View source for Knoppix

{{Short description|Linux operating system}}

{{Infobox OS
| name = KNOPPIX
| logo = Knoppix logo.svg
| logo size = 150px
| screenshot = VirtualBox KNOPPIX Desktop GER 26 01 2021 20 20 47.png <!-- Do NOT change the screenshot unless there is BIG change in the UI. When taking a screenshot, please resize your window (e.g. 640×480), disable your extensions and use the default theme. -->
| caption = KNOPPIX 8.6
| developer = [[Klaus Knopper]]
| family = [[Linux]] ([[Unix-like]])
| source_model = [[Open-source software|Open source]]
| released = {{Start date and age|2000|09|30|df=y}}
| working_state = Current
| latest release version = {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q102410|P348|P548=Q2804309}}
| latest release date = {{Start date and age|{{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q102410|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}}}}
| language = [[German language|German]] and [[English language|English]]
| kernel_type = [[Monolithic kernel|Monolithic]] ([[Linux kernel|Linux]])
| userland = [[GNU Core Utilities|GNU]]
| ui = [[LXDE]]
| updatemodel = [[Long-term support|LTS]]
| package_manager = [[APT (software)|APT]] (frontend); [[dpkg]] (maintenance)
| license = [[Free software]] licenses<br />(mainly [[GPL]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.knoppix.org/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020719082449/http://www.knoppix.org/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2002-07-19 |title=KNOPPIX Linux Live CD: What license does the KNOPPIX-CD use? |access-date=2007-07-16 }}</ref>
| website = {{official url}}
}}

'''Knoppix''', stylized '''KNOPPIX''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|n|ɒ|p|ɪ|k|s}} {{respell|KNOP|iks}}),<ref>[http://lists.debian.org/debian-knoppix/2003/01/msg00173.html Two Weughty<!-- sic --> Questions] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114201110/http://lists.debian.org/debian-knoppix/2003/01/msg00173.html |date=2009-01-14 }} on Debian newsgroup post</ref> is an [[operating system]] based on [[Debian]] designed to be run directly from a [[CD]] or [[DVD]] ([[Live CD]]) or a [[USB flash drive]] ([[Live USB]]). It was first released in 2000 by German [[Linux]] consultant [[Klaus Knopper]],<ref>{{cite web |author=Knopper, Klaus |date=2000-10-10 |title=Building a self-contained auto-configuring Linux system on an iso9660 filesystem |url=https://www.usenix.org/legacy/publications/library/proceedings/als00/2000papers/papers/knopper.html |series=4th Annual Linux Showcase & Conference |publisher=[[USENIX]] |place=Atlanta, Georgia}}</ref> and was one of the first popular live distributions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-05-18 |title=Introduction to Knoppix |url=https://uk.pcmag.com/help/96660/introduction-to-knoppix |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=PCMag UK |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Linuxiac |first=Team |date=2020-10-01 |title=Happy 20th Birthday, Knoppix! |url=https://linuxiac.com/happy-20th-birthday-knoppix/ |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=Linuxiac |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tails - Celebrating 10 years of Tails! |url=https://tails.net/news/celebrating_10_years/ |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=tails.net}}</ref> Knoppix is loaded from the removable medium and decompressed into a [[RAM drive]]. The decompression is [[transparency (human-computer interaction)|transparent]] and [[On the fly#Computer usage|on-the-fly]].

There are two main editions, available in both English and German: the traditional compact-disc (700 [[megabyte]]s) edition and the DVD (4.7 [[gigabyte]]s) "Maxi" edition.

Knoppix mostly consists of [[free and open source software]], but also includes some [[proprietary software]], as long as it fulfills certain conditions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://knoppix.net/wiki/General_FAQ#Q:_Why_is_my_favourite_software_xyz_not_present_on_the_CD.3F|title=General FAQ|access-date=26 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527003136/http://knoppix.net/wiki/General_FAQ#Q:_Why_is_my_favourite_software_xyz_not_present_on_the_CD.3F|archive-date=27 May 2015}}</ref> Knoppix can be used to copy files easily from hard drives with inaccessible operating systems. To quickly and more safely use Linux software, the Live CD can be used instead of installing another OS.

