DRBL

What DRBL is

DRBL is free, open-source software for managing GNU/Linux deployment across many client machines from one server. It can set up diskless or systemless clients that boot over PXE or etherboot, so GNU/Linux does not need to be installed on each client hard drive. DRBL says clients can use distributed hardware resources while keeping full access to their local hardware. It also says the software does not alter client hard drives, leaving other installed operating systems such as Windows unaffected. The package includes Clonezilla for partitioning and disk cloning. Administrators can use DRBL commands to change client boot modes, copy files to clients, manage user accounts, and send commands to all clients. Its network services use PXE/etherboot, NFS, and NIS, and it supports network and multicast deployment. Server installation is limited to the distributions and versions named in its guide: Debian Bullseye and Buster, Ubuntu Jammy and Focal, CentOS 7, Scientific Linux 7.x, and RHEL 7.x. The guide says other distributions or versions will not work and cautions that installation can be complicated for beginners. DRBL Live is available as an ISO for CD/DVD or a ZIP for USB flash drives or hard drives, with amd64, i686-pae, and i686 builds.

Who it suits

DRBL suits administrators who need to deploy or manage GNU/Linux across multiple clients from a central server. It is a fit for environments that can use its listed server distributions and are comfortable with a setup the guide describes as complicated for beginners.

Limits

DRBL is free software. Server installation is supported only on Debian Bullseye or Buster, Ubuntu Jammy or Focal, CentOS 7, Scientific Linux 7.x, or RHEL 7.x; the guide says other distributions or versions will not work.

Getting started

1. Visit https://drbl.org/ and select the installation or DRBL Live instructions.
2. For a server installation, use one of the listed supported distributions and versions.
3. For DRBL Live, choose an ISO for CD/DVD or a ZIP for USB flash or hard drives.
4. Select the listed amd64, i686-pae, or i686 image that fits the intended architecture.
5. Use the provided checksums to verify a downloaded DRBL Live image.

Verdict

Choose DRBL if you need free, open-source tools to deploy and manage GNU/Linux clients over a network from one server. Look elsewhere if your server runs a distribution or version outside those listed in the installation guide, or if you need a beginner-friendly setup.