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Petitboot
What it is
Petitboot is a free, GPL-2.0-licensed bootloader implemented as userspace programs in a small Linux image. It discovers devices and bootable images, reads configurations such as GRUB, SYSLINUX, and Yaboot, then starts systems through Linux kexec. Its main interface is an ncurses menu for inspecting boot choices and system information, changing settings, running plugins, and opening a shell. Petitboot can load operating system images over HTTP, HTTPS, NFS, SFTP, and TFTP. Documented implementations include POWER systems using OPAL firmware and ARM64 systems with efivarfs support; basic functionality is possible on platforms that support kexec, with platform implementations adding features. On supported systems, inband IPMI can report BMC information and change boot behavior through boot device overrides. Plugins can be found on local devices or PXE network files. The project includes pb-sos for collecting diagnostic and crash information; pb-discover manages device discovery and configuration.
For and against
For
- Reads GRUB, SYSLINUX, and Yaboot configurations.
- Loads images over HTTP, HTTPS, NFS, SFTP, and TFTP.
- Includes a menu for boot options and system information.
- Free and GPL-2.0 licensed.
Against
- Additional features depend on platform-specific implementations.
- Inband IPMI is available only on supported platforms.
- Basic functionality depends on kexec platform support.
The verdict
Petitboot combines boot discovery, network image loading, and a menu-driven interface, with capabilities that vary by platform. Check platform support and kexec availability before relying on its additional features.
Who it suits
Petitboot suits Linux system administrators and users managing boot options on supported POWER or ARM64 platforms. It may also interest users who need network booting or a bootloader shell with plugins.
Plans and prices
Petitboot
GPL-2.0 licensed open-source project
Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Boot process
- It discovers devices and bootable images, parses bootloader configurations, and boots through Linux kexec.open-power.github.io · read 8 Oct 2026
- Components
- The pb-discover server discovers and configures devices, while UI clients communicate with it through the pb-protocol interface.open-power.github.io · read 8 Oct 2026
- Configuration formats
- It supports configuration formats including GRUB, SYSLINUX, and Yaboot.open-power.github.io · read 8 Oct 2026
- Development support
- Development and discussion take place on the Petitboot mailing list, which is monitored by a Patchwork instance.open-power.github.io · read 8 Oct 2026
- Diagnostic utility
- The project includes pb-sos, a utility that collects diagnostic and crash information.open-power.github.io · read 8 Oct 2026
- IPMI integration
- On supported platforms, inband IPMI can report BMC information and modify boot behavior through boot device overrides.open-power.github.io · read 8 Oct 2026
- License
- The project repository identifies Petitboot as GPL-2.0 licensed.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Network boot
- The project README says it can load operating system images over HTTP, HTTPS, NFS, SFTP, and TFTP.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Platform limitation
- Petitboot can provide basic functionality on platforms supporting kexec, while platform-specific implementations add additional features.open-power.github.io · read 8 Oct 2026
- Platform support
- The documented platform implementations include POWER systems using OPAL firmware and ARM64 systems with efivarfs support.open-power.github.io · read 8 Oct 2026
- Plugins
- Plugins package and run binaries in the Petitboot shell, and can be discovered on local devices or in PXE network files.open-power.github.io · read 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Petitboot is a kexec-based bootloader implemented by userspace programs in a small Linux image.open-power.github.io · read 8 Oct 2026
- User interface
- Its primary interface is an ncurses menu for viewing boot options and system information, changing settings, running plugins, and opening a shell.open-power.github.io · read 8 Oct 2026
