gummiboot (software)
| Developer(s) | Kay Sievers, Harald Hoyer, Karel Zak |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 42 / December 21, 2013 |
| Written in | C |
| Type | UEFI bootloader |
| License | GNU LGPL |
| Website |
freedesktop |
gummiboot is an open source boot loader for systems using the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface. Developed by the Red Hat employees Kay Sievers and Harald Hoyer, it is intended to be a minimal alternative to GNU GRUB that "just works"—it automatically detects bootable images (including Linux kernel images, operating systems, and other boot loaders), does not require a configuration file, provides a basic menu interface, and can also integrate with systemd to provide performance data. Its name comes from a German word referring to an inflatable boat.[1]
gummiboot is licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License version 2.1, unlike GRUB which is licensed under the GNU General Public License version 3. This distinction is intended to allow gummiboot to be suitable for use on UEFI systems implementing "secure boot",[1] due to concerns surrounding its requirement to distribute all authorization keys (such as digital certificates.) needed to run GPL v3-licensed software if hardware restrictions such as secure boot are in effect.[2]
Despite being developed by two of its employees, Red Hat's Fedora Project does not use gummiboot for booting UEFI systems; instead, it will use efilinux to chainload GRUB.[1][2]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Gummiboot is an EFI boot loader that "just works"". The H. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Ubuntu details its UEFI secure boot plans". Linux Weekly News. Retrieved 11 September 2012.