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Linux/Documentation/admin-guide/initrd.rst

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Differences between /Documentation/admin-guide/initrd.rst (Version linux-6.12-rc7) and /Documentation/admin-guide/initrd.rst (Version linux-5.1.21)


  1 Using the initial RAM disk (initrd)                 1 Using the initial RAM disk (initrd)
  2 ===================================                 2 ===================================
  3                                                     3 
  4 Written 1996,2000 by Werner Almesberger <werner      4 Written 1996,2000 by Werner Almesberger <werner.almesberger@epfl.ch> and
  5 Hans Lermen <lermen@fgan.de>                         5 Hans Lermen <lermen@fgan.de>
  6                                                     6 
  7                                                     7 
  8 initrd provides the capability to load a RAM d      8 initrd provides the capability to load a RAM disk by the boot loader.
  9 This RAM disk can then be mounted as the root       9 This RAM disk can then be mounted as the root file system and programs
 10 can be run from it. Afterwards, a new root fil     10 can be run from it. Afterwards, a new root file system can be mounted
 11 from a different device. The previous root (fr     11 from a different device. The previous root (from initrd) is then moved
 12 to a directory and can be subsequently unmount     12 to a directory and can be subsequently unmounted.
 13                                                    13 
 14 initrd is mainly designed to allow system star     14 initrd is mainly designed to allow system startup to occur in two phases,
 15 where the kernel comes up with a minimum set o     15 where the kernel comes up with a minimum set of compiled-in drivers, and
 16 where additional modules are loaded from initr     16 where additional modules are loaded from initrd.
 17                                                    17 
 18 This document gives a brief overview of the us     18 This document gives a brief overview of the use of initrd. A more detailed
 19 discussion of the boot process can be found in     19 discussion of the boot process can be found in [#f1]_.
 20                                                    20 
 21                                                    21 
 22 Operation                                          22 Operation
 23 ---------                                          23 ---------
 24                                                    24 
 25 When using initrd, the system typically boots      25 When using initrd, the system typically boots as follows:
 26                                                    26 
 27   1) the boot loader loads the kernel and the      27   1) the boot loader loads the kernel and the initial RAM disk
 28   2) the kernel converts initrd into a "normal     28   2) the kernel converts initrd into a "normal" RAM disk and
 29      frees the memory used by initrd               29      frees the memory used by initrd
 30   3) if the root device is not ``/dev/ram0``,      30   3) if the root device is not ``/dev/ram0``, the old (deprecated)
 31      change_root procedure is followed. see th     31      change_root procedure is followed. see the "Obsolete root change
 32      mechanism" section below.                     32      mechanism" section below.
 33   4) root device is mounted. if it is ``/dev/r     33   4) root device is mounted. if it is ``/dev/ram0``, the initrd image is
 34      then mounted as root                          34      then mounted as root
 35   5) /sbin/init is executed (this can be any v     35   5) /sbin/init is executed (this can be any valid executable, including
 36      shell scripts; it is run with uid 0 and c     36      shell scripts; it is run with uid 0 and can do basically everything
 37      init can do).                                 37      init can do).
 38   6) init mounts the "real" root file system       38   6) init mounts the "real" root file system
 39   7) init places the root file system at the r     39   7) init places the root file system at the root directory using the
 40      pivot_root system call                        40      pivot_root system call
 41   8) init execs the ``/sbin/init`` on the new      41   8) init execs the ``/sbin/init`` on the new root filesystem, performing
 42      the usual boot sequence                       42      the usual boot sequence
 43   9) the initrd file system is removed             43   9) the initrd file system is removed
 44                                                    44 
 45 Note that changing the root directory does not     45 Note that changing the root directory does not involve unmounting it.
 46 It is therefore possible to leave processes ru     46 It is therefore possible to leave processes running on initrd during that
 47 procedure. Also note that file systems mounted     47 procedure. Also note that file systems mounted under initrd continue to
 48 be accessible.                                     48 be accessible.
