# Linux-libre

> version of the Linux kernel without binary blobs

**Wikidata**: [Q665683](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q665683)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux-libre)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/linux-libre

## Summary
Linux-libre is a version of the Linux kernel that is maintained to be entirely free software by removing all "binary blobs," which are proprietary firmware or software components without source code. It is an official GNU package and a fork of the Linux kernel, serving as the foundational kernel for several operating systems that prioritize complete software freedom.

## Key Facts
- **Inception Date:** February 20, 2008.
- **Classification:** Monolithic kernel, GNU package, and a fork of the Linux kernel.
- **Primary Developers:** GNU Project and Alexandre Oliva.
- **Maintainers:** Free Software Foundation Latin America (FSFLA), Alexandre Oliva, and Jason Self.
- **License:** GNU General Public License, version 2.0.
- **Mascot:** Freedo.
- **Programming Languages:** Written in C and assembly language.
- **Supported Architectures:** Intel 80386, IA-32, ARM architecture, MIPS architecture, Motorola 68000 family, RISC-V, and IBM POWER.

## FAQs
### Q: What are "binary blobs" in the context of Linux-libre?
A: Binary blobs are proprietary software components or firmware included in the standard Linux kernel that do not provide their source code. Linux-libre specifically identifies and removes these components to ensure the kernel is 100% free software.

### Q: Which Linux distributions use Linux-libre?
A: It is used by several free software distributions, including GNU Guix System, Parabola GNU/Linux-libre, Trisquel, gNewSense, Dragora GNU/Linux-libre, Musix GNU/Linux, Dynebolic, and Kongoni GNU/Linux.

### Q: Who is responsible for the development of Linux-libre?
A: The project was founded by Alexandre Oliva and is developed by the GNU Project. It is currently maintained by the Free Software Foundation Latin America (FSFLA) with co-maintenance by Jason Self.

## Why It Matters
Linux-libre is a cornerstone of the free software movement, addressing the ethical and practical concerns of proprietary "blobs" within the standard Linux kernel. While the mainstream Linux kernel includes non-free firmware to support a wider range of hardware, these blobs are essentially "black boxes" that users cannot inspect, modify, or legally share. By stripping these elements away, Linux-libre provides a kernel that adheres strictly to the Free Software Foundation's guidelines.

This project is vital for users and developers who require a "100% free" computing environment. It serves as the default kernel for distributions endorsed by the Free Software Foundation, such as Parabola and GNU Guix. By maintaining a fork that tracks mainstream Linux releases while removing non-free code, the project ensures that software freedom does not require users to abandon modern kernel improvements, provided their hardware can function without proprietary firmware.

## Notable For
- **Binary Blob Removal:** It is specifically distinguished by the removal of obfuscated code and proprietary firmware from the standard Linux kernel source.
- **Official GNU Status:** It is recognized as an official GNU package, integrating it into the broader GNU operating system project.
- **Freedo Mascot:** The project uses a unique mascot named Freedo, which serves as a symbol for the "libre" version of the kernel.
- **Broad Hardware Support:** Despite its strict exclusion of non-free firmware, it maintains compatibility across diverse architectures including ARM, RISC-V, and IBM POWER.

## Body
### Project Origins and Maintenance
Linux-libre was established on February 20, 2008. It was developed as a collaborative effort involving the GNU Project and Alexandre Oliva, a Brazilian software programmer and member of the Free Software Foundation. The project is maintained by the Free Software Foundation Latin America (FSFLA). Alexandre Oliva serves as the primary maintainer, with Jason Self acting as a co-maintainer.

### Technical Architecture
As a monolithic kernel, Linux-libre handles all operating system services in the kernel space. It is based on the Linux kernel but modified to remove proprietary device drivers and firmware. The project is written in C and assembly language. It supports a variety of platforms and architectures, including:
*   Intel 80386 and IA-32
*   ARM and MIPS
*   Motorola 68000 family
*   RISC-V
*   IBM POWER

### Software Ecosystem
Linux-libre is a core component for several "Free software-only" Linux distributions. It is also compatible with various networking and system tools, including:
*   **LibreCMC:** A Linux distribution for Wifi routers.
*   **Ulogd:** A logging daemon for netfilter.
*   **Networking Utilities:** It works with nftables, libnftnl, libnetfilter-conntrack, and conntrack-tools.

### Versioning History
The project releases versions that correspond to the standard Linux kernel, typically appended with a "-gnu" suffix. Notable stable releases include:
*   **3.10-gnu:** Released July 1, 2013.
*   **3.18-gnu:** Released December 8, 2014.
*   **3.19-gnu:** Released February 9, 2015.
*   **4.0-gnu:** Released April 13, 2015.
*   **4.1-gnu:** Released June 22, 2015.
*   **4.1.12-gnu:** Released October 27, 2015.

