FreeBSD-like linux distro?

[Brian]

Wojciech Puchar wrote:
>> http://lists.freebsd.org/pipermail/freebsd-doc/2006-August/011029.html
>
> now i made my tests with FreeBSD 7. no installer, my semi-custom 
> kernel i use everywhere on x86 (everything moduled, all needed things 
> in loader.conf).
>
> i used qemu
>
> results:
>
> 16MB RAM - boots without problems, no swapping at all
> 12MB - boots without problems, little bit swapping
> 10MB - boots without problems, more swapping, hanged after booting 
> multiuser, before displaying login. probably out of kernel memory for 
> consoles
> 10MB again - after turning of all consoles but the first, boots fine, 
> somehow usable, but for routers should be OK.
>
>
> then i made REALLY custom kernel. minimal but enough for a router.
>
> was able to get down to 9MB.
>
>
> so - on 12MB 486DX, FreeBSD 7 is useful system for routing, 
> firewalling, small nameserver, general control etc.
>
> with 16MB - swap is barely touched.
>
> 486DX machines with 8-16MB RAM and small (like 100-500MB) disks are 
> for free here, ISA network cards too.
>
> good to know they can run newest FreeBSD release!
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To the OP, if you go ahead with trying to use this 486 or older hw, 
consider the effort of maintaining the system.

Brian