 49                                                    49 
 50                                                    50 
 51 Boot command-line options                          51 Boot command-line options
 52 -------------------------                          52 -------------------------
 53                                                    53 
 54 initrd adds the following new options::            54 initrd adds the following new options::
 55                                                    55 
 56   initrd=<path>    (e.g. LOADLIN)                  56   initrd=<path>    (e.g. LOADLIN)
 57                                                    57 
 58     Loads the specified file as the initial RA     58     Loads the specified file as the initial RAM disk. When using LILO, you
 59     have to specify the RAM disk image file in     59     have to specify the RAM disk image file in /etc/lilo.conf, using the
 60     INITRD configuration variable.                 60     INITRD configuration variable.
 61                                                    61 
 62   noinitrd                                         62   noinitrd
 63                                                    63 
 64     initrd data is preserved but it is not con     64     initrd data is preserved but it is not converted to a RAM disk and
 65     the "normal" root file system is mounted.      65     the "normal" root file system is mounted. initrd data can be read
 66     from /dev/initrd. Note that the data in in     66     from /dev/initrd. Note that the data in initrd can have any structure
 67     in this case and doesn't necessarily have      67     in this case and doesn't necessarily have to be a file system image.
 68     This option is used mainly for debugging.      68     This option is used mainly for debugging.
 69                                                    69 
 70     Note: /dev/initrd is read-only and it can      70     Note: /dev/initrd is read-only and it can only be used once. As soon
 71     as the last process has closed it, all dat     71     as the last process has closed it, all data is freed and /dev/initrd
 72     can't be opened anymore.                       72     can't be opened anymore.
 73                                                    73 
 74   root=/dev/ram0                                   74   root=/dev/ram0
 75                                                    75 
 76     initrd is mounted as root, and the normal      76     initrd is mounted as root, and the normal boot procedure is followed,
 77     with the RAM disk mounted as root.             77     with the RAM disk mounted as root.
 78                                                    78 
 79 Compressed cpio images                             79 Compressed cpio images
 80 ----------------------                             80 ----------------------
 81                                                    81 
 82 Recent kernels have support for populating a r     82 Recent kernels have support for populating a ramdisk from a compressed cpio
 83 archive. On such systems, the creation of a ra     83 archive. On such systems, the creation of a ramdisk image doesn't need to
 84 involve special block devices or loopbacks; yo     84 involve special block devices or loopbacks; you merely create a directory on
 85 disk with the desired initrd content, cd to th     85 disk with the desired initrd content, cd to that directory, and run (as an
 86 example)::                                         86 example)::
 87                                                    87 
 88         find . | cpio --quiet -H newc -o | gzi     88         find . | cpio --quiet -H newc -o | gzip -9 -n > /boot/imagefile.img
 89                                                    89 
 90 Examining the contents of an existing image fi     90 Examining the contents of an existing image file is just as simple::
 91                                                    91 
 92         mkdir /tmp/imagefile                       92         mkdir /tmp/imagefile
 93         cd /tmp/imagefile                          93         cd /tmp/imagefile
 94         gzip -cd /boot/imagefile.img | cpio -i     94         gzip -cd /boot/imagefile.img | cpio -imd --quiet
 95                                                    95 
 96 Installation                                       96 Installation
 97 ------------                                       97 ------------
 98                                                    98 
 99 First, a directory for the initrd file system      99 First, a directory for the initrd file system has to be created on the
100 "normal" root file system, e.g.::                 100 "normal" root file system, e.g.::
101                                                   101 
102         # mkdir /initrd                           102         # mkdir /initrd
103                                                   103 
104 The name is not relevant. More details can be     104 The name is not relevant. More details can be found on the
105 :manpage:`pivot_root(2)` man page.                105 :manpage:`pivot_root(2)` man page.
106                                                   106 
107 If the root file system is created during the     107 If the root file system is created during the boot procedure (i.e. if
108 you're building an install floppy), the root f    108 you're building an install floppy), the root file system creation
109 procedure should create the ``/initrd`` direct    109 procedure should create the ``/initrd`` directory.
