Debian 11 "Bullseye"

Basic Information

• Model: Debian 11 "Bullseye"
• Version: 11.11 (latest point release)
• Release Date: August 14, 2021 (initial release)
• Minimum Requirements:
  • RAM: 512 MB (for non-desktop), 1 GB (general PC)
  • Processor: 1 GHz Pentium processor (or equivalent)
  • Storage: 10 GB (general PC), 30 GB (workstation/standalone)
• Supported Architectures: 64-bit PC (amd64), 64-bit ARM (AArch64/arm64), EABI ARM (armel), Hard Float ABI ARM (armhf), 32-bit PC (i386), MIPS (big endian), MIPS (little endian), 64-bit MIPS (little endian), POWER Processors (ppc64el), IBM System z (s390x)
• Latest Stable Version: 11.11
• End of Regular Support Date: August 14, 2024
• End of Life Date (LTS): August 31, 2026
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Security updates are provided until the LTS end date. Extended Long-Term Support (ELTS) is available commercially until June 30, 2031.
• License Type: Free and Open Source Software (DFSG-compatible licenses)
• Deployment Model: Can be installed directly on physical hardware, in virtual machines, or in containers. Live images are available for testing without installation.

Technical Requirements

• RAM: Minimum 512 MB, recommended 2 GB for general use, 2048 MiB recommended for modern web browsers and LibreOffice.
• Processor: Minimum 1 GHz Pentium processor or equivalent. Supports 32-bit (i386) and 64-bit (amd64, arm64, ppc64el, s390x, mips variants) architectures.
• Storage: Minimum 10 GB for basic installation, 30 GB for workstation/standalone systems, 40 GB for LTSP server, and 60 GB for combined main server + LTSP server.
• Display: Generally minimal requirements for server installations; graphical environments support standard display resolutions. Two screens with resolutions higher than 1920x1080 are recommended for advanced desktop use.
• Ports: Standard USB ports for installation media and peripherals, network ports for connectivity.
• Operating System: Debian 11 "Bullseye" is the operating system itself, running on the Linux kernel 5.10 LTS.

Analysis of Technical Requirements: Debian 11 "Bullseye" maintains a reputation for efficiency, offering low minimum requirements that allow it to run on older hardware. The recommended specifications provide a smoother experience, especially for graphical desktop environments and modern applications. Its broad architecture support makes it suitable for a wide range of devices, from embedded systems to powerful servers. The flexibility in storage requirements caters to various deployment scenarios, from minimal server installations to full-featured workstations.

Support & Compatibility

• Latest Version: Debian 11.11
• OS Support: Supports a wide array of hardware architectures including amd64, i386, armel, armhf, arm64, mipsel, mips64el, ppc64el, and s390x.
• End of Support Date: Regular security support ended August 14, 2024. Long Term Support (LTS) by the Debian LTS team extends until August 31, 2026. Commercial Extended LTS (ELTS) by Freexian is available until June 30, 2031.
• Localization: Available in 76 languages for installation, with support for various input methods like Fcitx 5 for East Asian languages.
• Available Drivers: Includes Linux kernel 5.10 LTS, offering improved hardware support. Features driverless printing with CUPS (ipp-usb) and scanning with SANE, supporting many modern devices without proprietary drivers. Non-free installer images are available for hardware requiring proprietary firmware (e.g., specific AMD/Nvidia graphics, Intel audio).

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status: Debian 11 "Bullseye" offers robust support and compatibility, characteristic of the Debian project. Its extensive hardware architecture support ensures broad applicability. The structured support lifecycle, including LTS and optional ELTS, provides long-term stability and security updates. The inclusion of a modern kernel and driverless peripheral support enhances out-of-the-box compatibility for many devices, though users with specific proprietary hardware may still need to utilize non-free firmware. Localization is comprehensive, making it accessible to a global user base.

