User:Pepoluan/Project:Protogenoi

Project:Protogenoi aims to provide .xva (XenServer Virtual Appliance) files that can functionally replace the  files.

Rationale
When installing a new Gentoo system, although in practice you can use any kind of bootable Linux CD, the Gentoo Installation Handbook does specify the usage of the 'minimal' .iso files.

The problem with this approach is that by using a 'minimal' .iso file, you'll be booting into HVM (Hardware Virtual Machine) mode instead of the strongly-preferred PV (Paravirtualization) mode, thus imposing a not-insignificant performance penalty during installation.

(In addition, later you will also have to go into the XenServer console to 'switch' the mode from HVM to PV).

The aim of Project:Protogenoi is to provide .xva files containing all the components necessary to install a new Gentoo system according to the Gentoo Installation Handbook, but starting in PV mode outright rather than HVM mode.

"Protogenoi"
The word protogenoi is the term that the Ancient Greeks use to call the primordial gods/goddesses of the Ancient Greek Mythology. All other gods/goddesses in the Ancient Greek Pantheon ultimately descended from the protogenoi.

Since the .xva's will be used as 'seeds' to start the installation process, the 'concept' behind protogenoi just seems fitting.

Release Nomenclature
All Project:Protogenoi releases will be named according to the following system:

[-prime]-r - .xva

The  designation indicates that the .xva is "not squashed".

Releases without the  designation are called "sequent" (or "squashed") releases.

Maintainer
As of 2011-07, Project:Protogenoi is maintaned by Pandu E Poluan