110                                                   110 
111 If initrd will not be mounted in some cases, i    111 If initrd will not be mounted in some cases, its content is still
112 accessible if the following device has been cr    112 accessible if the following device has been created::
113                                                   113 
114         # mknod /dev/initrd b 1 250               114         # mknod /dev/initrd b 1 250
115         # chmod 400 /dev/initrd                   115         # chmod 400 /dev/initrd
116                                                   116 
117 Second, the kernel has to be compiled with RAM    117 Second, the kernel has to be compiled with RAM disk support and with
118 support for the initial RAM disk enabled. Also    118 support for the initial RAM disk enabled. Also, at least all components
119 needed to execute programs from initrd (e.g. e    119 needed to execute programs from initrd (e.g. executable format and file
120 system) must be compiled into the kernel.         120 system) must be compiled into the kernel.
121                                                   121 
122 Third, you have to create the RAM disk image.     122 Third, you have to create the RAM disk image. This is done by creating a
123 file system on a block device, copying files t    123 file system on a block device, copying files to it as needed, and then
124 copying the content of the block device to the    124 copying the content of the block device to the initrd file. With recent
125 kernels, at least three types of devices are s    125 kernels, at least three types of devices are suitable for that:
126                                                   126 
127  - a floppy disk (works everywhere but it's pa    127  - a floppy disk (works everywhere but it's painfully slow)
128  - a RAM disk (fast, but allocates physical me    128  - a RAM disk (fast, but allocates physical memory)
129  - a loopback device (the most elegant solutio    129  - a loopback device (the most elegant solution)
130                                                   130 
131 We'll describe the loopback device method:        131 We'll describe the loopback device method:
132                                                   132 
133  1) make sure loopback block devices are confi    133  1) make sure loopback block devices are configured into the kernel
134  2) create an empty file system of the appropr    134  2) create an empty file system of the appropriate size, e.g.::
135                                                   135 
136         # dd if=/dev/zero of=initrd bs=300k co    136         # dd if=/dev/zero of=initrd bs=300k count=1
137         # mke2fs -F -m0 initrd                    137         # mke2fs -F -m0 initrd
138                                                   138 
139     (if space is critical, you may want to use    139     (if space is critical, you may want to use the Minix FS instead of Ext2)
140  3) mount the file system, e.g.::                 140  3) mount the file system, e.g.::
141                                                   141 
142         # mount -t ext2 -o loop initrd /mnt       142         # mount -t ext2 -o loop initrd /mnt
143                                                   143 
144  4) create the console device::                   144  4) create the console device::
145                                                   145 
146     # mkdir /mnt/dev                              146     # mkdir /mnt/dev
147     # mknod /mnt/dev/console c 5 1                147     # mknod /mnt/dev/console c 5 1
148                                                   148 
149  5) copy all the files that are needed to prop    149  5) copy all the files that are needed to properly use the initrd
150     environment. Don't forget the most importa    150     environment. Don't forget the most important file, ``/sbin/init``
151                                                   151 
152     .. note:: ``/sbin/init`` permissions must     152     .. note:: ``/sbin/init`` permissions must include "x" (execute).
153                                                   153 
154  6) correct operation the initrd environment c    154  6) correct operation the initrd environment can frequently be tested
155     even without rebooting with the command::     155     even without rebooting with the command::
156                                                   156 
157         # chroot /mnt /sbin/init                  157         # chroot /mnt /sbin/init
158                                                   158 
159     This is of course limited to initrds that     159     This is of course limited to initrds that do not interfere with the
160     general system state (e.g. by reconfigurin    160     general system state (e.g. by reconfiguring network interfaces,
161     overwriting mounted devices, trying to sta    161     overwriting mounted devices, trying to start already running demons,
162     etc. Note however that it is usually possi    162     etc. Note however that it is usually possible to use pivot_root in
163     such a chroot'ed initrd environment.)         163     such a chroot'ed initrd environment.)
