On Tuesday 28 July 2015 08:31:58 Rich Freeman wrote:
> On Tue, Jul 28, 2015 at 8:16 AM, Neil Bothwick <n...@digimed.co.uk> wrote:
> > On Tue, 28 Jul 2015 12:39:47 +0100, Peter Humphrey wrote:
> >> In particular, is there a suitable installation medium that can create
> >> BTRFS before installing into it?
> >
> > System Rescue Cd
So I see now I try it. I only asked because I didn't see it mentioned on their
website.
> > I've just installed a new laptop with it, using btrfs
> > for everything but /boot.
I know you use grub-2, which can boot that setup, but I suppose I'd need an
init thingy if I stick to grub legacy.
> Agree - I use that as my, well, rescue image in part because it ships
> recent kernels and has btrfs support. Just be sure to use the most
> recent version, and boot with the alternate kernel (which is currently
> 3.18-based). With btrfs you'll want a recent kernel - I am currently
> tracking 3.18 which is the most recent longterm, and will probably
> jump to the next longterm when it matures.
>
> Just avoid parity raid (raid5/6) for now
Yes, I was just going to use RAID-1.
> Grub2 can also read your kernel/initramfs from btrfs, so I'd recommend
> it even though you're trying to avoid it. Otherwise you're probably
> going to need a separate ext4 boot partition (I don't think legacy
> grub can read btrfs). I just make install my kernels and use
> grub2-mkconfig - it is nice having a list of older kernels
> auto-updated. Or you can hand-roll the config like you do in grub -
> it isn't any harder than it used to be but there just aren't as many
> docs on how to do it.
My main reason for preferring grub legacy is illustrated by my present
grub.conf:
title=Gentoo Linux 4.0.5
kernel /boot/kernel-x86_64-4.0.5-gentoo root=/dev/md5 net.ifnames=0
irqpoll
title=Gentoo Linux 4.0.5, no X
kernel /boot/kernel-x86_64-4.0.5-gentoo root=/dev/md5 softlevel=nox
net.ifnames=0 irqpoll
title=Gentoo Linux 4.0.5, no network
kernel /boot/kernel-x86_64-4.0.5-gentoo root=/dev/md5 softlevel=nonet
net.ifnames=0 irqpoll
title=Gentoo Linux 3.18.16
kernel /boot/kernel-x86_64-3.18.16-gentoo root=/dev/md5 net.ifnames=0
irqpoll
title=Gentoo Linux 3.18.16, no X
kernel /boot/kernel-x86_64-3.18.16-gentoo root=/dev/md5 softlevel=nox
net.ifnames=0 irqpoll
title=Gentoo Linux 3.18.16, no network
kernel /boot/kernel-x86_64-3.18.16-gentoo root=/dev/md5 softlevel=nonet
net.ifnames=0 irqpoll
title=Rescue System 3.18.12
kernel /boot/kernel-x86_64-3.18.12-gentoo-rescue root=/dev/sda8
net.ifnames=0 irqpoll
title=Rescue System 4.0.5
kernel /boot/kernel-x86_64-4.0.5-gentoo-rescue root=/dev/sda8
net.ifnames=0 irqpoll
I know it's supposed to be possible to set up something like that in grub-2,
but last time I tried it I got into a mess and gave up.
As you say, guidance is hard to find.
--
Rgds
Peter