== Contents ==
[[Image:KNOPPIX booting.png|thumb|The classic Knoppix start-up process]]
More than 1000 software packages are included on the CD edition, and more than 2600 packages are included on the DVD edition. Up to nine gigabytes can be stored on the DVD in [[data compression|compressed]] form. These packages include:

* [[LXDE]], a lightweight [[X11]] [[desktop environment]]; default since Knoppix 6.0 and later
* [[MPlayer]], with [[MP3]] audio, and [[Ogg Vorbis]] audio playback support
* [[Internet access]] software, including the [[WvDial|KPPP]] dialer and [[Integrated Services Digital Network|ISDN]] utilities
* The [[Mozilla Firefox]] web browser
* The [[Mozilla Thunderbird]] e-mail client
* [[GIMP]], an image manipulation program
* Tools for data rescue and system repair
* Network analysis and administration tools
* [[LibreOffice]], a comprehensive [[office suite]]
* [[Terminal server]]

== Hardware requirements ==
Minimum hardware requirements for Knoppix:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.knopper.net/knoppix-info/index-en.html#requirements |title=KNOPPIX - Live Linux Filesystem On CD |publisher=knopper.net |access-date=26 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503054636/http://www.knopper.net/knoppix-info/index-en.html#requirements |archive-date=3 May 2018 }}</ref>

* [[Intel]]/[[AMD]]-compatible processor (i486 or later)
* Minimum [[Random-access memory|RAM]] memory requirements:
**32 MB for text mode;
**Live environment with no swap:
***512MB for graphics mode with just [[LXDE]]
***1GB to use the web browser and productivity software
***2GB recommended
* Bootable optical drive:
** DVD-ROM for current versions;
** CD-ROM for version 7.2 and older, or a boot floppy and standard CD-ROM (IDE/ATAPI or SCSI)
* Standard SVGA-compatible graphics card
* Serial or [[PS/2 port|PS/2]] standard mouse, or an IMPS/2-compatible USB-mouse.

== Saving changes in the environment ==
Prior to Knoppix 3.8.2, any documents or settings a user created would disappear upon reboot. This lack of persistence then made it necessary to save documents directly to a hard drive partition, over the network, or to some [[removable media]], such as a USB flash drive.

It was also possible to set up a "persistent home directory", where any documents or settings written to the user's home directory would automatically be redirected to a hard drive or removable media, which could be automatically [[Mount point|mounted]] on bootup. A single file, ''knoppix.img'', was cached on the rewritable media and used to simulate a file system into which files were written for later use. This allowed the user to transparently write to their home directory.

[[Union mount]] support was added in version 3.8.1 through [[UnionFS]]. This was later replaced by [[Aufs]] in 5.1.0 to improve stability.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://knopper.net/knoppix/knoppix51-en.html|title=KNOPPIX 5.1 - Live Linux Filesystem On CD|access-date=26 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511123911/http://knopper.net/knoppix/knoppix51-en.html|archive-date=11 May 2015}}</ref> The union mount allowed virtual updates to the data on the read-only CD/DVD media by storing changes on separate writable media and then representing the combination of the two as single [[Computer data storage|storage device]]. The writable media could be memory ([[ramdisk]]), a hard disk, USB flash drive, etc. This means that the user could modify the software installed on the Knoppix system, such as by using [[Advanced Packaging Tool|APT]] to install or update software. The storage device containing the changes needed to be present whenever Knoppix is started, else only the original data from the disc would be used. While Knoppix would scan available storage devices for a persistent home directory by default, a user could dictate a specific location with a boot option ([[#Boot options|see below]]) such as:

<code>home=/dev/hda1/knoppix.img</code><ref name="Cheat codes">{{cite web|url=http://knoppix.net/wiki/Cheat_Codes|title=Cheat Codes|access-date=26 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627173504/http://knoppix.net/wiki/Cheat_Codes|archive-date=27 June 2015}}</ref>

By carrying a Knoppix CD and a USB flash drive, a user could have the same environment, programs, settings, and data available on any computer that could run Knoppix.

This functionality was only available through Knoppix 5.1.1 (CD release) or 5.3.1 (DVD release). Subsequently, the Live CD paradigm has transformed into portable operating systems that run on external storage.

