* Tong Sun <bts@bts.grml.org> [20090311 05:11]:

> > Regarding the persistence solution, I think I would rather like to have
> > a solution where the installed packages are not forced to be loaded into
> > main memory - as I understand that the live-snapshot would do, or ...?
> > Do grml have some toolchain that will allow me to either add stuff to an
> > existing squashfs or have the system "union mount" additional squashfs
> > files?

> Yes, the "layered module architecture" feature is actually provided by
> live-initramfs itself. Check out it man pages, it is trivial to add layered
> module as you wish. 

> So far, I have just been putting the modules that I build for slax on
> top of grml, about 7 layered modules on top of grml. It works perfectly, but
> they are all my home, text or script files though. I.e., no debian packages
> involved in the layered modules yet.
> Ref http://bts.grml.org/grml/issue523

Very interesting, Tong!

> Moreover, I've build a standalone script (by patching live-initramfs) to give
> users the ability to insert modules into live system on the fly, and/or remove
> them as well. I.e., anding/removing layered modules does not have to be on boot
> only, but can happen any time. I've send the patches to mika, but hasn't get
> around to check the latest availability status yet. 

> > [x] Definitely interested.

> Oh, thanks a lot, that's very encouraging. . .

> I'll send you the patches right away. It's a standalone script and
> working fine now. Here is the current usage help:

[...]

Very interesting, please feel free to attach your patch[es] to this
bugreport so they don't get lost. Thanks!

> > I don't know how creating those additional modules works in regards
> > to the workflow, but I'm definitely interested in such a feature and
> > appreciate any help and work from you.

> Ok, I'll elaborate more for my previous email, and more over, I'll add
> an option to create squashfs live modules in live-module.

> How about we use

>  -c, --create-from=dir create squashfs live modules from the given dir

> ?

I'd like to check your live-module out before talking about further
features. :) I'd love to see it integrated it in official
live-initramfs as well, I think we have pretty good chances if we
provide a well tested and documented patch.

> BTW, This is how I created the split modules manually.

>  cd $os_mnt
>  mksquashfs . ../001-base.squashfs -noappend -b 256K -lzmadic 256K -e var

>  mksquashfs var tmp ../002-vars.squashfs -noappend -b 256K -lzmadic 256K

> You can exclude more in base and include more in var as you wish.

Looking forwarding to receiving and testing your patches. :)

regards,
-mika-