FROM MY POINT OF VIEW,initrd is a RAM disk that is initialized (e.g. loaded) by the boot loader before the kernel is started. The kernel then can use the block device /dev/initrd's contents for a two phased system boot-up.
When booting up with initrd, the system boots as follows:
1. The boot loader loads the kernel program and /dev/initrd's contents into memory.

2. On kernel startup, the kernel uncompresses and copies the contents of the device /dev/initrd onto device /dev/ram0 and then frees the memory used by /dev/initrd.

3. The kernel then read-write mounts device /dev/ram0 as the initial root file system.

4. If the indicated normal root file system is also the initial root file-system (e.g. /dev/ram0 ) then the kernel skips to the last step for the usual boot sequence.

5. If the executable file /linuxrc is present in the initial root file-system, /linuxrc is executed with UID 0. (The file /linuxrc must have executable permission. The file /linuxrc can be any valid executable, including a shell script.)

6. If /linuxrc is not executed or when /linuxrc terminates, the normal root file system is mounted. (If /linuxrc exits with any file-systems mounted on the initial root file-system, then the behavior of the kernel is UNSPECIFIED. See the NOTES section for the current kernel behavior.)

7. If the normal root file has directory /initrd, device /dev/ram0 is moved from / to /initrd. Otherwise if directory /initrd does not exist device /dev/ram0 is unmounted. (When moved from / to /initrd, /dev/ram0 is not unmounted and therefore processes can remain running from /dev/ram0. If directory /initrd does not exist on the normal root file-system and any processes remain running from /dev/ram0 when /linuxrc exits, the behavior of the kernel is UNSPECIFIED. See the NOTES section for the current kernel behavior.)

8. The usual boot sequence (e.g. invocation of /sbin/init) is performed on the normal root file system.
source site:http://linux.die.net/man/ 4/initrd

Answered by Madhurima , an ibibo Master, at 6:04 PM on September 04, 2008

The special file /dev/initrd is a read-only block device. Device /dev/initrd is a RAM disk that is initialized (e.g. loaded) by the boot loader before the kernel is started. The kernel then can use the block device /dev/initrd's contents for a two phased system boot-up.

In the first boot-up phase, the kernel starts up and mounts an initial root file-system from the contents of /dev/initrd (e.g. RAM disk initialized by the boot loader). In the second phase, additional drivers or other modules are loaded from the initial root device's contents. After loading the additional modules, a new root file system (i.e. the normal root file system) is mounted from a different device.
Boot-up Operation
When booting up with initrd, the system boots as follows:

1. The boot loader loads the kernel program and /dev/initrd's contents into memory.

2. On kernel startup, the kernel uncompresses and copies the contents of the device /dev/initrd onto device /dev/ram0 and then frees the memory used by /dev/initrd.

3. The kernel then read-write mounts device /dev/ram0 as the initial root file system.

4. If the indicated normal root file system is also the initial root file-system (e.g. /dev/ram0 ) then the kernel skips to the last step for the usual boot sequence.

5. If the executable file /linuxrc is present in the initial root file-system, /linuxrc is executed with UID 0. (The file /linuxrc must have executable permission. The file /linuxrc can be any valid executable, including a shell script.)

6. If /linuxrc is not executed or when /linuxrc terminates, the normal root file system is mounted. (If /linuxrc exits with any file-systems mounted on the initial root file-system, then the behavior of the kernel is UNSPECIFIED. See the NOTES section for the current kernel behavior.)

7. If the normal root file has directory /initrd, device /dev/ram0 is moved from / to /initrd. Otherwise if directory /initrd does not exist device /dev/ram0 is unmounted. (When moved from / to /initrd, /dev/ram0 is not unmounted and therefore processes can remain running from /dev/ram0. If directory /initrd does not exist on the normal root file-system and any processes remain running from /dev/ram0 when /linuxrc exits, the behavior of the kernel is UNSPECIFIED. See the NOTES section for the current kernel behavior.)