== Boot options ==
When using Knoppix as a Live CD, one can use boot options, also known as "cheatcodes", to override a default setting or automatic hardware detection when it fails. For example, the user may wish to boot into a plain console, or proceed without SCSI support. For this, Knoppix allows the user to enter one or more cheat codes at the prompt before booting. If the user does not enter a cheat code, or does not press any key before the timeout, Knoppix will boot with its default options. For example, to set the language to French rather than the default, one would type:

<code>knoppix lang=fr</code><ref name="Cheat codes"/>

Knoppix is a [[32-bit]] [[Debian]] Linux based distro, but recent releases (including the latest version 7.6) have also been equipped with a [[64-bit computing|64-bit]] kernel on the DVD edition, where it will automatically boot up for 64-bit computers, or by using the boot option <code>knoppix64</code> manually in the command-line prompt, while <code>knoppix</code> will boot up the 32-bit kernel. Neither PAE nor 64-bit applications are supported by Knoppix, and more than 4GB of system memory can only be used with a 64-bit kernel.

The DVD edition of Knoppix can also be loaded onto a USB flash drive, with ''flash-knoppix'' under the Knoppix system, such that "the KNOPPIX Live System starts and runs about factor 5 faster from USB flash disk than from CD or DVD!".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://knopper.net/knoppix/knoppix760-en.html|title=KNOPPIX 7.6.0 / ADRIANE 1.7 - Live DVD|last=|website=knopper.net|access-date=4 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004003927/http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/knoppix760-en.html|archive-date=4 October 2017}}</ref> Besides that, the experimental [[UEFI]] support is provided for USB flash drive rather than DVD media. 32-bit UEFI firmware can only boot up the 32-bit kernel, while 64-bit UEFI firmware can only boot up the 64-bit kernel. The text interface for UEFI is similar with it for BIOS, one can also press key F2 and F3 to access information on boot options.

== Popularity ==
Knoppix was one of the first Live CD Linux distributions to gain popularity<ref>{{cite web|url=http://polishlinux.org/choose/live-cd/|title=polishlinux.org » Live CD|author=Borys Musielak|access-date=26 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527000854/http://polishlinux.org/choose/live-cd/|archive-date=27 May 2015}}</ref> (just after [[Yggdrasil Linux/GNU/X|Yggdrasil Linux]]). There are several factors that contribute to the popularity of Knoppix:

* Knoppix was one of the first Live CDs available, and is known as the "original" Debian-based Live CD
* Its extensive hardware detection allows most systems to start Knoppix without any configuration
* Its ability to automatically connect to most kinds of [[Computer network|networks]]{{Citation needed|date=December 2012}}
* Its utilities for system repair and troubleshooting

Knoppix works on a fairly large number of PCs or laptops, but not all. The automatic hardware detection cannot cope with all hardware, and sometimes the drivers used will not be optimal. Knoppix has difficulty recognizing some cards made before 1998, or motherboards with a BIOS made before 2002. (In some cases, manual configuration with codes entered at boot time can overcome problems with automatic detection.){{Citation needed|date=December 2012}}

If a PC does not have enough RAM to run KDE and other included programs, the legacy Knoppix (earlier than 6.0) boots up a very limited [[twm|Tab Window Manager]] (twm) session instead. The only window running in the twm session by default is xterm.{{Citation needed|date=December 2012}}

