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by Andrew M. Bishop,
v1.1, 24 September 1999
This HOWTO explains how to use the Linux loopback device to create a Linux native filesystem format installation that can be run from a DOS partition without re-partitioning. Other uses of this same technique are also discussed.
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The Loopback Root Filesystem HOWTO
by Andrew M. Bishop, amb@gedanken.demon.co.uk
v1.1, 24 September 1999
Archived Document Notice: This document has been archived by the LDP.
This HOWTO explains how to use the Linux loopback device to create a Linux native filesystem format installation that can be run from a DOS partition without re-partitioning. Other uses of this same technique are also discussed.
1. Introduction
2. Principles of Loopback Devices and Ramdisks
- 2.1 Loopback Devices
- 2.2 Ramdisk Devices
- 2.3 The Initial Ramdisk Device
- 2.4 The Root Filesystem
- 2.5 The Linux Boot Sequence
3. How To Create a Loopback Root Device
- 3.1 Requirements
- 3.2 Creating the Linux Kernel
- 3.3 Creating the Initial Ramdisk Device
- 3.4 Creating The Root Device
- 3.5 Creating the Swap Device
- 3.6 Creating the MSDOS Directory
- 3.7 Creating the Boot Floppy
4. Booting the System
5. Other Loopback Root Device Possibilities
- 5.1 DOS Hard-disk Only Installation
- 5.2 LILO Booted Installation
- 5.3 VFAT / NTFS Installation
- 5.4 Installing Linux without Re-partitioning
- 5.5 Booting From a Non-bootable device
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