[Clfs-dev] Grub2 vs Extlinux

[Joe Ciccone]

On 01/30/2011 07:19 PM, db m wrote:
> Joe --
>
>   I'm just about to do a multilib build, so I'm glad to spot this -- tbh, I still prefer
> lilo (but that's just me being old-dog) -- wrt this below, I think possibly I look 
> at this aspect...
>
> Grub2 Cons >To compile font files, freetype would have to be added to the book
>
> versus
>
> Extlinux Cons > May require nasm 
>
> Either, may require an addition to the book....and if that were so, I think the base
> might tolerate nasm, but freetype? ...personally I think that freetype should be 
> outside base (always ;)
>   
Currently we get away with leaving freetype out, but the cost is not
being able to use the vbe module from grub2. Similarly, I believe that
nasm is used primarily with the gfxboot module from syslinux, which is a
more advanced graphical front end. It's like trying to decide witch is
the better evil.
> If then you look at the situation with fb0 devices. PXE nuances etc...at the cost of
> a small learning curve, Extlinux sits with me as 'the better choice' here...
>   
Syslinux certaintly does seem like the more scalable approach, it can
boot everything from CDs to HDDs to Memory Sticks, and in combining it
w/ Plop you could get EHCI support at the bootloader level. (Note: I've
only read about this. Haven't actually done it yet.)

These were just a few of the pros/cons I could think of, If anyone else
has some thoughts chip in. So far extlinux is winning out in my head.

After thinking about it some more, I think I want to move the automated
grub2 menu generation to a con. Call it not liking automation, but it
also makes a nasty layout.
> /2cents
>
> Don
>
> ----------------------------------------
>   
>> Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2011 13:46:33 -0500
>> From: jciccone at gmail.com
>> To: clfs-dev at lists.cross-lfs.org
>> Subject: [Clfs-dev] Grub2 vs Extlinux
>>
>> Both Grub2 and Extlinux have their merit. In the past I've defended
>> GRUB. After upgrading to GRUB2 I'm starting to question if my arguments
>> for keeping grub were well founded. I wanted to weigh the pros and cons
>> between grub2 and extlinux. And determine what would be the better
>> bootloader. A few people have suggested that the book go the extlinux
>> route now. Any opinions on the matter?
>>
>> In the end, I like both bootloaders. extlinux is probably more versatile
>> in the sense that it can optionally have a menu or not. And how fancy
>> you get is simply up to how complex you want to make your configuration.
>> I don't see how either one would be more complicated to configure.
>>
>> Grub2 Pros:
>> Supports x86, x86_64, and x86_64-64.
>> Automated configuration (Mixed feelings on this, I almost consider it
>> a con)
>> Automated MBR Installer
>>
>> Grub2 Cons:
>> Issues with framebuffers, I have yet to get this to work predictably
>> across a range of systems.
>> To compile font files, freetype would have to be added to the book, or
>> a link to cblfs.
>>
>> Extlinux Pros
>> Supports x86, x86_64, and x86_64-64
>> Supports a wide range of modules
>> Much better PXE support for booting.
>>
>> Extlinux Cons
>> May require nasm (I believe only for one of the modules)
>> Possibly some users not as familiar with it
>> Ext{2,3,4} /boot only (Not sure about anyone else, but I only use ext2
>> for /boot).
>>
>> Penny for your thoughts?
>>
>> --
>> Joe Ciccone
>>
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-- 
Joe Ciccone