Initramfs zfs boot

Overview

Both Debian and Ubuntu fail to boot when there is an arbitrarily more complex zpool than a single vdev that contains the bootfs.

Notes on Boot Process

• The linux kernel is initially bootstrapped.
• The compiled-in initramfs is mounted and executed.
  • It mounts the external initramfs; Deletes everything under its own initramfs; Executes the external initramfs /init

(External) initramfs init

• Create
  • /dev
  • /root
  • /sys
  • /proc
  • /tmp
  • /var/lock

• Mount
  • /sys
  • /proc
  • /dev
  • /dev/pts
  • /run

• Create
  • /run/initramfs

• Export