GNU GRUB

GNU GRUB is a Multiboot boot loader. It was derived from GRUB, GRand Unified Bootloader, which was originally designed and implemented by Erich Stefan Boleyn.

Briefly, boot loader is the first software program that runs when a computer starts. It is responsible for loading and transferring control to the operating system kernel software (such as the Hurd or the Linux). The kernel, in turn, initializes the rest of the operating system (e.g. GNU).

Currently under development, GRUB 2, has replaced what was formerly known as GRUB (i.e. version 0.9x), which has, in turn, become GRUB Legacy.

GRUB 2 aims at merging sources from PUPA in order to create the next generation of GNU GRUB. A mailing list and a wiki have been setup for discussing the development of GRUB 2.

GRUB Legacy is no longer being developed. For the differences between GRUB Legacy and GRUB 2, please visit their respective pages.

Here are some useful resources:

• GRUB Wiki is a great resource.
• PUPA was a research project to develop the next generation of what is now GRUB Legacy.
• Etherboot is a free software package for booting x86 PCs over a network. We are using its device drivers for our own netboot support.
• The original GRUB site.
• GRUB/98 is a port to NEC PC9800 series.
• A French translation of the GRUB manual.
• A GRUB logo by Karol Krenski.
• Another GRUB logo by Karol Krenski.
• GRUB Splash Image Howto describes various information about splashimage support for GRUB.