What is initrd boot mode?

David Aldrich92784

TI wiki page http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/MCSDK_UG_Chapter_Tools#Loading_and_Running_Linux_Kernel states:

U-Boot supports three ways to boot kernel and is configured through 'boot' env variable. For each of this method, the boot env variable value to be used is provided in parenthesis.

tftp kernel and initrd ramfs (ramfs);
tftp kernel and use nfs mounted filesystem (net);
using ubifs (ubi);

What is 'initrd' ?

Shouldn't boot be set to 'uinitrd' not 'ramfs' for initrd mode?

Best regards

David

over 11 years ago

0 Raja over 11 years ago

TI__Guru* 81335 points

Hi David,

The 'initrd' means initial ramdisk. Please refer below link.

http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/Initrd

uinitrd and ramfs are different. You shall use both the boot methods.

UINITRD:

The uinitrd image is a uImage formatted initrd image. For ramfs, you no need follow procedure outlined in below section.

http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/MCSDK_UG_Chapter_Exploring#How_to_boot_Linux_using_uinitrd.3F

RAMFS:

Please follow procedure outlined below section.

http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/MCSDK_UG_Chapter_Tools#Loading_and_Running_Linux_Kernel_using_tftp_with_initrd_file_system

Thanks.

0 David Aldrich92784 over 11 years ago in reply to Raja

Genius 3720 points

Hi Rajasekaran

Thanks for the links. I understand the differences between initrd and initramfs now.

I think this link:

http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/MCSDK_UG_Chapter_Tools#Loading_and_Running_Linux_Kernel_using_tftp_with_initrd_file_system

is confusing. I think t mixes the terms 'ramfs' and 'initrd' inaccurately. I think it would be better to drop the term initrd and use the terms ramfs / initramfs / RAM disk. As far as I can see, the initrd mechanism is not being used in the case under discussion.

Sorry if I am being pedantic, but for someone new to the topic it is important to use the terms accurately.

David

0 Raja over 11 years ago in reply to David Aldrich92784

TI__Guru* 81335 points

Hi David,

We are glad that your problem is solved. Thank you.

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What is initrd boot mode?