> I have started on the task of adding bzip2 decompression support to the
> kernel so that this is possible. Once this is done, I won't need the
> separate /usr archive on the floppy, it can all be in one ramdisk with no
> drawbacks. The biggest drawback will be that you will no longer be able
> to use any old kernel on tomsrtbt, since the standard kernels do not
> support bzip2 decompression of ramdisks. Anything with initrd loading
> bzip2 etc. will be a net space loss. I have _not_ decided whether to bite
> this bullet- is it worth fifty or a hundred K of space, plus simplifying
> the structure, at the cost that to replace the kernel you will have to
> apply a bzip2-ramdisk-decompression patch?
Hmmm, that's a good question. Since any standard distro kernel is way
bigger than what is on tomsrtbt to begin with, a recompile will be
necessary if you want to fit the root filesystem on the same disk. With
this in mind, I would imagine patching the kernel source wouldn't be that
large a cross to bear.
Since the kernel already supports bz2 compression with bzImage, I'm
surprised the kernel doesn't already support bzip2 for ramdisks. Wouldn't
the kernel-gang be interested in such a patch? After all, if you are
interested in a compressed filesystem, why not go for the gold and use bzip2
from the start.
Hmmm, 50 to 100k... :)
Douglas Bollinger
Mt. Holly Springs, PA
My other computer runs Linux.
