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SPECIFICTION
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CDEmu

cdemu.sourceforge.io

Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted
Visit cdemu.sourceforge.io
Spec score 8.1 #7 of 24 in Virtual Drive Software

What it is

CDEmu emulates optical drives and discs on Linux, including CD-ROM and DVD-ROM media. Its kernel module provides a virtual SCSI host adapter that connects the Linux kernel with a userspace daemon, while libMirage gives access to many optical image formats, including MDS, CUE, BIN, ISO, NRG, UDF, DMG, CSO, GZ, DAA, and ISZ. Emulated media can be mounted in Linux, with automounting available. The project also describes experimental CD-R and DVD+R recording emulation, allowing blank virtual discs to be written with disc-burning software. Users can load and unload devices, check device status, and manage debug masks through command-line or GTK clients. The daemon exposes methods over D-BUS and can register on the session or system bus. System-bus use needs special permissions; session-bus use requires read and write access to the VHBA control device. CDEmu is free under the GNU GPL version 2 or later. The project lists official source tarballs and Linux distribution packages; third-party packages are not verified or formally supported.

Spec sheet

Purpose
CDEmu is a software suite designed to emulate an optical drive and disc, including CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs, on Linux.Read 5 Oct 2026 · cdemu.sourceforge.io
Integrations
The GTK client can send daemon and device status change notifications via libnotify when its Python bindings are installed.Read 5 Oct 2026 · cdemu.sourceforge.io
Support
The project directs users to its support request tracker and mailing list for issues, suggestions and other feedback.Read 5 Oct 2026 · cdemu.sourceforge.io
License
CDEmu is licensed under the GNU GPL version 2 or later.Read 5 Oct 2026 · cdemu.sourceforge.io
Founded
2003Read 28 Sep 2026 · cdemu.sourceforge.io
Clients
CDEmu provides a command-line client and a GTK client for loading and unloading devices, viewing device status and managing debug masks.Read 5 Oct 2026 · cdemu.sourceforge.io
Daemon interface
The daemon exposes methods over D-BUS and can register on either the session bus or system bus.Read 5 Oct 2026 · cdemu.sourceforge.io
Disc recording
The project says its daemon has experimental emulation of CD-R and DVD+R recording, allowing blank virtual discs to be written with CD/DVD burning software.Read 5 Oct 2026 · cdemu.sourceforge.io
Downloads
The project lists official source tarballs for its core software, client applications and image analyzer, along with packages from several Linux distribution repositories.Read 5 Oct 2026 · cdemu.sourceforge.io
Image formats
libMirage lists support for formats including MDS, MDX, CCD, CUE, BIN, TOC, CDI, ISO, NRG, UDF, DMG, CSO, GZ, DAA and ISZ.Read 5 Oct 2026 · cdemu.sourceforge.io
Image library
libMirage provides uniform access to data in optical disc image formats and supports both CD-ROM and DVD-ROM images.Read 5 Oct 2026 · cdemu.sourceforge.io
Security and permissions
The project documents that system-bus use requires special permissions and its installed D-BUS configuration allows root by default; session-bus use requires read and write access to the VHBA control device.Read 5 Oct 2026 · cdemu.sourceforge.io
Third-party packages
The project says third-party distribution packages are not verified by its maintainers and are not formally supported.Read 5 Oct 2026 · cdemu.sourceforge.io
Virtual drive
The suite includes a kernel module that provides a virtual SCSI host adapter linking the userspace daemon with the Linux kernel.Read 5 Oct 2026 · cdemu.sourceforge.io
Virtual media
Optical media emulated by CDEmu can be mounted within Linux, and automounting is allowed.Read 5 Oct 2026 · cdemu.sourceforge.io

Plans and prices

CDEmu Free GPL v2 or later · Linux optical drive and disc emulator Read 5 Oct 2026 · cdemu.sourceforge.io

Every CDEmu plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Mounts emulated optical media in Linux
  • Supports CD-ROM and DVD-ROM images
  • Offers command-line and GTK clients
  • Free under GNU GPL version 2 or later

Limits

  • Recording emulation is experimental
  • System-bus use requires special permissions
  • Third-party packages are not formally supported

Who it suits

CDEmu suits Linux users who need to mount optical disc images or manage virtual drives. Users considering recording emulation should note that CD-R and DVD+R support is experimental.

Verdict

CDEmu covers virtual optical drives, image access, and mounting on Linux, with both command-line and GTK controls. Check the bus permissions and experimental status of recording support before relying on those functions.

Where Specifiction places it

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