164  7) unmount the file system::                     164  7) unmount the file system::
165                                                   165 
166         # umount /mnt                             166         # umount /mnt
167                                                   167 
168  8) the initrd is now in the file "initrd". Op    168  8) the initrd is now in the file "initrd". Optionally, it can now be
169     compressed::                                  169     compressed::
170                                                   170 
171         # gzip -9 initrd                          171         # gzip -9 initrd
172                                                   172 
173 For experimenting with initrd, you may want to    173 For experimenting with initrd, you may want to take a rescue floppy and
174 only add a symbolic link from ``/sbin/init`` t    174 only add a symbolic link from ``/sbin/init`` to ``/bin/sh``. Alternatively, you
175 can try the experimental newlib environment [#    175 can try the experimental newlib environment [#f2]_ to create a small
176 initrd.                                           176 initrd.
177                                                   177 
178 Finally, you have to boot the kernel and load     178 Finally, you have to boot the kernel and load initrd. Almost all Linux
179 boot loaders support initrd. Since the boot pr    179 boot loaders support initrd. Since the boot process is still compatible
180 with an older mechanism, the following boot co    180 with an older mechanism, the following boot command line parameters
181 have to be given::                                181 have to be given::
182                                                   182 
183   root=/dev/ram0 rw                               183   root=/dev/ram0 rw
184                                                   184 
185 (rw is only necessary if writing to the initrd    185 (rw is only necessary if writing to the initrd file system.)
186                                                   186 
187 With LOADLIN, you simply execute::                187 With LOADLIN, you simply execute::
188                                                   188 
189      LOADLIN <kernel> initrd=<disk_image>         189      LOADLIN <kernel> initrd=<disk_image>
190                                                   190 
191 e.g.::                                            191 e.g.::
192                                                   192 
193         LOADLIN C:\LINUX\BZIMAGE initrd=C:\LIN    193         LOADLIN C:\LINUX\BZIMAGE initrd=C:\LINUX\INITRD.GZ root=/dev/ram0 rw
194                                                   194 
195 With LILO, you add the option ``INITRD=<path>`    195 With LILO, you add the option ``INITRD=<path>`` to either the global section
196 or to the section of the respective kernel in     196 or to the section of the respective kernel in ``/etc/lilo.conf``, and pass
197 the options using APPEND, e.g.::                  197 the options using APPEND, e.g.::
198                                                   198 
199   image = /bzImage                                199   image = /bzImage
200     initrd = /boot/initrd.gz                      200     initrd = /boot/initrd.gz
201     append = "root=/dev/ram0 rw"                  201     append = "root=/dev/ram0 rw"
202                                                   202 
203 and run ``/sbin/lilo``                            203 and run ``/sbin/lilo``
204                                                   204 
205 For other boot loaders, please refer to the re    205 For other boot loaders, please refer to the respective documentation.
206                                                   206 
207 Now you can boot and enjoy using initrd.          207 Now you can boot and enjoy using initrd.
208                                                   208 
209                                                   209 
210 Changing the root device                          210 Changing the root device
211 ------------------------                          211 ------------------------
212                                                   212 
213 When finished with its duties, init typically     213 When finished with its duties, init typically changes the root device
214 and proceeds with starting the Linux system on    214 and proceeds with starting the Linux system on the "real" root device.
