#315 [Talk-50] Building initrd images from rpms
Closed: Talk Scheduled 2 years ago by riecatnor. Opened 2 years ago by zbyszek.

peon: Zbigniew Jędrzejewski-Szmek (zbyszek)

50 minute Talk

We currently use dracut to build initrd images. Dracut is: a mechanism to specify what files should be included in the initrd image, a mechanism to build the cpio archive, but also a system in the initrd that provides an execution queue in the initrd that works in parallel to systemd. It turns out we can build initrd images in a much simpler way: just build an cpio archive directly from rpms, and let systemd manage all jobs required to boot the machine.

Why a new way to build initrd images? Dracut is a very very complex mechanism that was built for challenges of ten years ago. We already try to split and minimize rpms to make containers smaller. We can immediately reuse this work for initrd images, instead of building a parallel system to specify which files should be included in the initrd. Systemd provides a very well tested execution queue. We don't need the parallel runqueue that was created before systemd existed. It turns out that we can build a working system already with minimal effort. Figuring out all the corner cases will require work, either to fix bugs or to reduce dependencies, but this work will be immediately useful e.g. for containers or the emergency target in the host system or minimal installations.

Who are you?

Name: Zbyszek Jędrzejewski-Szmek
FAS ID: zbyszek
IRC Nick, if not FAS ID:
Timezone: Europe
Availability for August 5-8th: 5: any time except afternoon, 6-8: any time.


I'm skeptical, but consider me interested.

I'm skeptical, but consider me interested.

The best kind of participant ;)

Hi @zbyszek - Thank you for your submission!

Your session has been accepted for Nest with Fedora. Please review the following Wiki link and advise ASAP if there are any conflicts. The schedule will be locked by Friday July 30th. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Nest_with_Fedora_2021_Schedule

Please register for Nest with Fedora on Hopin at the following link. I will need to add you as a speaker for your session in the Hopin admin dashboard.
https://hopin.com/events/nest-with-fedora-2021

If you have further questions or need assistance, feel free to email mnordin@redhat.com or drop those inquiries on this ticket. Thanks!

Please review the following Wiki link

Sat 10:00 is OK.

Please register

I'm already registered.

Metadata Update from @riecatnor:
- Issue close_status updated to: Talk Scheduled
- Issue status updated to: Closed (was: Open)

2 years ago

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