No more boot loader: Please use the kernel instead (pretalx.com)

Article summary

The article discusses a new scheme to replace the GRUB bootloader with a Linux-based, user-space solution called nmbl. The goal is to use the Linux kernel as its own bootloader, eliminating the need for a separate bootloader. This approach aims to reduce complexity and security holes associated with GRUB. The solution involves loading the kernel, initramfs, and kernel command line into a unified kernel image.

Main themes

• Bootloader replacement
• Linux kernel development
• Initramfs alternatives
• Security and complexity
• Kernel customization

What commenters say

• The proposed solution is moving in the wrong direction and a smarter bootloader that cooperates with the kernel would be a better approach.
• The Linux kernel can be built with everything compiled in, eliminating the need for an initramfs, but this may not be practical for generic kernels.
• Initramfs is necessary for loading modules required for boot, but it can be slow to update and may be avoided with a custom kernel build.
• The use of initramfs is a licensing and legal issue, as it allows for the loading of non-GPL licensed modules, which cannot be distributed with the kernel.
• A custom kernel build can be automated and is not necessarily time-consuming, but it may not be desirable for users who want a simple, plug-and-play experience.
• The initramfs can be eliminated if no kernel modules are required to boot the system, but this may limit the use of certain features such as LVM2 and disk encryption.
• The proposed UKI solution does not fix the underlying issues with initramfs and may introduce new complexity.
• A better approach would be to have the bootloader load modules from the regular filesystem, as is done in FreeBSD.