Man pages › Compared with Linux and the BSDs

`b2sum(1)` on Solnix vs Linux and the BSDs

b2sum is not in the Solnix base system: install pkgs.solnix.coreutils to get the GNU coreutils b2sum. Its options match the Linux GNU b2sum. The only documented difference is the -l wording and a 'Legacy interface to the cksum utility' remark on the Linux page. The bundle has no BSD b2sum page.

The manual pages

Solnix: b2sum(1) from pkgs.solnix.coreutils
Linux: b2sum(1) coreutils-full-9.11

What Solnix runs

Not installed by default: add pkgs.solnix.coreutils. The published page is the GNU coreutils b2sum (page footer: GNU coreutils 9.7, April 2025). The bundle does not say whether the base illumos system ships any other BLAKE2 checksum command.

Differences

Compared with	Topic	What differs
Linux	same program	Solnix (pkgs.solnix.coreutils) and Linux both document GNU coreutils b2sum with the same synopsis and the same option set: `-b`, `-c`, `-l`, `-t`, `-w`, `-z`, `--tag`, `--ignore-missing`, `--quiet`, `--status`, `--strict`. Scripts written for Linux b2sum should use the same options. Source: Solnix b2sum(1) SYNOPSIS and DESCRIPTION; Linux b2sum(1) SYNOPSIS and DESCRIPTION
Linux	`-l`/-`-length` wording	The Solnix page says `--length` must not exceed the max for the blake2 algorithm and must be a multiple of 8. The Linux page adds that for sha2 or sha3 it must be 224, 256, 384 or 512. The Linux text is for a newer coreutils; Solnix lists the multiple-of-8 rule only. Source: Solnix b2sum(1) -l, --length; Linux b2sum(1) -l, --length
Linux	cksum relationship	The Linux page calls b2sum a 'Legacy interface to the cksum utility'. The Solnix page does not say this. Both pages list cksum(1) under SEE ALSO. Source: Linux b2sum(1) DESCRIPTION; Solnix b2sum(1) DESCRIPTION and SEE ALSO
Linux	coreutils version	The Solnix page is from GNU coreutils 9.7 (April 2025). The Linux page comes from coreutils-full-9.11. Behaviour newer than 9.7 may not be present on Solnix; the Solnix page does not list any. Source: Solnix b2sum(1) footer (GNU coreutils 9.7); bundle header (Linux coreutils-full-9.11)
FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD	no BSD counterpart page	The bundle includes no b2sum page for FreeBSD, OpenBSD or NetBSD, so the manual cannot be used to say how they differ. Check those systems yourself before relying on b2sum there. Source: Bundle header (only a Linux counterpart is listed)
Linux	text and binary mode	On both Solnix and Linux, text mode is the default. Binary mode only changes the mode character in the output ('*' for binary, ' ' for text). The page says there is no difference between the two modes on GNU systems. Source: Solnix b2sum(1) -t, DESCRIPTION; Linux b2sum(1) -t, DESCRIPTION

Standards

POSIX: b2sum is not a POSIX.1-2024 utility.
Solnix: The page says the sums are computed as described in RFC 7693.
Linux: The page says the sums are computed as described in RFC 7693.

Writing portable scripts

Do not assume b2sum exists on a base Solnix or BSD system; check with command -v b2sum and install pkgs.solnix.coreutils on Solnix.
Stick to the default output format and -c for verification. --tag creates BSD-style lines, and the bundle shows no BSD page to confirm that other systems accept them.

Every difference here is taken from the manual pages linked above: Solnix's published page, Linux (man-pages and the GNU and util-linux manuals), FreeBSD, OpenBSD and NetBSD. Each row names its source. Where a manual is silent, this page is too. Compiled 2026-10-26. Found a mistake? Mail hackers@lists.solnix.io.