== Versions ==
<!--VERSION INFO FROM http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=knoppix-->
{| class="wikitable sortable" align=right style="margin-top:0px; margin-left:8px;"
|+Knoppix version history
|-
! style="width:115px;" |Version
! Release date
! CD
! DVD
|-
| 1.4
| 2000-09-30
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 1.6
| 2001-04-26
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 2.1
| 2002-03-14
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|- 
| 2.2
| 2002-05-14
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 3.1
| 2002-10-01
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 3.2
| 2003-06-16
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 3.3
| 2003-09-22
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 3.4
| 2004-05-17
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 3.5 [[LinuxTag]] version 
| 2004-06
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 3.6
| 2004-08-16
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 3.7
| 2004-12-09
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 3.8 [[CeBIT]] version 
| 2005-02-28
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 3.8.1
| 2005-04-08
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 3.8.2<ref>[https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,1819549,00.asp Introduction to Knoppix | PCMag.com]</ref>
| 2005-05-12
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 3.9
| 2005-06-01
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 4.0 LinuxTag version 
| 2005-06-22
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 4.0 updated
| 2005-08-16
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 4.0.2
| 2005-09-23
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 5.0 CeBIT version 
| 2006-02-25
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 5.0.1
| 2006-06-02
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 5.1.0
| 2006-12-30
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 5.1.1
| 2007-01-04
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 5.2 CeBIT version 
| 2007-03
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 5.3 CeBIT version 
| 2008-02-12
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 5.3.1 
| 2008-03-26
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| ADRIANE 
|-
| 6.0.0 
| 2009-01-28
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 6.0.1 
| 2009-02-08
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 6.1 CeBIT version
| 2009-02-25
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 6.2 / ADRIANE 1.2 
| 2009-11-18
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 6.2.1
| 2010-01-31
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 6.3 CeBIT version
| 2010-03-02
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 6.4.3
| 2010-12-20
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 6.4.4
| 2011-02-01
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 6.5 CeBIT version
| 2011-03
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 6.7.0
| 2011-08-03
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 6.7.1
| 2011-09-16
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 7.0.1
| 2012-05-24
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 7.0.2
| 2012-05-30
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 7.0.3
| 2012-07-01
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 7.0.4
| 2012-08-20
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 7.0.5
| 2012-12-21
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 7.2.0
| 2013-06-24
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 7.4.0
| 2014-08-07
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 7.4.1
| 2014-09-15
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 7.4.2
| 2014-09-28
| {{no}}
| {{yes}} 
|-
| 7.5 CeBIT version
| 2015-03-16
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 7.6.0
| 2015-11-21
| {{no}}
| {{yes}} 
|-
| 7.6.1
| 2016-01-16
| {{no}}
| {{yes}} 
|-
| 7.7.0 CeBIT version
| 2016-03-14
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
| 7.7.1
| 2016-10-27
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 8.0.0 CeBIT version
| 2017-03-24
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
| 8.1.0
| 2017-09-27
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
| 8.2.0
| 2018-05-16
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
| 8.3.0 (DELUG-DVD)
| 2018-06-07
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
| 8.5.0 Linux-Magazin / Linux-User edition
| 2019-03-14
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
| 8.6.0
| 2019-08-08
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
| 8.6.1
| 2019-11-22
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
| 9.0 (DELUG-DVD)
| 2020-03-05
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
| 9.1
| 2021-01-25
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
| 9.2 (DELUG-DVD)
| 2021-04
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
| 9.3 (DELUG-DVD)
| 2022-06
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
|}

The table (to the right) shows the version history of major releases.

===Knoppix 4.x–5.x===
As of April 2008, from version 4 up until 5.1.1, Knoppix has been split into a DVD "maxi" edition (with over 9 GB of software), and a CD "light" edition; both were developed in parallel.<ref>{{cite web |last=Knopper |first=Klaus |title=KNOPPIX 4.0 in issue 8/05 ''with DVD'' of "com{{!}} Das Computer-Magazin" |work=KNOPPER.NET News |publisher=Knopper.Net |date=2005-07-06 |url=http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050708005508/http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html |archive-date=2005-07-08 |access-date=2009-06-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Knoppix 4.0 auf DVD erscheint zum LinuxTag 2005 |publisher=Knopper.Net |date=2005-07-29 |url=http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/knoppix40-pe.txt |access-date=2009-06-10 |language=de |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012123528/http://knopper.net/knoppix/knoppix40-pe.txt |archive-date=2007-10-12 }}</ref>

Up until Knoppix 5.1.1, the CD editions contained a selection of graphical environments, including the TWM window manager, and [[KDE 3]] &mdash; a feature-complete desktop environment default in Knoppix 5.3.1 and earlier.

No further development is being done on the traditional 5.x versions.

===Knoppix 6.x===
KNOPPIX 6.0.1 / ADRIANE 1.1 is a CD-edition again, and a complete rebuild from scratch. LXDE was made the default desktop environment, and the edition contains a substantially reduced software collection in order to easily fit on a CD.<ref>{{cite web |last=Knopper |first=Klaus |title=Microknoppix |work=KNOPPIX 6.0 / ADRIANE 1.1 – Live CD |publisher=Knopper.Net |date=2009-02-11 |url=http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/knoppix60-en.html |access-date=2009-06-10 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090611031128/http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/knoppix60-en.html |archive-date=2009-06-11}}</ref>

The KNOPPIX 6.2.1 release has both CD and DVD editions, and ADRIANE 1.2 only has a CD-edition.<ref>{{cite web |title=Microknoppix |work=KNOPPIX 6.2 / ADRIANE 1.2 – Live CD / DVD |publisher=Knopper.Net |url=http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/knoppix62-en.html |access-date=2009-11-18 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091120061021/http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/knoppix62-en.html |archive-date=2009-11-20}}</ref>

Knoppix 6.7.1 has the last CD version with stable touchpad drivers.

