What is OEM Installation in Linux Distributions?

In the world of Linux distributions, the term OEM installation often comes up. OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. This installation mode is designed for hardware vendors who want to ship their hardware with a pre-installed Linux distribution. This article will delve into what an OEM installation is, why it’s important, and how it works in Linux distributions.

Understanding OEM Installation

OEM installation is a special installation mode available in many Linux distributions, including popular ones like Ubuntu and Mint. This mode allows hardware vendors to preconfigure the operating system on their devices before shipping them to end-users.

This process provides a tailored experience for the end-user. The manufacturer can customize system settings, privacy options, and preinstall specific applications according to their requirements. This simplifies the setup process for users who may not be familiar with installing an operating system.

The Two-Part Process of OEM Installation

The OEM installation process can be broken down into two main parts: preparing the device for the end-user and the end-user configuring the device upon receiving it.

Part 1: Preparing the Device

In the first part, the device manufacturer boots the system into the OEM install mode. This can be done by selecting the “OEM Install (for manufacturers)” option from the bootloader menu. They then proceed with the installation process, which includes selecting the keyboard layout and providing a password for the OEM user.

After the installation, the manufacturer can install additional applications globally to the system if desired. This is done by using the apt install command in the terminal. For example, to install the VLC media player, the command would be sudo apt install vlc. Here, sudo allows you to run the command as a superuser, apt is the package handling utility, install is the command to install packages, and vlc is the package name.

Once all the desired applications are installed, the manufacturer prepares the system for shipping by clicking on the “Prepare for shipping to end user” icon and shutting down the system.

Part 2: End-User Configuration

In the second part, the end-user receives the device and starts the configuration process. They select the language, timezone, and keyboard layout, and add their own details. They can also choose to enable auto-login if needed. After rebooting, they enter their username and password on the login screen to access the system.

OEM Installation Across Different Linux Distributions

While this article mainly focuses on Ubuntu, it’s important to note that OEM installation is not limited to it. The process also works for other official Ubuntu flavors and Linux Mint. For more detailed instructions and information, you can refer to the ISO QA testing tracker’s “Install (OEM setup)” section.

Conclusion

In conclusion, OEM installation allows device manufacturers to preconfigure Linux distributions before shipping them to end-users. It provides customization options and simplifies the setup process for users. This feature is a testament to the flexibility and versatility of Linux distributions, catering to both individual users and large-scale hardware vendors.