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DRBL

drbl.org

Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted
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Spec score 7.8 #11 of 29 in OS Deployment Software

What it is

DRBL deploys GNU/Linux from one server to many client machines. Clients can boot through PXE or etherboot in a diskless or systemless environment, so GNU/Linux need not be installed on each client drive. DRBL says clients can use distributed hardware resources while retaining full local-hardware access, and that other installed systems such as Windows remain untouched. Clonezilla is included for partitioning and disk cloning. Commands can change boot modes, copy files, manage user accounts and issue instructions across clients. DRBL uses PXE/etherboot, NFS and NIS for network services and supports network and multicast deployment. The free, open-source software is intended for Linux and self-hosted setups. Its installation guide supports Debian Bullseye and Buster, Ubuntu Jammy and Focal, CentOS 7, Scientific Linux 7.x and RHEL 7.x; other distributions or versions will not work. DRBL Live is available for CD/DVD or USB and hard drives in amd64, i686-pae and i686 formats.

Spec sheet

Purpose
DRBL manages deployment of the GNU/Linux operating system across many clients from one server.Read 8 Oct 2026 · drbl.org
Support
The installation guide directs users to report bugs by generating a drbl-bug-report report and emailing the DRBL user mailing list or posting in the DRBL forum.Read 8 Oct 2026 · drbl.org
Checksum availability
The DRBL Live download pages provide MD5, SHA1, SHA256, and SHA512 checksums for listed images.Read 8 Oct 2026 · drbl.org
Client hardware
DRBL says its clients use distributed hardware resources and can fully access local hardware.Read 8 Oct 2026 · drbl.org
Diskless clients
DRBL provides a diskless or systemless environment in which clients can boot over PXE/etherboot without installing GNU/Linux on each client hard drive.Read 8 Oct 2026 · drbl.org
Experimental feature
The SAN boot instructions describe Microsoft Windows SAN booting on DRBL as experimental.Read 8 Oct 2026 · drbl.org
Imaging
DRBL includes Clonezilla, described as a partitioning and disk cloning utility.Read 8 Oct 2026 · drbl.org
Installation complexity
The installation guide says setting up DRBL on GNU/Linux is a little complicated for a beginner.Read 8 Oct 2026 · drbl.org
Live architectures
The download page lists amd64, i686-pae, and i686 architectures for DRBL Live.Read 8 Oct 2026 · drbl.org
Live formats
DRBL Live is offered as an ISO for CD/DVD or a ZIP file for USB flash or hard drives.Read 8 Oct 2026 · drbl.org
Management commands
DRBL commands can switch client boot modes, copy files to clients, manage user accounts, and issue commands to all clients.Read 8 Oct 2026 · drbl.org
Network services
DRBL uses PXE/etherboot, NFS, and NIS to provide services to client machines.Read 8 Oct 2026 · drbl.org
Supported server distributions
The installation guide lists Debian Bullseye and Buster, Ubuntu Jammy and Focal, CentOS 7, Scientific Linux 7.x, and RHEL 7.x, and says other distributions or versions will not work.Read 8 Oct 2026 · drbl.org
Windows coexistence
DRBL says it does not touch client hard drives, so other installed operating systems such as Windows are unaffected.Read 8 Oct 2026 · drbl.org

Plans and prices

DRBL Free Free software, open source solution Read 8 Oct 2026 · drbl.org

Every DRBL plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Diskless PXE or etherboot client startup
  • Clients retain access to local hardware
  • Clonezilla included for disk imaging
  • Network and multicast deployment
  • Free, open-source software

Limits

  • Supported server distributions are limited
  • Other distributions or versions will not work
  • Installation can be complicated for beginners
  • Microsoft Windows SAN boot is experimental

Who it suits

DRBL suits administrators deploying GNU/Linux across multiple clients from a central server. It is relevant when diskless booting, multicast deployment or preserving existing client systems matters.

Verdict

DRBL provides centralized, network-based Linux deployment with diskless clients and Clonezilla integration. Review the supported distribution list and installation complexity before adopting it.

Where Specifiction places it

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