# TeamSBC Linux: new Fedora Remix targets SBCs with systemd-sysupdate

> **Key takeaway:** 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.

**Published:** 2026-10-19T09:00:00+00:00 
**Source:** Planet Fedora 
**Category:** distro-planet 
**Canonical URL:** https://fosswire.org/news/teamsbc-linux-new-fedora-remix-targets-sbcs-with-systemd-sys.html 

## 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.