===Knoppix 7.x===
From June 2013 on until March 2019, Knoppix 7.2 was the most recent release with a CD edition. By 2018, its software had become very outdated, as the [[GNU C Library#Version history|libc6 2.17]] library no longer suffices for installation of several modern packages. The 7.x version range is known for instabilities with touchpads.

Version 7.2 still remains the most recent CD version of Knoppix in wide distribution.

===Knoppix 8.x===
The KNOPPIX 8.0.0 edition was released at CeBIT 2017.<ref name="Knoppix site">{{cite web |url=http://knopper.net/knoppix/knoppix771-en.html |title=KNOPPIX 8.0.0 - Linux Live System |author=|website=knopper.net |access-date=4 May 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171030122231/http://knopper.net/knoppix/knoppix771-en.html |archive-date=30 October 2017}}</ref>

KNOPPIX 8.1.0 was released in September 2017 as the first public release in the 8.x series.<ref>{{cite web |title=KNOPPIX 8.1.0 Public Release |publisher=Knopper.Net |url=http://knopper.net/knoppix/knoppix810-en.html |access-date=2017-11-07 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171004072625/http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/knoppix810-en.html |archive-date=2017-10-04}}</ref>
The version 8.0.0 has the [[dual boot]], and a choice between three different desktops:[[LXDE]] as default option, [[KDE]] or [[GNOME]].<ref name= "Knoppix site"/>

Versions 8.2.0 and newer (8.2.x, not 8.5.x) are available on Knoppix mirrors.

Knoppix 8.5 was a DVD version that was not available for download, but was published as an exclusive version only bundled with a physical edition of Linux-Magazin<ref>{{cite news |last=Knopper |first=Klaus |title=Exklusiv auf der Delug-DVD: Knoppix 8.5 Linux-Magazin Edition |language=German |trans-title=Exclusive on the Delug-DVD: The Knoppix 8.5 Linux-Magazin Edition |publisher=Linux Magazin |volume=04/2019 |date=2019-04-01 |url=https://www.linux-magazin.de/ausgaben/2019/04/knoppix-8-5/ |accessdate=2019-04-29}}</ref> or LinuxUser.<ref>{{cite web |title=Knoppix 8.5 als exklusive LinuxUser-Edition |language=German |work=LinuxUsre / Linux Community |publisher=businessAD |location=Germany |date=2019-03-21 |url= https://www.linux-community.de/ausgaben/linuxuser/2019/04/fuer-alle-faelle/ |accessdate=2021-02-07}}</ref> Version 8.5 no longer includes [[Systemd]], which was replaced by elogind. Spectre and Meltdown kernel vulnerabilities have been mitigated.<ref>{{cite news |last=Knopper |first=Klaus |title=Exklusiv auf der Delug-DVD: Knoppix 8.5 Linux-Magazin Edition |language=de |trans-title=Exclusive on the Delug-DVD: The Knoppix 8.5 Linux-Magazin Edition |page=3 |publisher=Linux Magazin |volume=04/2019 |date=2019-04-01 |url=https://www.linux-magazin.de/ausgaben/2019/04/knoppix-8-5/3/ |access-date=2019-04-29}}</ref>

Knoppix 8.6 (and newer) is a DVD version available for download on Knoppix mirrors.

{{clear|both}}

=== Knoppix 9.x ===
{{Expand section|small=no|date=August 2025}}
Knoppix 9.0 (DELUG edition) was released in April 2020 to the readers of the German edition of [[Linux Magazin]] and was not available for download.<ref>{{cite web |title=Geen release in 2020 |url=https://www.knoppix.nl/ |website=Knoppix.nl |access-date=13 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116063344/https://www.knoppix.nl/ |archive-date=16 January 2021 |trans-title=No release in 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Schürmann |first1=Tim |title=In eigener Sache: DELUG-DVD |url=https://www.linux-magazin.de/ausgaben/2020/04/einfuehrung-28/ |access-date=13 August 2025 |work=Linux-Magazin |language=de}}</ref> The first public 9.x release came with version 9.1 in January 2021. Versions 9.2 and 9.3 were released only to magazine readers in April 2021 and June 2022. There have been no releases since then. Development is stalled and the forums are inactive.