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## References

1. Free Software Directory
2. [Source](https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Linux-libre#tab=Details)
3. [GNU Linux-libre 3.10-gnu. 2013](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2013-07/msg00000.html)
4. [GNU Linux-libre 3.18-gnu is now available. 2014](https://www.fsfla.org/pipermail/linux-libre/2014-December/002886.html)
5. [GNU Linux-libre 3.19-gnu is now available. 2015](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2015-02/msg00003.html)
6. [GNU Linux-libre 4.0-gnu is now available. 2015](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2015-04/msg00005.html)
7. [GNU Linux-libre 4.1-gnu is now available. 2015](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2015-06/msg00012.html)
8. [GNU Linux-libre 4.2-gnu is now available. 2015](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2015-08/msg00010.html)
9. [GNU Linux-libre 4.3-gnu is now available. 2015](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2015-11/msg00000.html)
10. [GNU Linux-libre 4.4-gnu is now available. 2016](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2016-01/msg00001.html)
11. [GNU Linux-libre 4.5-gnu is now available. 2016](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2016-03/msg00007.html)
12. [GNU Linux-libre 4.6-gnu is now available. 2016](https://www.fsfla.org/pipermail/linux-libre/2016-May/003220.html)
13. [GNU Linux-libre 4.7-gnu is now available. 2016](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2016-07/msg00013.html)
14. [GNU Linux-libre 4.8-gnu is now available. 2016](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2016-10/msg00004.html)
15. [Source](http://linux-libre.fsfla.org/pub/linux-libre/releases/4.14.14-gnu/)
16. [Source](https://linux-libre.fsfla.org/pub/linux-libre/releases/4.14.15-gnu/)
17. [GNU Linux-libre 4.15-gnu. 2018](https://www.fsfla.org/pipermail/linux-libre/2018-January/003273.html)
18. [Source](https://linux-libre.fsfla.org/pub/linux-libre/releases/4.15.6-gnu/)
19. [Source](https://linux-libre.fsfla.org/pub/linux-libre/releases/4.15.9-gnu/)
20. [Source](https://linux-libre.fsfla.org/pub/linux-libre/releases/4.15.13-gnu/)
21. [Source](http://linux-libre.fsfla.org/pub/linux-libre/releases/4.19.6-gnu/)
22. [GNU Linux-libre project. 2018](https://www.fsfla.org/ikiwiki/selibre/linux-libre/index.en.html)
23. [Index of /pub/linux-libre/releases/4.20-gnu. 2018](http://linux-libre.fsfla.org/pub/linux-libre/releases/4.20-gnu/)
24. [Source](https://www.fsfla.org/ikiwiki/selibre/linux-libre/index.en.html)
25. [GNU Linux-libre 5.3-gnu. 2019](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2019-09/msg00004.html)
26. [GNU Linux-libre 5.4-gnu (Fi For GNU). 2019](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2019-11/msg00007.html)
27. [GNU Linux-libre 5.5-gnu. 2020](https://www.fsfla.org/pipermail/linux-libre/2020-January/003364.html)
28. [GNU Linux-libre 5.6-gnu (GNU Health for all). 2020](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2020-03/msg00014.html)
29. [GNU Linux-libre 3.9-gnu. 2013](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2013-04/msg00016.html)
30. [GNU Linux-libre 3.8-gnu. 2013](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2013-02/msg00007.html)
31. [GNU Linux-libre 3.6-gnu sources are now available. 2012](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2012-10/msg00002.html)
32. [GNU Linux-libre 3.5-gnu: Free and a half. 2012](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2012-07/msg00014.html)
33. [GNU Linux-libre 3.3-gnu is now available. 2012](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2012-03/msg00013.html)
34. [GNU Linux-libre 5.7-gnu. 2020](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2020-06/msg00002.html)
35. [GNU Linux-libre 5.8-gnu. 2020](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2020-08/msg00001.html)
36. [GNU Linux-libre 5.9-gnu. 2020](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2020-10/msg00003.html)
37. [GNU Linux-libre 5.10-gnu. 2020](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2020-12/msg00005.html)
38. [GNU Linux-libre 5.11-gnu (ilovefs). 2021](https://www.fsfla.org/pipermail/linux-libre/2021-February/003417.html)
39. [GNU Linux-libre 5.12-gnu (Freedo misses Tasha). 2021](https://www.fsfla.org/pipermail/linux-libre/2021-April/003418.html)
40. [GNU Linux-libre 5.13-gnu Released For The Latest Kernel Deblobbing. 2021](https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=GNU-Linux-Libre-5.13)
41. [GNU Linux-libre 5.13-gnu. 2021](https://www.fsfla.org/pipermail/linux-libre/2021-June/003420.html)
42. [Source](http://linux-libre.fsfla.org/pub/linux-libre/releases/5.13.1-gnu/)
43. [Source](http://linux-libre.fsfla.org/pub/linux-libre/releases/5.13.2-gnu/)
44. [Source](http://linux-libre.fsfla.org/pub/linux-libre/releases/5.13.3-gnu/)
45. [Source](http://linux-libre.fsfla.org/pub/linux-libre/releases/5.13.4-gnu/)
46. [Source](http://linux-libre.fsfla.org/pub/linux-libre/releases/5.13.5-gnu/)
47. [Source](http://linux-libre.fsfla.org/pub/linux-libre/releases/5.13.6-gnu/)
48. [Source](http://linux-libre.fsfla.org/pub/linux-libre/releases/5.13.7-gnu/)
49. [Source](http://linux-libre.fsfla.org/pub/linux-libre/releases/5.13.8-gnu/)
50. [Source](http://linux-libre.fsfla.org/pub/linux-libre/releases/5.13.9-gnu/)