215                                                   215 
216 The procedure involves the following steps:       216 The procedure involves the following steps:
217  - mounting the new root file system              217  - mounting the new root file system
218  - turning it into the root file system           218  - turning it into the root file system
219  - removing all accesses to the old (initrd) r    219  - removing all accesses to the old (initrd) root file system
220  - unmounting the initrd file system and de-al    220  - unmounting the initrd file system and de-allocating the RAM disk
221                                                   221 
222 Mounting the new root file system is easy: it     222 Mounting the new root file system is easy: it just needs to be mounted on
223 a directory under the current root. Example::     223 a directory under the current root. Example::
224                                                   224 
225         # mkdir /new-root                         225         # mkdir /new-root
226         # mount -o ro /dev/hda1 /new-root         226         # mount -o ro /dev/hda1 /new-root
227                                                   227 
228 The root change is accomplished with the pivot    228 The root change is accomplished with the pivot_root system call, which
229 is also available via the ``pivot_root`` utili    229 is also available via the ``pivot_root`` utility (see :manpage:`pivot_root(8)`
230 man page; ``pivot_root`` is distributed with u    230 man page; ``pivot_root`` is distributed with util-linux version 2.10h or higher
231 [#f3]_). ``pivot_root`` moves the current root    231 [#f3]_). ``pivot_root`` moves the current root to a directory under the new
232 root, and puts the new root at its place. The     232 root, and puts the new root at its place. The directory for the old root
233 must exist before calling ``pivot_root``. Exam    233 must exist before calling ``pivot_root``. Example::
234                                                   234 
235         # cd /new-root                            235         # cd /new-root
236         # mkdir initrd                            236         # mkdir initrd
237         # pivot_root . initrd                     237         # pivot_root . initrd
238                                                   238 
239 Now, the init process may still access the old    239 Now, the init process may still access the old root via its
240 executable, shared libraries, standard input/o    240 executable, shared libraries, standard input/output/error, and its
241 current root directory. All these references a    241 current root directory. All these references are dropped by the
242 following command::                               242 following command::
243                                                   243 
244         # exec chroot . what-follows <dev/cons    244         # exec chroot . what-follows <dev/console >dev/console 2>&1
245                                                   245 
246 Where what-follows is a program under the new     246 Where what-follows is a program under the new root, e.g. ``/sbin/init``
247 If the new root file system will be used with     247 If the new root file system will be used with udev and has no valid
248 ``/dev`` directory, udev must be initialized b    248 ``/dev`` directory, udev must be initialized before invoking chroot in order
249 to provide ``/dev/console``.                      249 to provide ``/dev/console``.
250                                                   250 
251 Note: implementation details of pivot_root may    251 Note: implementation details of pivot_root may change with time. In order
252 to ensure compatibility, the following points     252 to ensure compatibility, the following points should be observed:
253                                                   253 
254  - before calling pivot_root, the current dire    254  - before calling pivot_root, the current directory of the invoking
255    process should point to the new root direct    255    process should point to the new root directory
256  - use . as the first argument, and the _relat    256  - use . as the first argument, and the _relative_ path of the directory
257    for the old root as the second argument        257    for the old root as the second argument
258  - a chroot program must be available under th    258  - a chroot program must be available under the old and the new root
259  - chroot to the new root afterwards              259  - chroot to the new root afterwards
260  - use relative paths for dev/console in the e    260  - use relative paths for dev/console in the exec command
261                                                   261 
262 Now, the initrd can be unmounted and the memor    262 Now, the initrd can be unmounted and the memory allocated by the RAM
263 disk can be freed::                               263 disk can be freed::
264                                                   264 
265         # umount /initrd                          265         # umount /initrd
266         # blockdev --flushbufs /dev/ram0          266         # blockdev --flushbufs /dev/ram0
267                                                   267 
268 It is also possible to use initrd with an NFS-    268 It is also possible to use initrd with an NFS-mounted root, see the
269 :manpage:`pivot_root(8)` man page for details.    269 :manpage:`pivot_root(8)` man page for details.
270                                                   270 
271                                                   271 
272 Usage scenarios                                   272 Usage scenarios
273 ---------------                                   273 ---------------
274                                                   274 
275 The main motivation for implementing initrd wa    275 The main motivation for implementing initrd was to allow for modular
276 kernel configuration at system installation. T    276 kernel configuration at system installation. The procedure would work
277 as follows:                                       277 as follows:
278                                                   278 
279   1) system boots from floppy or other media w    279   1) system boots from floppy or other media with a minimal kernel
280      (e.g. support for RAM disks, initrd, a.ou    280      (e.g. support for RAM disks, initrd, a.out, and the Ext2 FS) and
281      loads initrd                                 281      loads initrd
282   2) ``/sbin/init`` determines what is needed     282   2) ``/sbin/init`` determines what is needed to (1) mount the "real" root FS
283      (i.e. device type, device drivers, file s    283      (i.e. device type, device drivers, file system) and (2) the
284      distribution media (e.g. CD-ROM, network,    284      distribution media (e.g. CD-ROM, network, tape, ...). This can be
285      done by asking the user, by auto-probing,    285      done by asking the user, by auto-probing, or by using a hybrid
286      approach.                                    286      approach.
