SFS-KNOPPIX

Dear,

We customize a KNOPPIX which uses cloop file (compressed loop back
device which stores root file system of KNOPPIX) on SFS
(Self-certifying File System) via Internet. We call it "SFS-KNOPPIX".

SFS-KNOPPIX requires small boot loader (20MB image) only and offers
full KNOPPIX functions, Autoconfig, etc. The root file system is
obtained via Internet with SFS.
SFS-KNOPPIX makes possible to change a cloop file at boot time. It
means we don't need to burn extra CD for many KNOPPIX offshoots.

SFS-KNOPPIX has three boot variations; CD-boot, USB-Memory-boot and coLinux. 

The detail is described in the following Home Page.
     http://unit.aist.go.jp/it/knoppix/sfs/index-en.html

Please try if you are interested. And tell me the boot time. We want to 
know the effect of network latency. The boot time was around 3 minutes 
in Japan.

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The summary of benefits is as follows.

1. SFS-KNOPPIX enables to use many KNOPPIX offshoots with only one
   CD-ROM. It enables to select a cloop file at boot time.
2. Network traffic is reduced.
  2.1 The Download image of SFS-KNOPPIX is only 20MB, although normal
      KNOPPIX is 700MB.
  2.2 After boot, only necessary cloop blocks are downloaded. The blocks
      are compressed.
  2.3 It requires 50MB download to boot KDE window manager. 
3. SFS-KNOPPIX is compatible for normal KNOPPIX. (CD and USB boot version only) 
  3.1 It uses same kernel version and cloop file. AutoConfig loads same 
      device drivers. 
  3.4 Hard Disk installer works in the same manner. 
4. On USB version. It does not required to burn a CD-ROM. 
  4.1 The bootability is depend on BIOS on each PC. 
5. On coLinux version. It can boot with any cloop file, because coLinux
  is independent form device drivers.
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suzaki