This document describes how to download the source code to the Vyatta Core (VC) and get more information about how to build the system. The exact build instructions are contained in a top-level README file in the appropriate branch of the source code. These instructions should be enough to allow you to access the README file which will then take you the rest of the way down the build process.

Initial Build Host Setup

Vyatta requires a suitable host environment on which to build the system. Because Vyatta is based on a Debian toolchain, we recommend the latest stable version of Debian. If you're running another operating system, you can use an appropriate virtualization system (Xen, VMware, Virtual Box, etc.) and run your Debian build system in a virtual machine.

After installing Debian, ensure that you have the git source code management system installed:

$ apt-get install git-core

Getting Source

The Vyatta ISO builder consists of scripts and config files
maintained as a git super-module named, "build-iso" that
references several submodules within its "pkgs/" sub-directory. To clone the super-module,

$ git-clone http://git.vyatta.com/build-iso.git

Next, check out an appropriate branch.

$ cd build-iso
build-iso$ git branch --track <branch> origin/<branch>
build-iso$ git checkout <branch>

Where "<branch>" is the appropriate branch name (e.g. "napa" for stable, "oxnard" for current development). Once the correct branch has been checked out, view the README file and follow the expanded set of directions found there.