287   3) ``/sbin/init`` loads the necessary kernel    287   3) ``/sbin/init`` loads the necessary kernel modules
288   4) ``/sbin/init`` creates and populates the     288   4) ``/sbin/init`` creates and populates the root file system (this doesn't
289      have to be a very usable system yet)         289      have to be a very usable system yet)
290   5) ``/sbin/init`` invokes ``pivot_root`` to     290   5) ``/sbin/init`` invokes ``pivot_root`` to change the root file system and
291      execs - via chroot - a program that conti    291      execs - via chroot - a program that continues the installation
292   6) the boot loader is installed                 292   6) the boot loader is installed
293   7) the boot loader is configured to load an     293   7) the boot loader is configured to load an initrd with the set of
294      modules that was used to bring up the sys    294      modules that was used to bring up the system (e.g. ``/initrd`` can be
295      modified, then unmounted, and finally, th    295      modified, then unmounted, and finally, the image is written from
296      ``/dev/ram0`` or ``/dev/rd/0`` to a file)    296      ``/dev/ram0`` or ``/dev/rd/0`` to a file)
297   8) now the system is bootable and additional    297   8) now the system is bootable and additional installation tasks can be
298      performed                                    298      performed
299                                                   299 
300 The key role of initrd here is to re-use the c    300 The key role of initrd here is to re-use the configuration data during
301 normal system operation without requiring the     301 normal system operation without requiring the use of a bloated "generic"
302 kernel or re-compiling or re-linking the kerne    302 kernel or re-compiling or re-linking the kernel.
303                                                   303 
304 A second scenario is for installations where L    304 A second scenario is for installations where Linux runs on systems with
305 different hardware configurations in a single     305 different hardware configurations in a single administrative domain. In
306 such cases, it is desirable to generate only a    306 such cases, it is desirable to generate only a small set of kernels
307 (ideally only one) and to keep the system-spec    307 (ideally only one) and to keep the system-specific part of configuration
308 information as small as possible. In this case    308 information as small as possible. In this case, a common initrd could be
309 generated with all the necessary modules. Then    309 generated with all the necessary modules. Then, only ``/sbin/init`` or a file
310 read by it would have to be different.            310 read by it would have to be different.
311                                                   311 
312 A third scenario is more convenient recovery d    312 A third scenario is more convenient recovery disks, because information
313 like the location of the root FS partition doe    313 like the location of the root FS partition doesn't have to be provided at
314 boot time, but the system loaded from initrd c    314 boot time, but the system loaded from initrd can invoke a user-friendly
315 dialog and it can also perform some sanity che    315 dialog and it can also perform some sanity checks (or even some form of
316 auto-detection).                                  316 auto-detection).
317                                                   317 
318 Last not least, CD-ROM distributors may use it    318 Last not least, CD-ROM distributors may use it for better installation
319 from CD, e.g. by using a boot floppy and boots    319 from CD, e.g. by using a boot floppy and bootstrapping a bigger RAM disk
320 via initrd from CD; or by booting via a loader    320 via initrd from CD; or by booting via a loader like ``LOADLIN`` or directly
321 from the CD-ROM, and loading the RAM disk from    321 from the CD-ROM, and loading the RAM disk from CD without need of
322 floppies.                                         322 floppies.
323                                                   323 
324                                                   324 
325 Obsolete root change mechanism                    325 Obsolete root change mechanism
326 ------------------------------                    326 ------------------------------
327                                                   327 
328 The following mechanism was used before the in    328 The following mechanism was used before the introduction of pivot_root.
329 Current kernels still support it, but you shou    329 Current kernels still support it, but you should _not_ rely on its
330 continued availability.                           330 continued availability.
