summaryrefslogtreecommitdiffstats
path: root/mkinitcpio.8.txt
diff options
context:
space:
mode:
Diffstat (limited to 'mkinitcpio.8.txt')
-rw-r--r--mkinitcpio.8.txt150
1 files changed, 150 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/mkinitcpio.8.txt b/mkinitcpio.8.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f963dac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/mkinitcpio.8.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,150 @@
+/////
+vim:set ts=4 sw=4 syntax=asciidoc noet:
+/////
+mkinitcpio(5)
+=============
+
+Name
+----
+mkinitcpio - Create an initial ramdisk environment
+
+Synopsis
+--------
+mkinitcpio ['OPTIONS']
+
+Description
+-----------
+Creates an initial ramdisk environment for booting the linux kernel. The
+initial ramdisk is in essence a very small environment (early userspace) which
+loads various kernel modules and sets up necessary things before handing over
+control to init. This makes it possible to have, for example, encrypted root
+filesystems and root filesystems on a software RAID array. mkinitcpio allows
+for easy extension with custom hooks, has autodetection at runtime, and many
+other features.
+
+Options
+-------
+*-b* 'basedir'::
+ Use 'basedir' as a starting point for gathering information about the
+ currently running system. Default: /.
+
+*-c* 'config'::
+ Use 'config' file to generate the ramdisk. Default: /etc/mkinitcpio.conf
+
+*-g* 'filename'::
+ Generate a CPIO image as 'filename'. Default: no; this means nothing will be
+ written to the filesystem unless this option is specified.
+
+*-H* 'hookname'::
+ Output help for hookname 'hookname'.
+
+*-h*::
+ Output a short overview of available command-line switches.
+
+*-k* 'kernelversion'::
+ Use 'kernelversion', instead of the current running kernel. This may be a
+ path to a kernel image or a specific kernel version. If specified as a path to
+ an image, this will always be prefixed by the 'basedir'.
+
+*-L*::
+ List all available hooks.
+
+*-M*::
+ Display modules found via autodetection. mkinitcpio will automatically try to
+ determine which kernel modules are needed to start your computer. This option
+ lists which modules were detected.
+
+*-n*::
+ Disable color output.
+
+*-p* 'preset'::
+ Build initramfs image(s) according to specified 'preset'. This may be a file in
+ /etc/mkinitcpio.d (without the .preset extension) or a full, absolute path to a
+ file.
+
+*-S* 'hooks'::
+ Skip 'hooks' when generating the image. Several hooks should be comma-separated.
+
+*-s*::
+ Saves the build directory for the initial ramdisk. Default: no; This means
+ the directory will not be retained if this option isn't specified. Useful for
+ debugging purposes.
+
+*-t* 'tmpdir'::
+ Use 'tmpdir' as the temporary build directory instead of /tmp. 'tmpdir'
+ must exist.
+
+*-v*::
+ Verbose output. Outputs more information about what's happening during
+ creation of the ramdisk.
+
+*-z* 'compress'::
+ Override the compression method with the 'compress' program.
+
+About Hooks
+-----------
+A hook is a script that executes in the initial ramdisk. Scripts are listed in
+order of execution as a space separated string in the *HOOKS* variable in the
+mkinitcpio configuration file. Hooks can, for example, set up the udev device
+filesystem, load IDE modules, etc.
+
+About Presets
+-------------
+A preset is a pre-defined definition on how to create an initial ramdisk.
+Instead of specifying the configuration file and which output file, every time
+you generate a new initial ramdisk, you define a preset and use the -p switch
+to generate an initial ramdisk according to your preset. Presets are located in
+/etc/mkinitcpio.d
+
+Files
+-----
+'/etc/mkinitcpio.conf'::
+ Default configuration file for mkinitcpio.
+
+'/etc/mkinitcpio.d'::
+ Folder containing mkinitcpio presets.
+
+'/lib/initcpio'::
+ Files related to creating an initial ramdisk.
+
+Examples
+--------
+*mkinitcpio*::
+ Perform a 'dry-run'. This will generate an initial ramdisk but will not
+ write anything. Use -g to create the real image.
+
+*mkinitcpio -p kernel26*::
+ Create an initial ramdisk based on the 'kernel26' preset.
+
+*mkinitcpio -b /mnt -g /mnt/boot/kernel26.img -k /boot/vmlinuz26*::
+ Create an initial ramdisk for the root at /mnt, with the kernel at
+ /mnt/boot/vmlinuz26. The resulting image will be written to
+ /mnt/boot/kernel26.img.
+
+See also
+--------
+A more thorough article on configuring mkinitcpio:
+<http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Configuring_mkinitcpio>
+
+initrd(4)
+
+Bugs
+----
+Upon writing this manpage, there were no noticeable bugs present. Please visit
+<http://bugs.archlinux.org/> for an up to date list.
+
+Authors
+-------
+mkinitcpio is created by the Arch Linux Developer community.
+
+Manpage written by:::
+* Glenn 'RedShift' Matthys <glenn@opengate.be>
+
+Manpage contributions by:::
+* Jens 'byte' Adam <j_adam@web.de>
+* Geir 'gejr' Vaagland
+* Joerie 'Thralas' de Gram <j.de.gram@gmail.com>
+
+Copyright
+---------
+Copyright (c) Arch Linux