# Tor-ramdisk > a uClibc-based minimalist distribution of GNU/Linux whose only purpose is to host a Tor server in an environment that maximizes security and privacy **Wikidata**: [Q7825228](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7825228) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tor-ramdisk ## Summary Tor-ramdisk is a uClibc-based minimalist distribution of GNU/Linux designed specifically to host a Tor server. Its primary purpose is to create an environment that maximizes security and privacy for the user. It is classified as a lightweight operating system intended to manage computer hardware resources with low overhead. ## Key Facts - **License:** GNU General Public License, version 3.0. - **Latest Stable Release:** Version 20160810 (released August 10, 2016). - **Software Base:** Built on uClibc (a C library for embedded Linux systems). - **Category:** Lightweight Linux distribution; Operating system. - **Source Code Repository:** Hosted by the Tor Project at `gitweb.torproject.org/tor-ramdisk.git`. - **Official Website:** `http://opensource.dyc.edu/tor-ramdisk/`. - **Community Support:** IRC channel located at `irc://irc.freenode.net/#tor-ramdisk`. - **Historical Releases:** Previous stable versions include 20150114 (Jan 2015), 20150322 (Mar 2015), and 20151215 (Dec 2015). ## FAQs ### Q: What is the primary function of Tor-ramdisk? A: Tor-ramdisk is a minimalist Linux distribution whose sole purpose is to host a Tor server. It is designed to manage hardware resources while maximizing the security and privacy of the Tor environment. ### Q: What kind of software license does Tor-ramdisk use? A: The project is distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 3.0. The full licensing text is available in the source code repository. ### Q: Where can the source code for Tor-ramdisk be found? A: The source code is maintained in a Git repository hosted by the Tor Project. It can be accessed via HTTP at `https://gitweb.torproject.org/tor-ramdisk.git`. ## Why It Matters Tor-ramdisk serves a niche but critical role in the ecosystem of digital privacy and anonymity. By stripping the operating system down to the bare essentials required to run a Tor server, it addresses the fundamental security principle of minimizing the attack surface. General-purpose operating distributions often carry unnecessary background processes and software packages that can introduce vulnerabilities; Tor-ramdisk eliminates this risk by focusing exclusively on the requirements of Tor. This distribution matters particularly for operators prioritizing high-assurance security and resource efficiency. Its use of uClibc indicates it is built for embedded environments or systems where resource constraints (such as RAM and storage) are a factor. By providing a specialized environment that maximizes privacy, Tor-ramdisk helps strengthen the overall Tor network by potentially increasing the number of stable, secure relay nodes. It bridges the gap between hardware capability and secure network infrastructure, ensuring that the underlying OS does not become the weak link in the anonymity chain. ## Notable For - **Minimalist Architecture:** Built specifically to be a lightweight, uClibc-based system, distinguishing it from larger, general-purpose Linux distributions. - **Security Focus:** Designed exclusively to maximize security and privacy for hosting a Tor server. - **Tor Project Integration:** Source code is hosted officially within the Tor Project's git infrastructure. - **Specific Scope:** It is distinct for having a "single purpose" definition in its description, rather than being a multi-tool OS. ## Body ### System Architecture and Design Tor-ramdisk is an instance of a lightweight Linux distribution and functions as an operating system to manage computer hardware. Unlike standard distributions that utilize the GNU C Library (glibc), Tor-ramdisk is built upon **uClibc**, a smaller C library optimized for embedded systems. This choice facilitates a minimalist footprint, essential for environments requiring low resource requirements and high efficiency. The system is designed to run a GNU/Linux environment tailored specifically for Tor services. ### Version History The development of Tor-ramdisk has been tracked through several stable releases, with versioning based on the release date (YYYYMMDD). The progression of releases documented in project archives includes: - **20150114:** Released January 14, 2015. - **20150322:** Released March 22, 2015. - **20151215:** Released December 15, 2015. - **20160810:** Released August 10, 2016. This is listed as the preferred stable version in available data. ### Licensing and Copyright The software is **copyrighted** and licensed under the **GNU General Public License, version 3.0**. The full text of the license is available in the `COPYING` file within the source repository. ### Resources and Connectivity The project maintains an official presence via its website and repository. - **Website:** `http://opensource.dyc.edu/tor-ramdisk/` - **Source Code:** Available via HTTP at `https://gitweb.torproject.org/tor-ramdisk.git` and `https://git.torproject.org/tor-ramdisk.git`. - **Communication:** Real-time support and discussion were historically available via the IRC channel `#tor-ramdisk` on the Freenode network (`irc.freenode.net`). - **Project IDs:** The project is indexed in the Google Knowledge Graph as `/g/11bxdrn12w` and listed on Pro-Linux.de with database application ID `13436`. It is also associated with the OSDN project ID `freshmeat_tor-ramdisk`. ## References 1. [Source](https://gitweb.torproject.org/tor-ramdisk.git/tree/COPYING) 2. [Tor-ramdisk 20150114 released](https://lists.torproject.org/pipermail/tor-talk/2015-January/036526.html) 3. [Tor-ramdisk 20150322 released](https://lists.torproject.org/pipermail/tor-talk/2015-March/037355.html) 4. [Tor-ramdisk 20160810 released](https://lists.torproject.org/pipermail/tor-talk/2016-August/042000.html) 5. [Tor-ramdisk 20151215 released](https://lists.torproject.org/pipermail/tor-talk/2015-December/039740.html)