BTRFS Root, using whole disk and the Arch Installer Text based GUI

ScottArch · 2011-05-30 10:55:25

Hi Folks,

I want to install the system on a BTRFS root using the guide (https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/In … Btrfs_root), but I don't want to do a full text based install. I usually use the ArchBoot, so I should have all the programs I need, simplifying the process.

Can I issue the following commands, then begin the usual install (skipping the preparing hard drive step).

mkfs.btrfs -L btrfs-root /dev/sda
mkdir /btrfs
mount /dev/sda /btrfs
btrfs subvolume snapshot /btrfs /btrfs/__active
mkdir /btrfs/boot
mkdir /btrfs/__snapshot
mkdir /btrfs/__active/boot
mount -o subvol=__active /dev/sda /mnt
mkdir -p /mnt/var/lib/btrfs-root
mount --move /btrfs /mnt/var/lib/btrfs-root
mount --bind /mnt/var/lib/btrfs-root/boot /mnt/boot

Will my fstab config and syslinux install and config proceed correctly using the installer, or will I manually have to configure and install these? Is there any problem with switching to another terminal and manually doing some steps if required, then continuing on with the standard installer.

Cheers,

Scott

Dieter@be · 2011-05-30 11:33:24

get a recent image from http://releng.archlinux.org/isos/
it has btrfs support out of the box
please report feedback @ http://www.archlinux.org/releng/feedback/

ScottArch · 2011-05-30 11:40:45

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. Can I confirm, does it have support for a full disk BTRFS, just like the wiki, using the standard installer, or does it just have the necessary tools (like Archboot), to do a manual BTRFS full disk install?

Cheers,

Scott

Dieter@be · 2011-05-30 11:43:31

ScottArch wrote:

Hi,
Thanks for the reply. Can I confirm, does it have support for a full disk BTRFS, just like the wiki, using the standard installer, or does it just have the necessary tools (like Archboot), to do a manual BTRFS full disk install?
Cheers,
Scott

unless there are any bugs I'm not aware of, you can put a btrfs on the entire disk and use it as root. (in AIF, i.e. from /arch/setup)
it also has all the tools to do a manual install

gour · 2011-08-24 08:39:30

Dieter@be wrote:

unless there are any bugs I'm not aware of, you can put a btrfs on the entire disk and use it as root. (in AIF, i.e. from /arch/setup)
it also has all the tools to do a manual install

What about mirror setup?

What is required in order to have two disks in raid-1 with everything (/ & /boot) in btrfs partition + using swap partition?

Dieter@be · 2011-08-24 12:05:33

gour wrote:

Dieter@be wrote:
unless there are any bugs I'm not aware of, you can put a btrfs on the entire disk and use it as root. (in AIF, i.e. from /arch/setup)
it also has all the tools to do a manual install
What about mirror setup?
What is required in order to have two disks in raid-1 with everything (/ & /boot) in btrfs partition + using swap partition?

you need to setup the softraid manually.
if you want / and /boot in the same btrfs volume (i.e. no separate mountpoint for /boot) you can just create a btrfs for /.
if you want 2 volumes in the same btrfs, then you will need to use the btrfs tools manually.

gour · 2011-08-24 15:21:19

Dieter@be wrote:

you need to setup the softraid manually.

do you mean with something like:

mkfs.btrfs -m RAID1 -d RAID1 /dev/sda1 /dev/sdb1

if you want / and /boot in the same btrfs volume (i.e. no separate mountpoint for /boot) you can just create a btrfs for /.
if you want 2 volumes in the same btrfs, then you will need to use the btrfs tools manually.

I'd prefer that if it's recommended or there are no issues with syslinux booting it?

It would also mean, I can avoid having separate mirror for /boot (via mdadm).

I'd like to see btrfs version of Installing with Software RAID or LVM

Sincerely,
Gour

Dieter@be · 2011-08-25 09:36:17

gour wrote:

Dieter@be wrote:
you need to setup the softraid manually.
do you mean with something like:
mkfs.btrfs -m RAID1 -d RAID1 /dev/sda1 /dev/sdb1

I don't know. I'm not very familiar with btrfs.

gour wrote:

if you want / and /boot in the same btrfs volume (i.e. no separate mountpoint for /boot) you can just create a btrfs for /.
if you want 2 volumes in the same btrfs, then you will need to use the btrfs tools manually.
I'd prefer that if it's recommended or there are no issues with syslinux booting it?
It would also mean, I can avoid having separate mirror for /boot (via mdadm).
I'd like to see btrfs version of Installing with Software RAID or LVM

Sincerely,
Gour

I don't know of any issues, but then again, I'm not super familiar with btrfs/syslinux.
Ideally, AIF would support raid and various btrfs options.

Arch Linux

#1 2011-05-30 10:55:25

BTRFS Root, using whole disk and the Arch Installer Text based GUI

#2 2011-05-30 11:33:24

Re: BTRFS Root, using whole disk and the Arch Installer Text based GUI

#3 2011-05-30 11:40:45

Re: BTRFS Root, using whole disk and the Arch Installer Text based GUI

#4 2011-05-30 11:43:31

Re: BTRFS Root, using whole disk and the Arch Installer Text based GUI

#5 2011-08-24 08:39:30

Re: BTRFS Root, using whole disk and the Arch Installer Text based GUI

#6 2011-08-24 12:05:33

Re: BTRFS Root, using whole disk and the Arch Installer Text based GUI

#7 2011-08-24 15:21:19

Re: BTRFS Root, using whole disk and the Arch Installer Text based GUI

#8 2011-08-25 09:36:17

Re: BTRFS Root, using whole disk and the Arch Installer Text based GUI

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