8. The usual boot sequence (e.g. invocation of /sbin/init) is performed on the normal root file system.

Options
The following boot loader options when used with initrd, affect the kernel's boot-up operation:

initrd=filename
Specifies the file to load as the contents of /dev/initrd. For LOADLIN this is a command line option. For LILO you have to use this command in the LILO configuration file /etc/lilo.config. The filename specified with this option will typically be a gzipped file-system image.
noinitrd
This boot time option disables the two phase boot-up operation. The kernel performs the usual boot sequence as if /dev/initrd was not initialized. With this option, any contents of /dev/initrd loaded into memory by the boot loader contents are preserved. This option permits the contents of /dev/initrd to be any data and need not be limited to a file system image. However, device /dev/initrd is read-only and can be read only one time after system startup.
root=device-name
Sp ecifies the device to be used as the normal root file system. For LOADLIN this is a command line option. For LILO this is a boot time option or can be used as an option line in the LILO configuration file /etc/lilo.config. The device specified by the this option must be a mountable device having a suitable root file-system.

Changing the Normal Root File System
By default, the kernel's settings (e.g. set in the kernel file with rdev(8) or compiled into the kernel file), or the boot loader option setting is used for

Answered by Shobhit , an ibibo Master, at 3:43 PM on September 01, 2008

initrd is mainly designed to allow system startup to occur in two phases,
where the kernel comes up with a minimum set of compiled-in drivers, and
where additional modules are loaded from initrd.

This document gives a brief overview of the use of initrd. A more detailed
discussion of the boot process can be found in [1].


Operation
---------

When using initrd, the system typically boots as follows:

1) the boot loader loads the kernel and the initial RAM disk
2) the kernel converts initrd into a "normal" RAM disk and
frees the memory used by initrd
3) initrd is mounted read-write as root
4) /linuxrc is executed (this can be any valid executable, including
shell scripts; it is run with uid 0 and can do basically everything
init can do)
5) linuxrc mounts the "real" root file system
6) linuxrc places the root file system at the root directory using the
pivot_root system call
7) the usual boot sequence (e.g. invocation of /sbin/init) is performed
on the root file system
8) the initrd file system is removed

Note that changing the root directory does not involve unmounting it.
It is therefore possible to leave processes running on initrd during that
procedure. Also note that file systems mounted under initrd continue to
be accessible.

Answered by Poonam Singh , an ibibo Master, at 7:42 AM on September 01, 2008

initrd provides the capability to load a RAM disk by the boot
loader. This RAM disk can then be mounted as the root file
system and programs can be run from it. Afterwards, a new
root file system can be mounted from a different device. The
previous root (from initrd) is then moved to a directory and
can be subsequently unmounted.

initrd is mainly designed to allow system startup to occur
in two phases, where the kernel comes up with a minimum set
of compiled-in drivers, and where additional modules are
loaded from initrd.


Boot-up Operation
When booting up with initrd, the system boots as follows:

1. The boot loader loads the kernel program and /dev/initrd's contents into memory.

2. On kernel startup, the kernel uncompresses and copies the contents of the device /dev/initrd onto device /dev/ram0 and then frees the memory used by /dev/initrd.

3. The kernel then read-write mounts device /dev/ram0 as the initial root file system.

4. If the indicated normal root file system is also the initial root file-system (e.g. /dev/ram0 ) then the kernel skips to the last step for the usual boot sequence.

5. If the executable file /linuxrc is present in the initial root file-system, /linuxrc is executed with UID 0. (The file /linuxrc must have executable permission. The file /linuxrc can be any valid executable, including a shell script.)

6. If /linuxrc is not executed or when /linuxrc terminates, the normal root file system is mounted. (If /linuxrc exits with any file-systems mounted on the initial root file-system, then the behavior of the kernel is UNSPECIFIED. See the NOTES section for the current kernel behavior.)

7. If the normal root file has directory /initrd, device /dev/ram0 is moved from / to /initrd. Otherwise if directory /initrd does not exist device /dev/ram0 is unmounted. (When moved from / to /initrd, /dev/ram0 is not unmounted and therefore processes can remain running from /dev/ram0. If directory /initrd does not exist on the normal root file-system and any processes remain running from /dev/ram0 when /linuxrc exits, the behavior of the kernel is UNSPECIFIED. See the NOTES section for the current kernel behavior.)

