Creating CD's on Linux
Both CD recordables (CD-R) and Read-Writeables (CD-RW) can be created on Linux.
Limitations for the CD-RW's are that its preformated filesystemen UDF cannot be used (so it must be blanked first) and (older) CD players may not be able to read them physically.
Command line utilities mkisofs, cdrecord and cdrdao
Creating a data CD is usually a two step process:
- creating an iso9660 image
- burning the image on the CD.
See the corresponding manpages for detailed information about enhanced usage and options. Here are some examples for common use. Note that cdrecord and cdrdao have some overlapping functionality.
Setting up the cdwriter drive is not covered here. Contact the helpdesk if this is not already done.
Example creating an iso9660 image:
mkisofs -R -o /localstore/images/mycd.iso sourcedir
Example burning the image:
cdrecord -data fs=4m speed=4 /localstore/images/mycd.iso
Example blanking a CD-RW disk (“all” may be “fast” as well if you are in a hurry):
cdrecord fs=4m blank=all speed=4
or
cdrdao blank
Example copying a CD (data or audio)
cd /localstore/images; cdrdao copy
GUI utilities Xcdroast and KOnCD
These utilities with graphical front-end are using mkisofs and cdrecord underneath. They are more or less self-explaining. The options from mkisofs and cdrecord can be chosen via check boxes.
KonCD can be found in the KDE menu. Xcdroast must be stated from within a terminal window (e.g. Xterm).