When comparing the Hurd (and its [[Mach/GnuMach]] microkernel) to alternatives please remember that the last released version number is 0.2. For example, Linux, the kernel, took awhile to mature. The Debian GNU/Hurd system is developing rapidly. Assistance with programming and support tasks is greatly appreciated. The general [Hardware Compatibility Guide](http://www.freesoftware.fsf.org/thug/gnumach_hardware.html) is another good reference. Now for the list of known limitations of the Hurd.

* ~1.5+ GB ext2 partition size limit ([[ExtTwoSize]])

* missing hardware drivers. Current [[Mach/GnuMach]] drivers are from Linux 2.0. [[Mach/OskitMach]] will have Linux 2.2 drivers.

* swap is highly [recommended](http://www.gnu.org/software/hurd/faq.en.html#q2-7).

* 768 megabytes RAM [approximately](http://www.freesoftware.fsf.org/thug/gnumach_hardware.html#Memory).

* /dev/random and /dev/urandom default solutions missing (in progress, see [[RandomDevice]])

* No dhcp client is present yet. (See [[DhcpClient]])

* [[NewConsole]] server not in CDs or tarballs yet

* [[PthreadsLibrary]] not in CDs or tarballs yet

* sound support missing (in progress)

* um-pppd missing (see [[PppDaemon]])

* XFree86 is stabilizing

* fatfs translator is stabilizing but it does not have partition limits that get in the way. ([0\.4 released Oct 6, 2002](http://mail.gnu.org/pipermail/bug-hurd/2002-October/010576.html))

* USB support is missing

* [[ExtThree]] support is not started yet

-- [[Main/RobertMillan]] - 03 Nov 2002 clarification about Linux, the kernel.