Security Status

• Security Features: Default encryption algorithm for local account passwords uses Yescrypt, replacing SHA-512 for improved security. Systemd persistent journal functionality is activated by default. Supports exFAT filesystems natively with kernel 5.10.
• Known Vulnerabilities: Handled by the Debian Security Team during regular support, then by the Debian LTS Team. Security advisories are regularly published.
• Blacklist Status: Not applicable in the context of an operating system. Debian focuses on providing a secure and stable base.
• Certifications: While not explicitly stated for Debian 11, Debian generally adheres to high security standards and is often used in environments requiring strong security.
• Encryption Support: Uses Yescrypt for password hashing. Supports disk encryption and other cryptographic features inherent to the Linux kernel and included software.
• Authentication Methods: Standard Linux authentication mechanisms, including PAM (Pluggable Authentication Modules), sudo, and SSH.
• General Recommendations: Users are encouraged to apply security updates promptly and consider upgrading to Debian 12 "Bookworm" as Bullseye transitions further into its LTS phase for the latest features and security enhancements.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating: Debian 11 "Bullseye" maintains a strong security posture. The shift to Yescrypt for password hashing enhances local account security. The dedicated Debian Security and LTS teams provide timely updates for known vulnerabilities, ensuring a reliable and secure environment. Its open-source nature allows for community scrutiny, contributing to its overall security. Regular updates and adherence to security best practices are crucial for maintaining optimal security.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores: Specific benchmarks for the OS itself are less common than for hardware. However, Debian is known for its efficiency and stability.
• Real-world Performance Metrics: Debian 11 is noted for being resource-efficient. A bare-bone installation consumes approximately 28% less memory and 17% less storage than Debian 10. Compared to Ubuntu 20.04, Debian 11 consumes 63% less memory and 45% less storage.
• Power Consumption: Generally efficient, contributing to lower power consumption, especially in server and minimal installations.
• Carbon Footprint: Its resource efficiency and ability to run on older hardware can contribute to a reduced carbon footprint by extending hardware lifespan and lowering energy usage.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: Compared to distributions like Ubuntu, Debian 11 demonstrates superior resource efficiency in minimal configurations. It is often chosen for its stability over cutting-edge software versions.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status: Debian 11 "Bullseye" excels in performance and resource efficiency, particularly in minimal and server deployments. Its optimized design leads to lower memory and storage consumption compared to previous versions and other popular distributions. While it may not always feature the absolute latest software versions, its focus on stability and efficiency results in a highly reliable and performant operating system suitable for a wide range of applications, from lightweight desktops to robust servers.

User Reviews & Feedback

Users widely praise Debian 11 "Bullseye" for its exceptional stability and reliability, making it a preferred choice for servers and production environments. The vast repository of software packages is a significant strength, providing a comprehensive ecosystem. The community-driven nature of the project is also highly valued.

However, some users note that Debian's commitment to stability can lead to slightly older software packages compared to more rapidly updated distributions. While this ensures robustness, it might require users to seek alternative methods (like Flatpak or Snap) for the very latest application versions. The installation process, while straightforward for experienced users, can be perceived as less user-friendly than some other distributions for beginners.

Recommended use cases include web servers, database servers, development workstations, and general-purpose desktop computing for users who prioritize stability and control. It is also a popular base for other Linux distributions.

Summary

Debian 11 "Bullseye" stands as a highly stable, secure, and resource-efficient operating system, upholding Debian's reputation as "The Universal Operating System." Released on August 14, 2021, it offers broad hardware compatibility across numerous architectures, including 32-bit and 64-bit x86, ARM, MIPS, PowerPC, and IBM System z. Its minimum technical requirements are modest, allowing deployment on a wide range of hardware, including older systems, while providing excellent performance with recommended specifications.

Key strengths include its robust security features, such as the adoption of Yescrypt for password hashing and persistent systemd journals, backed by a dedicated security team and a predictable Long Term Support (LTS) lifecycle extending to August 31, 2026, with commercial Extended LTS available until 2031. Performance metrics highlight its efficiency, consuming significantly less memory and storage than some contemporaries. Compatibility is enhanced by the Linux kernel 5.10 LTS, offering improved hardware support and driverless printing/scanning capabilities. The extensive localization support further broadens its appeal.

While its focus on stability means that software packages may not always be the absolute latest, this is often seen as a strength for critical deployments. Users praise its reliability and the vast software repository. Debian 11 "Bullseye" is an excellent choice for environments demanding stability, security, and efficiency, ranging from enterprise servers to development workstations and general desktop use.

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.