB stick or + harddisk), firewire, or running from a Compact Flash disk. It + works out of the box; you don't need to modify anything. Check + out the usb + webpage in the grml-wiki for more details.
+ +Your computer can not boot from CD-ROM but provides a + floppy disk? Take a look + at btmgr, ubcd4win + or sbm. They + provide support for booting from CD-ROM via a special floppy + disk.
+ +grml-terminalserver makes it possible to boot your system + via network + using PXE + (Preboot Execution Environment). If your network card does not + provide support for booting via PXE you can still boot it + either using the provided grub image by grml-terminalserver + (for example via floppy drive) or + using gPXE. + For more information, refer to + the grml-terminalserver + webpage.
+ +How do I configure + timezone on my Grml system?
+ +Available bootoptions relevant in live-cd mode:
+ +-
+
- utc: set UTC, if your system clock is set to UTC (GMT) +
- gmt: set UTC, if your system clock is set to UTC (GMT) [like bootoption utc] +
- tz=$option: set timezone to corresponding $option, usage example: + tz=Europe/Vienna +
Further information: manpages hwclock(8), tzselect(1) and tzconfig(8); Debian + GNU/Linux System Administrator's Manual Chapter 16 - Time and TimeZoneChanges in the + Debian-Wiki.
+ +Is it possible to install Grml to harddisk?
+ +Short anwer: No.
+ +If you want to get a plain Debian system take a look at grml-debootstrap.
+ +Long(er) answer: yes it's possible to install Grml. But it's not + supported and you'll be on your own. That's why we decided to make it + not-so-obvious. If you really know what you're doing you'll find out on + your own. Reminder: use grml-debootstrap or Debian Installer instead.
+ +Software
+ +Which package(s) and which + version is available?
+ +If you want to get details about the provided packages and the + package versions without booting the Grml ISO check out the dpkg_... + files in the Debian-Information section on + grml.org/files/.
+ +Why is Zsh the default shell?
+ +Short answer: because Zsh rocks, really!
+ +Long(er) answer: If you don't know Zsh take a look the Grml Zsh reference card.
+ +If you are a Bash user and don't know Zsh yet, don't be + afraid. Bash is largely a subset of Zsh and you don't have to + throw away your knowledge about shell stuff.
+ +Support / Unanswered stuff
+ +Further questions
+ +Do you have a question which is not answered in the FAQ or + in the provided documentation (execute + "grml-info" on your Grml system for offline + documentation)? Also check out 'grml-tips $KEYWORD' on your + Grml system. Take a look at + the Grml website and the + grml-wiki. A good place to become part of the community is the Grml mailinglist.
+ +Commercial Support
+ +You want to deploy Grml in your data center, use it as part of your + business or have an emergency case? You're happy with Grml but would + like to get your very own live cd (providing your favourite software + selection, special configuration, setup and your bootsplash)? + Please get in touch with us.
+ +