Introduction to Devuan
Devuan is a Linux distribution that is born as an alternative to Debian, maintaining compatibility with your packages but eliminating systemd as start-up manager and services. Since its appearance, it has attracted users who prefer a more traditional and simple init, based on SysVinit or OpenRC. This distro focuses on providing a stable, safe and fully free system, respecting the principles of free software and avoiding dependencies that some consider excessive or invasive. In this article we will explore its history, its technical characteristics and the community that supports it.
History and origin
The Devuan project emerged in 2014, when a group of Debian developers and users expressed concern about the mandatory adoption of systemd in the stable branch of Debian. After an intense debate on the mailing lists, they decided to create a fork that would preserve the classic init behavior, offering an option for those who did not want to migrate to the new system. The first official release, Devuan 1.0 Jessie, was published in May 2017, based on Debian 8 and maintaining the original package repositories. Since then, each successor version has followed the Debian development cycle, but with its own artwork, documentation and settings to ensure that systemd is not installed by default.
Philosophy and objectives
Devuan's philosophy is summarized in three pillars: freedom, simplicity and transparency. Freedom because it seeks to offer a system where the user can choose the service manager you prefer, without imposing a single solution. Simplicity because it favors easy-to-understand and debugging tools, such as SysVinit init scripts or OpenRC manager, which are more accessible to experienced administrators. Transparency because it maintains an open development process, with public meetings and clear documentation, allowing anyone to follow the progress of the project and contribute according to their skills.
Technical characteristics
- Total compatibility with Debian repositories, allowing you to install the vast majority of unmodified packages.
- Multiple init options: the user can select SysVinit, OpenRC or even runit during installation or change them later.
- Recent Linux Kernel, with security patches applied in a timely manner, maintaining the same level of protection as Debian.
- Default desktop environment based on XFCE, light and customizable, although others such as GNOME, KDE or LXQt can be installed without problems.
- Traditional configuration tools, such as
update-rc.dandservice, which work exactly as in pre-systemd systems.
Package management and compatibility
Devuan uses the same package system as Debian: dpkg as backend and APT as front. This means that the commandsapt update, apt upgradeandapt installthey work identical, and Debian .deb files can be installed without recombinant. The official repositories of Devuan are mirrors of those of Debian, but with the difference that the packages that depend exclusively on systemd have been adapted or removed. Users can also add third-party repositories, such as those of multimedia or owner drivers, without losing the guarantee of absence of systemd at the system base.
Community and support
Although smaller than Debian, Devuan's community is active and dedicated. There are official forums, mailing lists, IRC channels and a Discord server where doubts are resolved, tricks are shared and improvements are proposed. The project also maintains a detailed wiki covering from installation to advanced service configuration. The LTS (Long Term Support) versions receive security updates for five years, aligning with the Debian LTS calendar, which provides confidence to production environments that require longevity and stability.
Conclusion
Devuan represents a solid option for those who value freedom of choice in their Linux operating system, especially as regards the init manager. Its close relationship with Debian guarantees access to a vast software catalogue, while its approach to avoiding systemd provides a more predictable and easy-to-manage environment for many users. If you are looking for a distribution that combines stability, compatibility and free software principles without the complexities associated with systemd, it is worth trying Devuan and assessing whether it suits your needs.