== Derivatives ==

=== Adriane Knoppix ===
Adriane Knoppix is a variation that is intended for [[Blindness|blind]] and [[visual impairment|visually impaired]] people, which can be used entirely without vision oriented output devices. It was released in the third quarter of 2007 as a Live CD. ''Adriane Knoppix'' is named after Adriane Knopper, the wife of Klaus Knopper, the developer of Knoppix. Adriane has a visual impairment, and has been assisting Klaus with the development of the software.<ref>{{cite web|author=Swapnil Bhartiya |work=EFY News |url=http://www.efytimes.com/efytimes/fullnews.asp?edid=17094 |title=Free Operating System For Blind: Adriane Knoppix |access-date=2 February 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612030833/http://www.efytimes.com/efytimes/fullnews.asp?edid=17094 |archive-date=12 June 2008 }}</ref> The name Adriane is also a [[backronym]] for "Audio Desktop Reference Implementation And Networking Environment".

Adriane Knoppix is intended not only for the blind but also for beginners who do not know much about computers. It uses the [[SUSE Linux|SUSE]] Blinux [[screen reader]] with a [[phoneme]] generator and speech engine for normal output.

=== Other variations ===
[[File:KnoppixFamilyTree1210.svg|thumb|Knoppix family tree]]
* [[Kali Linux]], a live CD/USB distribution now based on Debian. It is a rewrite of [[BackTrack]], which was based on Knoppix. Like its predecessors, Kali is designed for [[digital forensics]] and [[penetration test]]ing. BackTrack itself merged the [[Auditor Security Collection]] and [[WHAX]] distros.
* [[Kanotix]], a live distribution now based on Debian.
* [[KnoppMyth]], a distro that attempts to make the Linux and [[MythTV]] installation as trivial as possible.
* [[Musix GNU+Linux]], specifically for musicians.
* [[Poseidon Linux]], a widely acclaimed distribution specifically geared for the scientific community.
* [[KnoppiXMAME]], designed for playing MAME videogames
* [[PelicanHPC]] for clustering
* [[TechUSB]], an automated computer distro produced by RepairTech, Inc.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://repairtechsolutions.com/tour/techusb |title=RepairTech, Inc. - |website=repairtechsolutions.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317062802/https://repairtechsolutions.com/tour/techusb |archive-date=2015-03-17}}</ref>

