Debian 10 "Buster"

Basic information

• Model: Debian 10 "Buster"
• Version: 10.x (latest point release is 10.13)
• Release Date: July 6, 2019
• Minimum Requirements:
  • RAM: 256 MB (server), 512 MB (desktop)
  • Processor: 1 GHz Pentium or compatible 686-class CPU
  • Storage: 2 GB (server), 10 GB (desktop)
• Supported Architectures: 64-bit PC (amd64), 32-bit PC (i386), 64-bit ARM (AArch64/arm64), Hard Float ABI ARM (armhf), EABI ARM (armel), MIPS (big-endian), MIPS (little-endian/mipsel), 64-bit MIPS (little-endian/mips64el), POWER Processors (ppc64el), IBM System z (s390x)
• Latest Stable Version (of Debian 10): 10.13, released September 10, 2022
• End of Official Security Support Date: June 30, 2022
• End of Life Date (Debian LTS): June 30, 2024
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Official security updates ceased June 30, 2022. Debian LTS updates ceased June 30, 2024. Third-party extended LTS support is available until June 30, 2029.
• License Type: Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) under various licenses, predominantly GNU General Public License (GPL).
• Deployment Model: On-premise (desktop, server), virtualized environments, cloud instances.

Technical Requirements

• RAM: Minimum 256 MB for server installations, 512 MB for desktop installations. Recommended 512 MB for server, 2 GB for desktop. For optimal performance with modern web browsers and LibreOffice, 2 GB or more is recommended.
• Processor: Requires a minimum 1 GHz Pentium processor or compatible 686-class CPU. Supports a broad range of architectures including 32-bit (i386) and 64-bit (amd64, arm64, ppc64el, s390x, mips, mipsel, mips64el, armel, armhf).
• Storage: Minimum 2 GB for server installations, 10 GB for desktop installations. Recommended 10 GB for desktop, 20 GB for a full installation. Workstation or standalone systems require 30 GB, while a combined main server + LTSP server requires 70 GB.
• Display: A minimum resolution of 800x600 is required.
• Ports: USB port or CD/DVD drive for installation media. Network connectivity (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) is essential for updates and additional software.
• Operating System: Based on the Linux kernel 4.19 series.

Analysis of Technical Requirements: Debian 10 "Buster" maintains relatively low minimum system requirements, making it suitable for older hardware and resource-constrained environments, particularly for server roles. However, for a comfortable desktop experience with modern applications like web browsers and office suites, recommended RAM and storage specifications are significantly higher. The broad support for various processor architectures underscores its versatility as a "universal operating system".

Support & Compatibility

• Latest Version: Debian 10.13.
• OS Support: As an operating system, it provides a stable base for a wide array of applications and services. It supports numerous hardware architectures including amd64, i386, arm64, armhf, armel, mips, mipsel, mips64el, ppc64el, and s390x.
• End of Support Date: Official security updates from the Debian Security Team ended on June 30, 2022. Long Term Support (LTS) from the Debian LTS Team ended on June 30, 2024. Third-party Extended LTS (ELTS) is available until June 30, 2029, for a subset of packages.
• Localization: Supports installation in 76 languages.
• Available Drivers: Ships with a comprehensive set of open-source drivers. Unofficial installation images are available that include proprietary (non-free) firmware and drivers, often necessary for Wi-Fi adapters and certain graphics cards (e.g., Nvidia).

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status: Debian 10 "Buster" offered robust support and broad compatibility throughout its official lifecycle. Its wide architecture support made it adaptable to diverse hardware. However, with the official Debian LTS ending in June 2024, users must now rely on third-party extended support or upgrade to a newer Debian release (Debian 11 "Bullseye" or later) to receive ongoing security updates and bug fixes. Compatibility with proprietary hardware often requires the use of non-free firmware, which is available through unofficial channels.

