[NTLUG:Discuss] OT: Stupid hardware question

[Leroy Tennison]

Robert Citek wrote:
> On Jan 19, 2008 5:51 PM, Leroy Tennison <leroy_tennison at prodigy.net> wrote:
>> This is a good approach, just be aware that 'root=UUID' doesn't work as
>> a kernel command-line parameter.
> 
> I don't follow.  What do you mean?
> 
> Regards,
> - Robert
> 
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> 
One of the kernel command line parameters is

root= ...

Per

http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/people/gregkh/lkn/lkn_pdf/ch09.pdf

this parameter is one of a few that "control how the kernel finds and 
handles the filesystem that contains the root filesystem."  (The 
document lists numerous parameters, among them the really useful and 
really obscure).  Interestingly enough, root=LABEL (which is used at 
least on Red Hat based distros) isn't listed.

At one point when I was investigating multi-OS booting I wondered how to 
handle multiple hard drives and the UUID idea sounded like a good one. 
I looked to see if it could be used for this kernel option (just to have 
maximum flexibility) but couldn't find anything so I posted a question 
on kernel.org.  The answer came back "No, the kernel doesn't recognize 
UUID".

That was in 2005, the kernel.org pdf above was December of 2006. 
However, searching the web for 'root=UUID' produced at least one hit:

grml.supersized.org/archives/233-grml2hd-supports-grub-and-rootUUID.html

where someone has made it work so my remark may now be dated.  I'd have 
to do more research to find out.