8. The usual boot sequence (e.g. invocation of /sbin/init) is performed on the normal root file system.

for details,visit:
http://tldp.or g/LDP/Linux-Filesystem-Hierarc hy/html/initrd.html

http:// linux.die.net/man/4/initrd

Answered by Anju Singh , an ibibo Master, at 7:04 PM on August 19, 2008

System Boot Sequence

The system BIOS is what starts the computer running when you turn it on. The following are the steps that a typical boot sequence involves. Of course this will vary by the manufacturer of your hardware, BIOS, etc., and especially by what peripherals you have in the PC. Here is what generally happens when you turn on your system power:

1. The internal power supply turns on and initializes. The power supply takes some time until it can generate reliable power for the rest of the computer, and having it turn on prematurely could potentially lead to damage. Therefore, the chipset will generate a reset signal to the processor (the same as if you held the reset button down for a while on your case) until it receives the Power Good signal from the power supply.
2. When the reset button is released, the processor will be ready to start executing. When the processor first starts up, it is suffering from amnesia; there is nothing at all in the memory to execute. Of course processor makers know this will happen, so they pre-program the processor to always look at the same place in the system BIOS ROM for the start of the BIOS boot program. This is normally location FFFF0h, right at the end of the system memory. They put it there so that the size of the ROM can be changed without creating compatibility problems. Since there are only 16 bytes left from there to the end of conventional memory, this location just contains a "jump" instruction telling the processor where to go to find the real BIOS startup program.
3. The BIOS performs the power-on self test (POST). If there are any fatal errors, the boot process stops. POST beep codes can be found in this area of the Troubleshooting Expert.
4. The BIOS looks for the video card. In particular, it looks for the video card's built in BIOS program and runs it. This BIOS is normally found at location C000h in memory. The system BIOS executes the video card BIOS, which initializes the video card. Most modern cards will display information on the screen about the video card. (This is why on a modern PC you usually see something on the screen about the video card before you see the messages from the system BIOS itself).
5. The BIOS then looks for other devices' ROMs to see if any of them have BIOSes. Normally, the IDE/ATA hard disk BIOS will be found at C8000h and executed. If any other device BIOSes are found, they are executed as well.
6. The BIOS displays its startup screen.
7. The BIOS does more tests on the system, including the memory count-up test which you see on the screen. The BIOS will generally display a text error message on the screen if it encounters an error at this point; these error messages and their explanations can be found in this part of the Troubleshooting Expert.
8. The BIOS performs a "system inventory" of sorts, doing more tests to determine what sort of hardware is in the system. Modern BIOSes have many automatic settings and will determine memory timing (for example) based on what kind of memory it finds. Many BIOSes can also dynamically set hard drive parameters and access modes, and will determine these at roughly this time. Some will display a message on the screen for each drive they detect and configure this way. The BIOS will also now search for and label logical devices (COM and LPT ports).
9. If the BIOS supports the Plug and Play standard, it will detect and configure Plug and Play devices at this time and display a message on the screen for each one it finds. See here for more details on how PnP detects devices and assigns resources.
10. The BIOS will display a summary screen about your system's configuration. Checking this page of data can be helpful in diagnosing setup problems, although it can be hard to see because sometimes it flashes on the screen very quickly before scrolling off the top.
11. The BIOS begins the search for a drive to boot from. M

Answered by Sharad Singh , an ibibo Master, at 2:15 PM on August 19, 2008

well,initrd provides the capability to load a RAM disk by the boot loader.
This RAM disk can then be mounted as the root file system and programs
can be run from it. Afterwards, a new root file system can be mounted
from a different device. The previous root (from initrd) is then moved
to a directory and can be subsequently unmounted.

initrd is mainly designed to allow system startup to occur in two phases,
where the kernel comes up with a minimum set of compiled-in drivers, and
where additional modules are loaded from initrd.

This document gives a brief overview of the use of initrd. A more detailed
discussion of the boot process can be found in [1].


Operation
---------

When using initrd, the system typically boots as follows:

1) the boot loader loads the kernel and the initial RAM disk
2) the kernel converts initrd into a "normal" RAM disk and
frees the memory used by initrd
3) initrd is mounted read-write as root
4) /linuxrc is executed (this can be any valid executable, including
shell scripts; it is run with uid 0 and can do basically everything
init can do)
5) linuxrc mounts the "real" root file system
6) linuxrc places the root file system at the root directory using the
pivot_root system call
7) the usual boot sequence (e.g. invocation of /sbin/init) is performed
on the root file system
8) the initrd file system is removed

Note that changing the root directory does not involve unmounting it.
It is therefore possible to leave processes running on initrd during that
procedure. Also note that file systems mounted under initrd continue to
be accessible.


