Gentoo VPS is based on the Linux kernel and built using the Portage package management system. The "Gentoo" name comes from the fast-swimming Gentoo penguin, representing potential speed improvements of machine-specific optimization. Gentoo VPS package management is designed to be modular, portable and easy to maintain. Gentoo is sometimes described as a meta-distribution, "because of its near-unlimited adaptability," in that the majority of users have configurations and sets of installed programs which are unique to themselves.