C.H.A.O.S. Linux

C.H.A.O.S. Linux is an open source and freely distributed operating system specifically designed for cluster computing and based on the powerful Arch Linux operating system. It's a server oriented OS that has no display server or graphical environment.

Availability, boot options, supported architectures

Just like Arch Linux, this distro is available for download as a single, dual-arch ISO image of approximately 600MB in size, which means that it can be burned onto a CD disc or written on a USB flash drive of 1GB or higher capacity.

The boot loader is very similar with the one used on the Arch Linux ISO image, allowing users to start the live environment in the 64-bit or 32-bit mode, boot an existing OS from the first disk, run a memory diagnostic test using the Memtest86+ utility, view details about the hardware components of your computer, as well as to reboot or shutdown the machine.

A distro for operating a cluster in a short time as possible

This Arch Linux based distro has been created with a single purpose in mind, to make operating a cluster in a short time as possible. However, similar to the original Arch Linux distribution, it must be installed manually on a local disk, but using a custom text-mode installer that will make things a lot easier.

The entire installation process should take no more than ten minutes. Key features include a fast and easy-to-use installation, modular system, wide availability of software packages using Arch's user repository (AUR), a Spartan interface, low resource consumption, and absolutely no bloatware.

Bottom line

Summing up, C.H.A.O.S. Linux is an operating system for professionals, optimized to be fast and minimal, but at the same time complete and modular. Another strong point of C.H.A.O.S. is security, which means that your cluster will be protected both internally and externally thanks to some of the most powerful authentication methods.