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SYSLINUX
What it is
SYSLINUX is a free suite of bootloaders for Linux, with separate components for starting systems from different media and filesystems. SYSLINUX boots from MS-DOS or Windows FAT filesystems, PXELINUX supports PXE network booting, ISOLINUX boots from ISO9660 CD-ROMs, and EXTLINUX supports Linux ext2 and ext3 filesystems. The suite also includes MEMDISK, which loads legacy operating systems from supported media. Boot settings go in a text file named syslinux.cfg, and the documentation describes menu and graphical menu interface modules. Listed capabilities include BIOS and UEFI support, multiboot support, boot-entry editing, and boot-menu customization. The project is free under GNU GPL version 2 or, at the user's choice, a later version. Building from source requires Linux and NASM 2.03 or later; NASM 2.07 or newer is recommended. There are two compatibility limits to note: FAT filesystems must use 512-byte sectors, and UEFI Syslinux cannot chainload other EFI applications such as UEFI Shell or Windows Boot Manager. The project points users to a mailing list for support details.
For and against
For
- Free under GNU GPL version 2 or later.
- Components support FAT, PXE, ISO9660, ext2, and ext3.
- Includes menu and graphical menu modules.
- Supports BIOS, UEFI, and multiboot.
Against
- FAT filesystems must use 512-byte sectors.
- UEFI version cannot chainload other EFI applications.
- Building from source requires Linux and NASM.
The verdict
SYSLINUX covers several boot sources and provides configurable boot menus at no charge. Check its FAT sector-size and UEFI chainloading limits before choosing it.
Who it suits
SYSLINUX suits users configuring Linux boot options across supported filesystems, CD-ROMs, or PXE network boots. Source builders need Linux and NASM.
Plans and prices
SYSLINUX
GNU GPL version 2 or later
Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Boot menu
- The documentation describes menu and graphical menu interface modules.wiki.archlinux.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Build requirements
- The project README says building from source requires Linux and NASM version 2.03 or later, with 2.07 or later recommended.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- CD booting
- ISOLINUX supports booting from ISO9660 CD-ROMs.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Configuration
- Boot settings can be configured in a text file named syslinux.cfg.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- FAT loader
- SYSLINUX boots from MS-DOS or Windows FAT filesystems.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The project README says SYSLINUX is free software under the GNU General Public License version 2 or, at the user's option, any later version.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Limit
- Syslinux does not support FAT filesystems with a sector size other than 512 bytes.wiki.archlinux.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Linux filesystems
- EXTLINUX supports Linux ext2 and ext3 filesystems.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- MEMDISK
- The project includes MEMDISK, a tool for loading legacy operating systems from supported media.packages.fedoraproject.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Network booting
- PXELINUX supports PXE network booting.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Syslinux is a suite of bootloaders for Linux, including loaders for FAT filesystems, PXE network booting, ISO9660 CD-ROMs, and Linux ext2/ext3 filesystems.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project README points users to a SYSLINUX mailing list for support details.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- UEFI limit
- UEFI Syslinux does not support chainloading other EFI applications such as UEFI Shell or Windows Boot Manager.wiki.archlinux.org · read 4 Oct 2026
