TeamSBC Linux: new Fedora Remix targets SBCs with systemd-sysupdate
Fedora contributor Simon de Vlieger launched TeamSBC Linux, an experimental Fedora Remix using systemd-sysupdate, A/B partitions, and UKIs for single-board computers starting with Raspberry Pi 4 and 5.
Summary
Simon de Vlieger has released TeamSBC Linux, a highly experimental Fedora Remix built around "Cohesive Linux" principles using systemd's image-based tooling. The primary variant, "Makalu," employs systemd-sysupdate for updates, A/B partitioning, system extensions, and Unified Kernel Images. It currently provides images for virtual machines and Raspberry Pi 4/5 boards. The project aims to test how deeply the cohesive Linux approach can integrate with RPM packaging assumptions. De Vlieger notes it has run for about a week on various devices and is not yet production-ready.
What makes TeamSBC Linux different
- Built on Fedora packages with some custom replacements, packaged differently from standard Fedora
- Uses systemd-sysupdate for image-based updates rather than dnf/rpm-ostree
- A/B partition scheme for atomic updates with rollback capability
- UKIs (Unified Kernel Images) and systemd system extensions for modular system composition
- Board-specific images currently limited to Raspberry Pi 4 and 5
- Developed using image-builder with upstream contributions to enable system extension builds and partition exports
- Upstream systemd contributions include: SELinux alternate root support for systemd-firstboot, configurable UKI entry name formats, dm-verity partition auto-discovery, and IMAGE_ID/IMAGE_VERSION in extension-release metadata
Why it matters
The project tests whether systemd's cohesive Linux approach can work with Fedora's RPM ecosystem, potentially benefiting other image-based distributions if successful. Several upstream improvements to systemd and image-builder were driven by this work and are already available to broader projects.
Original reference: supakeen.com →