331                                                   331 
332 It works by mounting the "real" root device (i    332 It works by mounting the "real" root device (i.e. the one set with rdev
333 in the kernel image or with root=... at the bo    333 in the kernel image or with root=... at the boot command line) as the
334 root file system when linuxrc exits. The initr    334 root file system when linuxrc exits. The initrd file system is then
335 unmounted, or, if it is still busy, moved to a    335 unmounted, or, if it is still busy, moved to a directory ``/initrd``, if
336 such a directory exists on the new root file s    336 such a directory exists on the new root file system.
337                                                   337 
338 In order to use this mechanism, you do not hav    338 In order to use this mechanism, you do not have to specify the boot
339 command options root, init, or rw. (If specifi    339 command options root, init, or rw. (If specified, they will affect
340 the real root file system, not the initrd envi    340 the real root file system, not the initrd environment.)
341                                                   341 
342 If /proc is mounted, the "real" root device ca    342 If /proc is mounted, the "real" root device can be changed from within
343 linuxrc by writing the number of the new root     343 linuxrc by writing the number of the new root FS device to the special
344 file /proc/sys/kernel/real-root-dev, e.g.::       344 file /proc/sys/kernel/real-root-dev, e.g.::
345                                                   345 
346   # echo 0x301 >/proc/sys/kernel/real-root-dev    346   # echo 0x301 >/proc/sys/kernel/real-root-dev
347                                                   347 
348 Note that the mechanism is incompatible with N    348 Note that the mechanism is incompatible with NFS and similar file
349 systems.                                          349 systems.
350                                                   350 
351 This old, deprecated mechanism is commonly cal    351 This old, deprecated mechanism is commonly called ``change_root``, while
352 the new, supported mechanism is called ``pivot    352 the new, supported mechanism is called ``pivot_root``.
353                                                   353 
354                                                   354 
355 Mixed change_root and pivot_root mechanism        355 Mixed change_root and pivot_root mechanism
356 ------------------------------------------        356 ------------------------------------------
357                                                   357 
358 In case you did not want to use ``root=/dev/ra    358 In case you did not want to use ``root=/dev/ram0`` to trigger the pivot_root
359 mechanism, you may create both ``/linuxrc`` an    359 mechanism, you may create both ``/linuxrc`` and ``/sbin/init`` in your initrd
360 image.                                            360 image.
361                                                   361 
362 ``/linuxrc`` would contain only the following:    362 ``/linuxrc`` would contain only the following::
363                                                   363 
364         #! /bin/sh                                364         #! /bin/sh
365         mount -n -t proc proc /proc               365         mount -n -t proc proc /proc
366         echo 0x0100 >/proc/sys/kernel/real-roo    366         echo 0x0100 >/proc/sys/kernel/real-root-dev
367         umount -n /proc                           367         umount -n /proc
368                                                   368 
369 Once linuxrc exited, the kernel would mount ag    369 Once linuxrc exited, the kernel would mount again your initrd as root,
370 this time executing ``/sbin/init``. Again, it     370 this time executing ``/sbin/init``. Again, it would be the duty of this init
371 to build the right environment (maybe using th    371 to build the right environment (maybe using the ``root= device`` passed on
372 the cmdline) before the final execution of the    372 the cmdline) before the final execution of the real ``/sbin/init``.
373                                                   373 
374                                                   374 
375 Resources                                         375 Resources
376 ---------                                         376 ---------
377                                                   377 
378 .. [#f1] Almesberger, Werner; "Booting Linux:     378 .. [#f1] Almesberger, Werner; "Booting Linux: The History and the Future"
379     https://www.almesberger.net/cv/papers/ols2 !! 379     http://www.almesberger.net/cv/papers/ols2k-9.ps.gz
380 .. [#f2] newlib package (experimental), with i    380 .. [#f2] newlib package (experimental), with initrd example
381     https://www.sourceware.org/newlib/            381     https://www.sourceware.org/newlib/
382 .. [#f3] util-linux: Miscellaneous utilities f    382 .. [#f3] util-linux: Miscellaneous utilities for Linux
383     https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/utils/uti    383     https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/utils/util-linux/
                                                      

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