[linux-lvm] LVM support for LILO

[Andreas Dilger]

Michael Kellen writes:
> I actually already have code for a check (in lilo.c) to insure that the
> files are contiguous and on the first physical disk.  With the lv to pv
> ioctl, that would be easy to extend to any bootable device.

Actually, there is no need for an image to be contiguous, because even
the filesystem does not guarantee a file is contiguous.  The only
requirement is the image be on a single device that the BIOS can see
when it is first booting.

> In implementing this, we need to remember that not just the kernel needs
> to be mapped.  The boot loader any ramdisks need to be known as well.

Yes, once the LVM block mapping works, it will work for all of these.

> What I'd *really* like to see is kernel code for autostarting of LVM
> similar to the autostart of md (side note: 2.4.0-test7 seems to break
> that, though). One step at a time, though.

Yes, it would be nice to eliminate the requirement for an initrd to use
LVM.  It may be that you could put some limits in place to make the root
VG simple enough for the kernel to load.  You could even hard-code it to
have only 1 LV in this VG, which is the root filesystem.  If it was all
__init code for the LVM module, it would not bloat the kernel...  The
tricky part would be to find the right PV for the rootvg before LVM is
loaded...

Cheers, Andreas