Re: initrd loading of boot-modules
Adam Di Carlo wrote:
>
> Rene Mayrhofer <rene.mayrhofer@vianova.at> writes:
>
> > I am currently working on a extension to the debian kernel-package that
> > will allow modules needed for mounting the root partition to be loaded
> > from an initrd image.[...]
> > I would like to hear what you think about this. My company is producing
> > a debian-based firewall (which will be released under the gpl)
> > distribution and I will definitely use the initrd images for booting it.
>
> I think its an excellent idea. Remember also the following scenarios:
>
> - PCMCIA network booting
> - someone mentioned PCMCIA floppy booting
> - booting from SCSI cdrom (all modules)
> - booting from more exotic media, such as PLIP, DVD, etc.
>
> As far as I know, the only things where initrd helps it for mounting
> *root*. For things required to *boot* (and from which one may load
> initrd) obviously it can't be modularized.
Initrd can only help when the compressed initrd image can be loaded
using bios functions (lilo does that), but there is the same problem
getting the linux kernel into memory. Short said, initrd can be used as
soon as the linux kernel can be loaded (lilo, loadlin, ...).
> > I do not want to recompiled kernel for scsi controller support (most
> > firewall have scsi)
>
> Well, I think you're under a misapprehsion if you think that anyone
> requiring SCSI support needs to build their own kernel. That is not
> the case at all.
It is the case for special scsi controllers AFAIK. I had problems
compiling two scsi different drivers (I can't remember which) into the
kernel - they conflicted in some way. But when I use modules to mount
the root partition, I can compile every available driver.
> I don't think we'll be ready in potato for this, more's the pity. But
> I definately think it's a great idea.
I hope that it will help a few people.
greets,
Rene
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