[Clfs-dev] Grub2 vs Extlinux

[Jim Gifford]

On 2/3/2011 5:41 AM, Joe Ciccone wrote:
> 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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>>> Clfs-dev at lists.cross-lfs.org
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>>>
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>
Remember I posted this years ago.

http://trac.cross-lfs.org/wiki/bootloaders/syslinux