infinite loop on initramfs stage(dracut)

[rabidbo]

Hello, gentoo wizards

I'm trying to use crux with full disk encryption setup, by help on this forum it's bootable, but got stuck on initramfs stage, to be more verbose: dracut asks passphrase and after the loop begins: (sorry for shitty photo quality)
https://pasteboard.co/Jlpq8vOxBk2b.jpg

I have no idea what to do next: I was advised to make kernel as monolithic as I can, but I don't know what I need, because system doesn't boot.

kernel conf:
pastebin.com/9XWdYQD3

cmd params(syslinux):

root=/dev/mapper/crypt-root rw rd.auto=1 rd.debug rd.shell log_buf_len=1M

Thanks in advance!

[pietinger]

Is this the same machine as in your last thread?

I remember it was an Intel machine and I gave you some advice for the kernel confguration. This .config is even more wrong as back then.

Why do you want an old (outdated) crux kernel?

Just use our Gentoo distribution kernel or gentoo-sources ...

Internal note:

Code: Select all

# CONFIG_X86_X2APIC is not set
# CONFIG_X86_INTEL_LPSS is not set
# CONFIG_MFD_INTEL_LPSS_ACPI is not set
# CONFIG_MFD_INTEL_LPSS_PCI is not set
# CONFIG_IRQ_REMAP is not set

(and many more)

[rabidbo]

Hello, thanks for your help.

My bad, .config is wrong. Machine the same. Here's actual one: https://pastebin.com/rSTfHG7C

Is 6.12.23 is so outdated? it is lts, and supported up to 2027, but maybe I don't know something.

Actually, I want to try(and learn how) to configure kernel. I've read gentoo guides(and yours), but now It's pretty useless until my system doesn't boot, so I don't know what I need.

I don't know where's problem, Is it in init script or in kernel configuration.

As I think there's only way to go:

1)Try to configure kernel monolithic as I can(blindly, till I can't boot)
2)Make my own minimal initramfs with only decrypt and lvm stuff in it.

So, the main problem is kernel configuration. Can you advise some sources, despite gentoo giudes?

Thanks in advance!

[pingtoo]

rabidbo,

You might be putting you self too much. your description seems indicate your want to create a configuration and make sure it work. This might work well for someone have much experience but could be difficult for someone new to the scene.

I would suggest you first get a bootable setup (for example using gentoo binary kernel) then try to setup full disk encryption with working kernel. then take the working kernel configuration to work on your chosen kernel tree. This way you will have reference on how thing work. it will make easier for later debugging on what is not working.

full disk encryption require initramfs (sometime it is known as early rootfs). So it could be important to know how initramfs work cycle in managing finding encrypted device(s), how to pass information on kernel command line etc...

[pietinger]

[1] Is 6.12.23 is so outdated? it is lts, and supported up to 2027, [...]

[2] Can you advise some sources, despite gentoo giudes?

1) At the moment the current version of 6.12 is 6.12.58 ... the latest stable kernel is 6.17.8 (I recommend) ... and in one or two weeks 6.18 is coming, which will be the next LTS kernel.

2) TBH there was a time I searched in the internet for descriptions about all the options you have in a kernel configuration ... and found almost nothing (outdated or wrong) ... so, I can really help you only when you use our gentoo-sources. Please note, that the starting default-config may be different between every distribution ... and my manual kernel configuration guide relies on ours. BTW a short question: How have you changed your kernel .config? (and then installed?) I dont know how much experience you have with this, but maybe start at the very beginning here: https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/User:Pieti ... figuration (in this article there are two links pointing to 6.12 and 6.17 ... choose then: https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/User:Pieti ... ent_Kernel ... this is 6.17 ... at the moment ... until one or two weeks ... then it will become 6.18 )

Otherwise, @pingtoo recommended exactly what I also recommend.

[rabidbo]

Ok, can you suggest where's to find gentoo binary kernel?

[pingtoo]

Ok, can you suggest where's to find gentoo binary kernel?

sys-kernel/gentoo-kernel-bin

[zen_desu]

As I think there's only way to go:

1)Try to configure kernel monolithic as I can(blindly, till I can't boot)
2)Make my own minimal initramfs with only decrypt and lvm stuff in it.

So, the main problem is kernel configuration. Can you advise some sources, despite gentoo giudes?

Thanks in advance!

1) A more monolithic kernel sounds nice, but is actually more likely to cause problems/confusion. It becomes hard/impossible to see which modules are being used by what when they are builtin, when they are modules, that tends to be much easier.

2) If you want to make your own initramfs, ugrd is designed to just work for lvm/luks setups (no user config required) and you can check out the build dir in /tmp/initramfs_build and edit it and make it your own. It will make a more "static" init that is modeled after the gentoo wiki pages on making an initramfs. The bash portion of it (the actual initramfs it makes) should be relatively simple POSIX shell that doesn't do much more than basic logging, basic checks, and mounting your rootfs.

One thing to consider is that there is really not a whole lot of value added making things monolithic especially when an initramfs is necessary anyways (LUKS based rootfs's). Doing that can actually cause a bit more confusion, and for certain things (such as network and graphics cards), builtin drivers means you mush also build the firmware in, or the hardware won't work. Modules also mean you can force unload/reload parts of the kernel without rebooting, which can be helpful.

dist-kernel (gentoo-kernel and gentoo-kernel-bin) are both rather modular which may "unnecessarily" require an initramfs in some cases, but is generally a good approach for kernel config.