==== Unmaintained projects ====
:''Sorted chronologically, in ascending order.''
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Name
!class="unsortable"|Goal and notes
!class="unsortable" nowrap|<abbr title="Note, that version numbers are not consecutive.">Last version</abbr>
!&mdash; dates back to
|-
|[[ClusterKnoppix]] || Uses [[openMosix#ClusterKnoppix|openMosix]].
| 3.6
|nowrap data-sort-type="isoDate" data-sort-value="2004-09-01"|{{Start date and age|2004|09|01|df=yes}}<ref>{{cite web |title=clusterKNOPPIX |publisher=[[DistroWatch]] |date=2017-08-26 |url=https://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=clusterknoppix |access-date=2018-01-07 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418175015/http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=clusterknoppix |archive-date=2017-04-18 }}</ref>
|-
|Feather Linux || 128MB image with Linux 2.4, works as a Live CD and Live USB.
| 0.7.5 
|data-sort-type="isoDate" data-sort-value="2005-07-04"|{{Start date and age|2005|07|04|df=yes}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Feather Linux |publisher=[[DistroWatch]] |date=2017-08-26 |url=https://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=feather |access-date=2018-01-07 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224102318/http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=feather |archive-date=2016-12-24 }}</ref>
|-
|[[Auditor Security Collection]]
| Intended to test the security of networks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Auditor |publisher=remote-exploit.org |date=2006-01-22 |url=http://www.remote-exploit.org/index.php/Auditor |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070124110342/http://www.remote-exploit.org/index.php/Auditor |archive-date=2007-01-24 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Merged into [[BackTrack]] by <abbr title="January or February">early</abbr> 2007.
|<abbr title="ddmmyy:20 June 2005">200605</abbr>-02
|data-sort-type="isoDate" data-sort-value="2005-06-20"|{{Start date and age|2005|06|20|df=yes}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Auditor changes |publisher=remote-exploit.org |date=2005-12-30 |url=http://www.remote-exploit.org/index.php/Auditor_changes |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061231012105/http://www.remote-exploit.org/index.php/Auditor_changes |archive-date=2006-12-31 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|[[Quantian]] ||Numerical and quantitative analysis. The most recent release is based on Knoppix 4.0.2.<ref name="Quantian">{{cite web |last=Eddelbuettel |first=Dirk |author-link=Dirk Eddelbuettel |url=http://dirk.eddelbuettel.com/quantian.html |title=The Quantian Scientific Computing Environment |access-date=2019-05-03 |quote=The most recent version is 0.7.9.2 dated 26 February 2006 and released March 1, 2006 --- the second Quantian version based on the new Knoppix 4.0.2 release.}}</ref>
|7.9.2
|data-sort-type="isoDate" data-sort-value="2006-03-01"|{{Start date and age|2006|03|01|df=yes}}
|-
|[[Kaella]] || The French translation of Knoppix || 3.2 
|data-sort-type="isoDate" data-sort-value="2007-09-19"|{{Start date and age|2007|09|19|df=yes}}
|-
|Kurumin || In [[Brazilian Portuguese]]. [[Poseidon Linux]] is a later distribution that was based on Kurumin.
| 8.6 
|data-sort-type="isoDate" data-sort-value="2008-06-18"|{{Start date and age|2008|06|18|df=yes}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Kurumin Linux |publisher=[[DistroWatch]] |date=2017-08-26 |url=https://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=kurumin |access-date=2018-01-07 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711043956/http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=kurumin |archive-date=2017-07-11 }}</ref>
|-
|id="VMKnoppix"|VMKnoppix
|VM tools
|nowrap| <abbr title="5.3.1DVD or 5.3.1CD">5.3.1</abbr> Xen3.2.1
|data-sort-type="isoDate" data-sort-value="2008-08-27"|{{Start date and age|2008|08|27|df=yes}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Suzaki |first=Kuniyasu |title=News |work=VMKnoppix |publisher=Research Center for Information Security ([[RCIS]]) / [[National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology]] |location=Japan |date=2008-08-27 |url=http://www.rcis.aist.go.jp/project/knoppix/vmknoppix/index-en.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121211044234/http://www.rcis.aist.go.jp/project/knoppix/vmknoppix/index-en.html |archive-date=2012-12-11 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|[[Dreamlinux]] ||A Brazilian distribution branched off from Morphix, centers on ease of use and graphics performance. ||5.0
|data-sort-type="isoDate" data-sort-value="2008-06-18"|{{Start date and age|2012|01|1|df=yes}}
|-
|[[BackTrack]] || Parts based on a merge from Auditor Security Collection. || 5 R3
|data-sort-type="isoDate" data-sort-value="2012-08-15"|
{{Start date and age|2012|08|15|df=yes}}
|-
|-
|}

== See also ==
* [[Comparison of Linux distributions]]
* [[Debian Live]]

== Notes ==

=== Books ===
* {{cite book |last= Granneman|first= Scott |author-link= Scott Granneman |title= Hacking Knoppix |year= 2005 |publisher= [[John Wiley & Sons|Wiley]] |isbn= 978-0-7645-9784-8 }}
* {{cite book |last= Hentzen |first= Whil |title= Knoppix Explained |year= 2007 |publisher= [[Hentzenwerke]] |isbn= 978-1-930919-56-3 }}
* {{cite book |last= Rankin |first= Kyle |title= Knoppix Hacks |year= 2004 |publisher= [[O'Reilly Media|O'Reilly]] |isbn= 978-0-596-00787-4 |url-access= registration |url= https://archive.org/details/knoppixhacks00rank }}

=== News article ===
* [http://www.distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=interview-knoppix Distrowatch.com interview with Klaus Knopper] (2002)

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Wikibooks|Knowing Knoppix}}
* {{commons category-inline|Knoppix}}
* {{Official website|https://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html}}

{{Linux-distro|state=collapsed}}
{{Portal bar|Free and open-source software|Linux}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Knoppix| ]]
[[Category:Debian-based distributions]]
[[Category:Linux distributions]]
[[Category:Linux distributions without systemd]]
[[Category:Live CD]]
[[Category:LiveDistro]]
[[Category:Live USB]]
[[Category:Operating system distributions bootable from read-only media]]