LEAF Project
Encyclopedia
The LEAF Project is a collection of Linux distribution
s that began as a fork
from the the Linux Router Project (LRP) "linux-on-a-floppy
" distribution. Most users of these distributions are primarily interested in router and firewall functionality, particularly as combined with the convenience of major feature
s of general Linux distributions such as shells, packet filtering, SSH
servers
, DNS
services, file servers, webmin
and the like. LEAF is a common choice when commercial NAT
routers are insufficiently flexible or secure, or are unattractively nonconformant to open source
philosophy.
firewall with several ancillary services on hardware
generally considered obsolete, such as 486
workstation
s with no hard disk.
LEAF is intended to work well with read-only storage media, such as write-protected floppy drives or optical disks. Distribution sizes range from a single floppy disk to several hundred megabytes.
LEAF distributions typically include software carefully engineered to be economical in executable size, such as shorewall
, uClibc
, dropbear
and busybox
.
LEAF's origins lie in Debian
Sarge, though many boot processes and daemon
control mechanisms have been modified heavily.
Linux distribution
A Linux distribution is a member of the family of Unix-like operating systems built on top of the Linux kernel. Such distributions are operating systems including a large collection of software applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, media players, and database applications...
s that began as a fork
Fork (software development)
In software engineering, a project fork happens when developers take a legal copy of source code from one software package and start independent development on it, creating a distinct piece of software...
from the the Linux Router Project (LRP) "linux-on-a-floppy
Floppy
Floppy may refer to:* Floppy disk or floppy disk drive* Floppy disk controller* The Floppy Show* Mr. Floppy from the Sitcom Unhappily Ever After* Mr Floppy Australian rock band* Floppy a character from The Magic Key...
" distribution. Most users of these distributions are primarily interested in router and firewall functionality, particularly as combined with the convenience of major feature
Feature (software design)
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers defines the term feature in IEEE 829 as "A distinguishing characteristic of a software item ." - Feature-rich :...
s of general Linux distributions such as shells, packet filtering, SSH
Secure Shell
Secure Shell is a network protocol for secure data communication, remote shell services or command execution and other secure network services between two networked computers that it connects via a secure channel over an insecure network: a server and a client...
servers
Server (computing)
In the context of client-server architecture, a server is a computer program running to serve the requests of other programs, the "clients". Thus, the "server" performs some computational task on behalf of "clients"...
, DNS
Domain name system
The Domain Name System is a hierarchical distributed naming system for computers, services, or any resource connected to the Internet or a private network. It associates various information with domain names assigned to each of the participating entities...
services, file servers, webmin
Webmin
Webmin is a web-based system configuration tool for Unix-like systems, although recent versions can also be installed and run on Windows. With it, it is possible to configure operating system internals, such as users, disk quotas, services or configuration files, as well as modify and control open...
and the like. LEAF is a common choice when commercial NAT
Network address translation
In computer networking, network address translation is the process of modifying IP address information in IP packet headers while in transit across a traffic routing device....
routers are insufficiently flexible or secure, or are unattractively nonconformant to open source
Open source
The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...
philosophy.
Characteristics
LEAF is capable of running a powerful NATNetwork address translation
In computer networking, network address translation is the process of modifying IP address information in IP packet headers while in transit across a traffic routing device....
firewall with several ancillary services on hardware
Hardware
Hardware is a general term for equipment such as keys, locks, hinges, latches, handles, wire, chains, plumbing supplies, tools, utensils, cutlery and machine parts. Household hardware is typically sold in hardware stores....
generally considered obsolete, such as 486
486
Year 486 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Basilius and Longinus...
workstation
Workstation
A workstation is a high-end microcomputer designed for technical or scientific applications. Intended primarily to be used by one person at a time, they are commonly connected to a local area network and run multi-user operating systems...
s with no hard disk.
LEAF is intended to work well with read-only storage media, such as write-protected floppy drives or optical disks. Distribution sizes range from a single floppy disk to several hundred megabytes.
LEAF distributions typically include software carefully engineered to be economical in executable size, such as shorewall
Shorewall
Shorewall is an open source firewall tool for Linux that builds upon the Netfilter system built into the Linux kernel, making it easier to manage more complex configuration schemes....
, uClibc
UClibc
In computing, uClibc is a small C standard library intended for embedded Linux systems. uClibc was created to support uClinux, a version of Linux not requiring a memory management unit and thus suited for microcontrollers .The project lead is Erik Andersen. The other main contributor is Manuel...
, dropbear
Dropbear (software)
Dropbear is a software package written by Matt Johnston that provides a Secure Shell-compatible server and client. It is designed for environments with low memory and processor resources, such as embedded systems.- Technology :...
and busybox
BusyBox
BusyBox provides several stripped-down Unix tools in a single executable. It runs in a variety of POSIX environments such as Linux, Android, FreeBSD and others, such as proprietary kernels, although many of the tools it provides are designed to work with interfaces provided by the Linux kernel. It...
.
LEAF's origins lie in Debian
Debian
Debian is a computer operating system composed of software packages released as free and open source software primarily under the GNU General Public License along with other free software licenses. Debian GNU/Linux, which includes the GNU OS tools and Linux kernel, is a popular and influential...
Sarge, though many boot processes and daemon
Daemon (computer software)
In Unix and other multitasking computer operating systems, a daemon is a computer program that runs as a background process, rather than being under the direct control of an interactive user...
control mechanisms have been modified heavily.