DRBL
What it is
DRBL manages GNU/Linux deployment to multiple client machines from one server. It can provide a diskless or systemless setup where clients boot over PXE or etherboot, without installing GNU/Linux on each client hard drive. DRBL says clients can use distributed hardware resources while retaining access to their local hardware, and that existing systems such as Windows are unaffected because client drives are not touched. The software includes Clonezilla for partitioning and disk cloning. Its commands can change client boot modes, copy files, manage user accounts, and issue commands across clients. DRBL uses PXE/etherboot, NFS, and NIS for network services, with network and multicast deployment. It is free, open-source software for Linux and self-hosted use. The installation guide lists Debian Bullseye and Buster, Ubuntu Jammy and Focal, CentOS 7, Scientific Linux 7.x, and RHEL 7.x as supported server distributions; other distributions or versions will not work. DRBL Live is available as an ISO for CD/DVD or a ZIP for USB flash drives or hard drives, with amd64, i686-pae, and i686 images.
For and against
For
- Boot clients over PXE or etherboot without local GNU/Linux installs
- Includes Clonezilla for partitioning and disk cloning
- Commands manage boot modes, files, accounts, and clients
- DRBL Live offers ISO and ZIP formats
Against
- Installation can be complicated for beginners
- Only listed server distributions and versions are supported
- Windows SAN boot is described as experimental
The verdict
DRBL combines network deployment, client management commands, and Clonezilla in a free self-hosted Linux solution. Check the supported server distributions before setting it up.
Who it suits
DRBL suits administrators managing GNU/Linux across multiple clients from a central server. It is a better fit for users comfortable with Linux setup, since the installation guide warns that setup can be complicated for beginners.
Plans and prices
DRBL
Free software, open source solution
Read 8 Oct 2026 · drbl.org
On the record
- Checksum availability
- The DRBL Live download pages provide MD5, SHA1, SHA256, and SHA512 checksums for listed images.drbl.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Client hardware
- DRBL says its clients use distributed hardware resources and can fully access local hardware.drbl.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- 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.drbl.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Experimental feature
- The SAN boot instructions describe Microsoft Windows SAN booting on DRBL as experimental.drbl.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Imaging
- DRBL includes Clonezilla, described as a partitioning and disk cloning utility.drbl.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Installation complexity
- The installation guide says setting up DRBL on GNU/Linux is a little complicated for a beginner.drbl.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Live architectures
- The download page lists amd64, i686-pae, and i686 architectures for DRBL Live.drbl.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Live formats
- DRBL Live is offered as an ISO for CD/DVD or a ZIP file for USB flash or hard drives.drbl.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Management commands
- DRBL commands can switch client boot modes, copy files to clients, manage user accounts, and issue commands to all clients.drbl.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Network services
- DRBL uses PXE/etherboot, NFS, and NIS to provide services to client machines.drbl.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- DRBL manages deployment of the GNU/Linux operating system across many clients from one server.drbl.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- 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.drbl.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- 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.drbl.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Windows coexistence
- DRBL says it does not touch client hard drives, so other installed operating systems such as Windows are unaffected.drbl.org · read 8 Oct 2026
