# UDPCast
**Wikidata**: [Q12742781](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12742781)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UDPCast)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/udpcast

## Summary
UDPCast is free software designed for disk cloning, allowing users to efficiently copy data from one disk to another. It is distributed under the GNU General Public License version 2.0 or later, with specific components utilizing the Mozilla Public License version 1.1. The project is actively maintained, with a stable release available as a package within the Debian operating system.

## Key Facts
- **Primary Use:** Disk cloning.
- **License:** GNU General Public License version 2.0 (or later) for the main software; Mozilla Public License version 1.1 for the boot loader component (cardmgr).
- **Latest Stable Version:** 20250225, released on February 25, 2025.
- **Official Website:** https://www.udpcast.linux.lu/
- **Debian Package:** Available as `udpcast` in the Debian Stable repository.
- **Instance Of:** Free software.
- **Copyright Status:** Copyrighted.
- **Contact:** Electronic mailing list at udpcast@udpcast.linux.lu.
- **External IDs:** Freebase ID `/m/03c_1tr`; ProLinux.de database app ID 1193; Repology project name `udpcast`.
- **Wikipedia Presence:** Has Wikipedia entries in English, Spanish, and Romanian.
- **Sitelink Count:** 3.

## FAQs
**What is the primary function of UDPCast?**
UDPCast is utilized for disk cloning, serving as a tool to copy the contents of one disk to another.

**What software licenses apply to UDPCast?**
The main software is released under the GNU General Public License version 2.0 or any later version, while the boot loader component, cardmgr, falls under the Mozilla Public License version 1.1.

**How can users obtain UDPCast?**
It is available as a stable package named `udpcast` in the Debian operating system and can be accessed via its official website at udpcast.linux.lu.

**Where can I find support or community discussions for UDPCast?**
Users can participate in the project's electronic mailing list by sending email to udpcast@udpcast.linux.lu, with archives accessible online.

## Why It Matters
UDPCast provides a critical infrastructure tool for system administration by enabling efficient disk cloning through a free software model. Its dual-licensing approach ensures broad compatibility and freedom of use while adhering to open-source principles. By being packaged in major distributions like Debian Stable, it offers a reliable, standardized solution for system imaging and deployment tasks.

## Notable For
- **Dual-Licensing Structure:** Combines the GNU GPL 2.0+ for the core application with the Mozilla Public License 1.1 for specific boot loader utilities.
- **Debian Inclusion:** Recognized as a stable package within the Debian repository, ensuring stability and security for users.
- **Multilingual Documentation:** Supported by Wikipedia articles in three languages: English, Spanish, and Romanian.
- **Specific Versioning:** Utilizes a date-based versioning scheme, with the 20250225 release marking the stable version as of early 2025.

## Body

### Overview and Usage
UDPCast is classified as free software, a category defined by software distributed under terms that allow users to freely run, study, change, and distribute the software and modified versions. Its primary application is disk cloning, a process essential for system deployment, backup, and recovery. The software facilitates the transfer of data between disks, operating within the constraints of its copyrighted status but maintaining the freedoms associated with its licensing.

### Licensing and Legal Status
The legal framework governing UDPCast involves a split licensing strategy. The core software is released under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0, or any later version. This choice ensures that the software remains free software. However, specific components, particularly the new boot loader which includes `cardmgr`, are distributed under the Mozilla Public License, version 1.1. This distinction is noted in the project's documentation and licensing files. Despite being free software, UDPCast retains a copyrighted status.

### Development and Versions
Development of UDPCast is tracked through a specific versioning history. The stable version identified as of early 2025 is 20250225. This version was released on February 25, 2025, and was documented in the "Changes" section of the official website the following day. The version number itself corresponds to the release date (YYYYMMDD format).

### Distribution and Availability
UDPCast is integrated into several software repositories and databases. It is available as a stable package in the Debian operating system under the package name `udpcast`. The project is also indexed on Repology, a repository monitoring tool, under the project name `udpcast`. Additionally, it holds an entry in the ProLinux.de database with the application ID 1193 and a Freebase ID of `/m/03c_1tr`.

### Community and Communication
The project maintains a presence on the web through its official website, https://www.udpcast.linux.lu/. Communication and support are facilitated through an electronic mailing list. Users can contact the list via email at `udpcast@udpcast.linux.lu`, and a mailing list archive is accessible via the project's website. The software also has a documented footprint on Wikipedia, with sitelinks existing in three languages: English, Spanish, and Romanian, contributing to a total sitelink count of 3.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.udpcast.linux.lu/)
2. [Source](https://www.udpcast.linux.lu/cardmgr-license.txt)
3. [Changes in 20250225 version. 2025](https://www.udpcast.linux.lu/changes.html#new20250225)