INITRAMFS.CONF(5)                     initramfs.conf manual                     INITRAMFS.CONF(5)



NAME
       initramfs.conf - configuration file for mkinitramfs


DESCRIPTION
       The behaviour of mkinitramfs can be modified by its configuration file.

       Each  line  in  the  file can be a configuration variable, a blank line, or a comment. The
       value of an variable is assigned by an statement of the form: name=[value]

       Configuration options can be broken out into configuration snippets and placed in individ‐
       ual  files  in  the  /etc/initramfs-tools/conf.d  directory.   Files in this directory are
       always read after the main configuration file, so you can override  the  settings  in  the
       main config file without editing it directly.


GENERAL VARIABLES
        MODULES
              Specifies the modules for the initramfs image.

              Modules  listed in /etc/initramfs-tools/modules and /usr/share/initramfs-tools/mod‐
              ules.d/* are always included in the initramfs, and are loaded  early  in  the  boot
              process.


              list  doesn't  load any additional modules at boot time, other than those listed in
              the above files.

              most adds most file system, all ata, sata, scsi and usb drivers.

              dep tries to guess which modules are necessary for the running box  and  only  adds
              those modules.

              netboot adds the base and network modules, but skips block devices.


              The default setting is most.


        BUSYBOX
              Include  busybox  utilities  for  the boot scripts.  If set to 'n' mkinitramfs will
              build an initramfs without busybox.  Beware that many  boot  scripts  need  busybox
              utilities.


        KEYMAP
              If  set  to 'y', the console keymap will be loaded during the initramfs stage.  The
              keymap will anyway be loaded by the initscripts later, and the packages that  might
              need  input will normally set this variable automatically, so there should normally
              be no need to set this.


        COMPRESS
              Specifies the compression method used for the initramfs  image.   mkinitramfs  will
              default  to  gzip  if  the  kernel  lacks  support (CONFIG_RD) or the corresponding
              userspace utility is not present.


        UMASK Set the umask value of the generated initramfs file.  Useful to not disclose  even‐
              tual keys.


NFS VARIABLES
        BOOT  Allows  one  to  use an nfs drive as the root of the drive.  The default is to boot
              from local media (hard drive, USB stick).  Set to nfs for an NFS root share.


        DEVICE
              Specifies the network interface, like eth0.


        ROOT  Allows optional root bootarg hardcoding, when no root bootarg  can  be  passed.   A
              root bootarg overrides that special setting.


        NFSROOT
              Defaults to auto in order to pick up value from DHCP server.  Otherwise you need to
              specify HOST:MOUNT.


FILES
       /etc/initramfs-tools/initramfs.conf


AUTHOR
       The initramfs-tools are written by Maximilian Attems <maks AT debian.org>, Jeff Bailey <jbai‐
       ley AT raspberryginger.com>  and  numerous others.  Loosely based on mkinitrd.conf by Herbert
       Xu.


SEE ALSO
        initramfs-tools(8), mkinitramfs(8), update-initramfs(8).



Linux                                       2010/11/22                          INITRAMFS.CONF(5)