chapter: role of the initramfs
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Description
probably under LinuxBoot Components
TL;DR Linux needs a rootfs; either storage/partition with any supported fs, or initrd, or initramfs
initrd is being deprecated (has been for a decade anyway...):
https://www.phoronix.com/news/Initrd-Linux-Try-Removing-2025
because it is treated as a block device, which causes overhead
initramfs just means it's a cpio, can be either included in the kernel (CONFIG_INITRAMFS_SOURCE, mind calling it *.cpio or, if compressed. *.cpio.xz etc) or passed by placing in memory and giving the address via cmdline.
initrd can also be passed via cmdline, and the distinction is made by Linux when it recognizes a cpio - then it's an initramfs.
cmdline argument: initrdmem https://www.kernel.org/doc/html/latest/admin-guide/kernel-parameters.html
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First steps
- Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
- Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
- Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
- Open a pull request that references the issue number.
Research direction
Start from the LinuxBoot Components section and read the linked kernel documentation on ramfs, initramfs, initrd, and kernel parameters. Add a chapter explaining the rootfs options and the distinction between initrd and initramfs, with the relevant command-line and CONFIG_INITRAMFS_SOURCE details; done means the role and terminology are clear to readers.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- linux
- Domain
- documentation, operating-systems
- Issue type
- Documentation
- Difficulty
- 2/5
- Estimated time
- 1-3 hours
- Activity status
- Stale
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 52/100