Security Status

• Security Features: Includes Secure Boot support, AppArmor enabled by default for mandatory access control, nftables as the default network filtering framework replacing iptables, seccomp-BPF sandboxing for APT methods, and HTTPS support for APT repositories. The Reproducible Builds project ensures over 91% of source packages build bit-for-bit identical binaries, enhancing trust and protecting against supply chain attacks.
• Known Vulnerabilities: As an operating system past its official End of Life (EOL) and Debian LTS period, new vulnerabilities discovered after June 30, 2024, are not officially patched by the Debian Project. Systems without third-party extended support are susceptible to unpatched security flaws.
• Blacklist Status: Not applicable for the operating system itself.
• Certifications: No specific certifications are mentioned for the base distribution.
• Encryption Support: Cryptsetup defaults to the on-disk LUKS2 format for disk encryption.
• Authentication Methods: Supports standard Linux authentication methods, including local user accounts, Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM), and SSH keys.
• General Recommendations: Immediate upgrade to Debian 11 "Bullseye" or Debian 12 "Bookworm" is strongly recommended for continued official security updates. If an upgrade is not feasible, utilizing third-party extended long-term support services is crucial to receive critical security patches.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating: At its release, Debian 10 "Buster" provided a strong security posture with modern features like Secure Boot, AppArmor, and nftables. However, its current status as an officially unsupported release means its security rating is critically low without active mitigation strategies. Running Debian 10 without ongoing security updates from either Debian's current stable releases or a third-party ELTS provider exposes systems to significant security risks, including unpatched vulnerabilities and compliance issues. Proactive measures, such as upgrading or subscribing to extended support, are essential to maintain a secure environment.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores: Specific benchmark scores are not readily available in public data for Debian 10 "Buster" as a standalone metric, as performance is highly dependent on hardware and workload.
• Real-world Performance Metrics: Generally regarded as stable and reliable. Performance can vary significantly based on the chosen desktop environment (e.g., GNOME, KDE Plasma, Xfce, LXDE, LXQt, MATE) and underlying hardware. Modern applications, particularly web browsers, can consume substantial RAM, impacting performance on systems with minimum specifications.
• Power Consumption: No specific power consumption metrics are publicly detailed for the operating system itself, as this is primarily hardware-dependent.
• Carbon Footprint: No specific carbon footprint data is publicly detailed for the operating system.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: Successive major Debian releases tend to have slightly increased resource requirements ("heavier") compared to their predecessors, though Debian generally remains efficient.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status: Debian 10 "Buster" delivers solid and predictable performance, characteristic of Debian's focus on stability. While it can operate on minimal hardware, a responsive user experience, especially with graphical interfaces and modern web applications, benefits significantly from exceeding the minimum RAM and processor recommendations. Its performance is optimized for a wide range of use cases, from lightweight servers to full-featured desktops, provided adequate hardware resources are allocated.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews and feedback for Debian 10 "Buster" generally highlight its reputation for stability and reliability. Users appreciate its "universal operating system" philosophy, offering a vast repository of software packages and support for numerous hardware architectures. It is often praised for being a solid choice for both server deployments and desktop use, providing a dependable foundation for various tasks.

Strengths:

• Stability and Reliability: Consistently cited as a major advantage, making it suitable for production environments.
• Broad Hardware Support: Compatibility with a wide range of architectures and devices.
• Extensive Software Repository: Access to over 59,000 ready-to-use software packages.
• Security Features: AppArmor by default, Secure Boot support, and nftables were well-received enhancements at release.

Weaknesses:

• End of Life Status: The primary concern is its current EOL status, meaning no official security updates, which necessitates an upgrade or reliance on third-party extended support.
• Proprietary Driver Handling: Installation of proprietary drivers (e.g., for Nvidia graphics or some Wi-Fi cards) can be more involved, sometimes requiring unofficial images or manual configuration.
• Resource Usage on Very Old Hardware: While generally lightweight, some users noted that successive Debian releases can feel "heavier" on extremely old or under-resourced systems, especially with modern desktop environments and web browsers.

Recommended Use Cases: Debian 10 "Buster" is recommended for users and organizations seeking a highly stable and robust operating system for various purposes, including general-purpose desktops, development workstations, web servers, database servers, and specialized cluster systems. However, due to its EOL status, it is now primarily recommended for environments where immediate upgrade to newer Debian versions is planned or where third-party extended support is actively utilized.

Summary

Debian 10 "Buster" was a significant stable release from the Debian Project, launched on July 6, 2019. It delivered a robust, versatile, and secure operating system, upholding Debian's reputation as the "universal operating system" with support for ten distinct hardware architectures. Key features at its release included enhanced security with Secure Boot, AppArmor enabled by default, and the adoption of nftables for network filtering. It also brought updated software packages and the Linux kernel 4.19 series.

The asset's strengths lie in its exceptional stability, broad hardware compatibility, and a vast, well-maintained software repository. Its relatively low minimum system requirements allowed it to run on a wide range of hardware, from minimal servers to desktop systems.

However, the primary weakness of Debian 10 "Buster" in its current state is its End of Life (EOL) status. Official security updates from the Debian Security Team ceased on June 30, 2022, and Long Term Support (LTS) from the Debian LTS Team concluded on June 30, 2024. This means that systems running Debian 10 without further intervention are no longer receiving official security patches, exposing them to potential vulnerabilities. While third-party Extended LTS (ELTS) is available until June 30, 2029, it covers only a subset of packages and is a paid service.

Recommendations: For all users and enterprises currently operating Debian 10 "Buster", an immediate upgrade to a supported Debian release, such as Debian 11 "Bullseye" or the current stable Debian 12 "Bookworm", is strongly recommended to ensure continued security, stability, and access to the latest features. If an immediate upgrade is not feasible, subscribing to a third-party extended LTS service is critical to mitigate security risks. New deployments should target current stable Debian releases.

The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.