The Gentoo Project recently announced the release of an experimental system image featuring the GNU Hurd kernel. The project also shared scripts that allow users to self-assemble the image and contribute to the development of the Hurd port. Stage releases and automated image building are on the horizon, with the ultimate goal of achieving compatibility with Gentoo Linux on x86-64 systems.
If you’re interested in trying out the Gentoo GNU Hurd image, you can run it using QEMU. Simply follow the instructions below:
| Commands: | wget https://distfiles.gentoo.org/experimental/x86/hurd/hurd-i686-preview.qcow2.sig wget https://distfiles.gentoo.org/experimental/x86/hurd/hurd-i686-preview.qcow2 gpg –verify hurd-i686-preview.qcow2.sig hurd-i686-preview.qcow2 qemu-system-i386 -drive file=hurd-i686-preview.qcow2,format=qcow2 -m 2G -net user,hostfwd=tcp:127.0.0.1:2222-:2222 -net nic,model=ne2k_pci –enable-kvm -M q35 |
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Once you’ve logged in with the credentials “root” and password “gnuhurdrox,” you can start the ssd using “./setup-net.sh” and “/etc/init.d/sshd restart.”
In a nod to April Fools’ Day, the Gentoo Project humorously announced its shift to using the GNU Hurd kernel as the primary kernel. Citing the Linux kernel’s history of instability, the project expressed confidence in the reliability of GNU Hurd. Despite its experimental status, Gentoo plans to phase out the Linux kernel completely by the end of 2026.