Alpine Linux Documentation
Release 3.2
Alpine Linux Development Team
March 03, 2016
Contents
1 About Alpine Linux 3
1.1 Small . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.2 Simple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.3 Secure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2 Getting Started 5
2.1 Download release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.2 Release differences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.3 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.4 Basic configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3 Indices and tables 7
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Contents:
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2 Contents
CHAPTER 1
About Alpine Linux
Alpine Linux is an independent, non-commercial, general purpose Linux distribution designed for power users who
appreciate security, simplicity and resource efficiency.
1.1 Small
Alpine Linux is built around musl libc and busybox. This makes it smaller and more resource efficient than traditional
GNU/Linux distributions. A container requires no more than 8 MB and a minimal installation to disk requires around
130 MB of storage. Not only do you get a fully-fledged Linux environment but a large selection of packages from the
repository.
Binary packages are thinned out and split, giving you even more control over what you install, which in turn keeps
your environment as small and efficient as possible.
1.2 Simple
Alpine Linux is a very simple distribution that will try to stay out of your way. It uses its own package manager called
apk, the OpenRC init system, script driven set-ups and that’s it! This provides you with a simple, crystal-clear Linux
environment without all the noise. You can then add on top of that just the packages you need for your project, so
whether it’s building a home PVR, or an iSCSI storage controller, a wafer-thin mail server container, or a rock-solid
embedded switch, nothing else will get in the way.
1.3 Secure
Alpine Linux was designed with security in mind. The kernel is patched with grsecurity/PaX out of the box, and
all userland binaries are compiled as Position Independent Executables (PIE) with stack smashing protection. These
proactive security features prevent exploitation of entire classes of zero-day and other vulnerabilities.
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4 Chapter 1. About Alpine Linux
CHAPTER 2
Getting Started
2.1 Download release
Visit our website at: [Link] and choose the version that fits your hardware.
2.2 Release differences
2.2.1 Standard
Choose this type if you want to have a pre selected packages already located in the media. The selected packages are
mostly targetted at embedded solution like routers etc.
2.2.2 Mini
Choose this type if you have a decent internet connection. The installer will automatically downloaded the needed
packages.
2.2.3 Vanilla
Choose this type if you do not need a kernel with grsecurity patches.
2.2.4 Xen
Choose this type if you want to setup an Xen hosts. It has a patched kernel with Xen patches and grsecurity.
2.2.5 Raspberry Pi
Choose this type if your device is of type Raspberry Pi 1/2.
2.2.6 Generic ARM
Choose this type if you device has an ARM processor.
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2.3 Installation
Alpine can be used in any of the following three modes.
2.3.1 Diskless mode
Alpine will run from tmpfs, which means the system will be installed in memory. This means that your system will
be reset to defaults after each reboot. To be able to save your running state, you will have to use Alpine Linux Backup
Utility also known as LBU.
2.3.2 Data mode
This mode is like many other distributions do, it will setup your storage device and install Alpine Linux onto it.
2.3.3 Sys mode
This is a mixed mode between the two modes mentioned above. Your system will run from RAM (tmpfs) but you are
able to mount specified directories (ie var,home) to a specified storage device/location.
2.4 Basic configuration
When your installation medium has finished booting, you can start the basic installer by typing:
setup-alpine
6 Chapter 2. Getting Started
CHAPTER 3
Indices and tables
• genindex
• modindex
• search
