Libreboot Explained

Libreboot
Logo Alt:Graphic of Canteloupe, Libreboot's mascot, which is a running deer in black and white.
Logo Size:120px
Author:Leah Rowe
Developer:Leah Rowe
Programming Language:C, Shell, Python
Genre:Open-source firmware
License:GNU General Public License, version 3

Libreboot (briefly known as GNU Libreboot[1] [2]) is a free software project based on coreboot, aimed at replacing some of the proprietary BIOS firmware contained in some computers, though does require certain vendor code on some platforms as that code may not have been replaced with libre software. Libreboot is a lightweight system designed to perform tasks necessary to load and run a 32-bit or 64-bit operating system.

Characteristics

Libreboot is established as a distribution of coreboot, but with some[3] proprietary binary blobs removed from coreboot.[4] Libreboot makes coreboot easy to use by automating the build and installation processes.[5] [6]

On some devices, Libreboot developers have reverse engineered the firmware from Intel and created a utility to create a free firmware that meets the specifications from Intel.[7] Hardware support includes but is not limited to the ASUS KGPE-D16,[8] ThinkPad T400,[9] [10] X60 and X200.[11] Libreboot is officially endorsed by the upstream coreboot project.[12]

History

The Libreboot project was started in December 2013 as a distribution of coreboot, which excludes non-free binary blobs. Coreboot began as LinuxBIOS in 1999 at Los Alamos National Labs (LANL), and was renamed "coreboot" in 2008.

Libreboot has been endorsed by the Free Software Foundation, and was an official part of the GNU Project since May 2016. In January 2017, the project's maintainer Leah Rowe pulled Libreboot from the GNU Project, after a months-long dispute with the Free Software Foundation which oversees GNU.[13] [14]

Reception

In 2015, Kyle Rankin stated in Linux Journal that Libreboot "greatly simplified and automated" the flashing process, "with a few caveats".[15] [16] In 2016, Bryan Cockfield stated in Hackaday that Libreboot installation was "harrowing" and "not as easy as you'd think".[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 22 May 2016. List of GNU software packages on 22 May 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160522044936/https://www.gnu.org/software/. 22 May 2016. 22 August 2016. GNU project.
  2. Web site: [Libreboot] GNU Libreboot, version 20160818 released]. 2021-08-22. lists.gnu.org. 18 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191018041811/https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/libreboot/2016-08/msg00040.html. live.
  3. Web site: 2023-11-01 . Binary Blob Reduction Policy . 2023-11-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231101164256/https://libreboot.org/news/policy.html . 1 November 2023 .
  4. Web site: Bärwaldt. Erik. Liberated » Linux Magazine. live. 2021-08-22. Linux Magazine. en-US. 22 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210822203232/https://www.linux-magazine.com/Issues/2018/210/Free-Firmware-with-Libreboot.
  5. Web site: Bryan. Cockfield. 2016-12-16. Harrowing Story Of Installing Libreboot On ThinkPad. live. 2021-08-22. Hackaday. en-US. 7 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210907074125/https://hackaday.com/2016/12/16/installing-libreboot/.
  6. Web site: Nardi. Tom. 2018-08-20. Installing LibreBoot The (Very) Lazy Way. live. 2021-08-22. Hackaday. en-US. 24 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201124042859/https://hackaday.com/2018/08/20/installing-libreboot-the-very-lazy-way/.
  7. Web site: Vaughan-Nichols. Steven J.. Taurinus X200: Now the most 'Free Software' laptop on the planet. live. 2021-09-06. ZDNet. en. 26 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210826133134/https://www.zdnet.com/article/a-new-free-software-laptop-arrives/.
  8. Web site: Minifree Ltd.'s GNU+Linux Computers . 2023-05-02 . Linux Journal.
  9. Web site: Biggs . John . 2017-08-11 . The Minifree Libreboot T400 is free as in freedom . 2023-05-02 . . en-US.
  10. Web site: Benchoff . Brian . 2016-10-28 . Apple Sucks Now, Here’s A ThinkPad Buyer’s Guide . 2023-05-02 . . en-US.
  11. Web site: Flash ROMs with a Raspberry Pi . 2023-05-03 . Linux Journal.
  12. Web site: coreboot for end users . 2023-06-25 . coreboot.org.
  13. Web site: Hall . Christine . 2017-01-06 . GNU Officially Boots Libreboot . 2023-06-07 . FOSS Force . en-US . https://web.archive.org/web/20240506202851/https://fossforce.com/2017/01/gnu-officially-boots-libreboot/ . 6 May 2024 .
  14. Web site: Hall . Christine . 2016-09-16 . Libreboot Leaves GNU Claiming Gender Identity Discrimination by FSF . 2023-06-07 . FOSS Force . en-US . https://web.archive.org/web/20240506202329/https://fossforce.com/2016/09/libreboot-leaves-gnu-claiming-gender-identity-discrimination-fsf/ . 6 May 2024 .
  15. Web site: Rankin . Kyle . September 28, 2015 . Libreboot on an X60, Part I: the Setup . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210822203226/https://www.linuxjournal.com/content/libreboot-x60-part-i-setup . 22 August 2021 . 2021-08-22 . Linux Journal.
  16. Web site: Rankin . Kyle . October 28, 2015 . Libreboot on an x60, Part II: the Installation . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210822203221/https://www.linuxjournal.com/content/libreboot-x60-part-ii-installation . 22 August 2021 . 2021-08-22 . Linux Journal.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Libreboot".

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