Boot command-line options
--------------------- ----

initrd adds the following new options:

initrd=<path> (e.g. LOADLIN)

Loads the specified file as the initial RAM disk. When using LILO, you
have to specify the RAM disk image file in /etc/lilo.conf, using the
INITRD configuration variable.

noinitrd

initrd data is preserved but it is not converted to a RAM disk and
the "normal" root file system is mounted. initrd data can be read
from /dev/initrd. Note that the data in initrd can have any structure
in this case and doesn't necessarily have to be a file system image.
This option is used mainly for debugging.

Note: /dev/initrd is read-only and it can only be used once. As soon
as the last process has closed it, all data is freed and /dev/initrd
can't be opened anymore.

root=/dev/ram0 (without devfs)
root=/dev/rd/0 (with devfs)

initrd is mounted as root, and the normal boot procedure is followed,
with the RAM disk still mounted as root.


Installation
----- -------

First, a directory for the initrd file system has to be created on the
"normal" root file system, e.g.

# mkdir /initrd

The name is not relevant. More details can be found on the pivot_root(2)
man page.

If the root file system is created during the boot procedure (i.e. if
you're building an install floppy), the root file system creation
procedure should create the /initrd directory.

If initrd will not be mounted in some cases, its content is still
accessible if the following device has been created (note that this
does not work if using devfs):

# mknod /dev/initrd b 1 250
# chmod 400 /dev/initrd

Second, the kernel has to be compiled with RAM disk support and with
support for the initial RAM disk enabled. Also, at least all components
needed to execute programs from initrd (e.g. executable format and file
system) must be compiled into the kernel.

Third, you have to create the RAM disk image. This is done by creating a
file system on a b

Answered by Satya ~ , an ibibo Master, at 10:58 AM on August 19, 2008

well;
Description
The special file /dev/initrd is a read-only block device. Device /dev/initrd is a RAM disk that is initialized (e.g. loaded) by the boot loader before the kernel is started. The kernel then can use the block device /dev/initrd's contents for a two phased system boot-up.

In the first boot-up phase, the kernel starts up and mounts an initial root file-system from the contents of /dev/initrd (e.g. RAM disk initialized by the boot loader). In the second phase, additional drivers or other modules are loaded from the initial root device's contents. After loading the additional modules, a new root file system (i.e. the normal root file system) is mounted from a different device.
Boot-up Operation
When booting up with initrd, the system boots as follows:

1. The boot loader loads the kernel program and /dev/initrd's contents into memory.

2. On kernel startup, the kernel uncompresses and copies the contents of the device /dev/initrd onto device /dev/ram0 and then frees the memory used by /dev/initrd.

3. The kernel then read-write mounts device /dev/ram0 as the initial root file system.

4. If the indicated normal root file system is also the initial root file-system (e.g. /dev/ram0 ) then the kernel skips to the last step for the usual boot sequence.

5. If the executable file /linuxrc is present in the initial root file-system, /linuxrc is executed with UID 0. (The file /linuxrc must have executable permission. The file /linuxrc can be any valid executable, including a shell script.)

6. If /linuxrc is not executed or when /linuxrc terminates, the normal root file system is mounted. (If /linuxrc exits with any file-systems mounted on the initial root file-system, then the behavior of the kernel is UNSPECIFIED. See the NOTES section for the current kernel behavior.)

7. If the normal root file has directory /initrd, device /dev/ram0 is moved from / to /initrd. Otherwise if directory /initrd does not exist device /dev/ram0 is unmounted. (When moved from / to /initrd, /dev/ram0 is not unmounted and therefore processes can remain running from /dev/ram0. If directory /initrd does not exist on the normal root file-system and any processes remain running from /dev/ram0 when /linuxrc exits, the behavior of the kernel is UNSPECIFIED. See the NOTES section for the current kernel behavior.)

8. The usual boot sequence (e.g. invocation of /sbin/init) is performed on the normal root file system.

Options
The following boot loader options when used with initrd, affect the kernel's boot-up operation:

initrd=filename
Specifies the file to load as the contents of /dev/initrd. For LOADLIN this is a command line option. For LILO you have to use this command in the LILO configuration file /etc/lilo.config. The filename specified with this option will typically be a gzipped file-system image.
noinitrd
This boot time option disables the two phase boot-up operation. The kernel performs the usual boot sequence as if /dev/initrd was not initialized. With this option, any contents of /dev/initrd loaded into memory by the boot loader contents are preserved. This option permits the contents of /dev/initrd to be any data and need not be limited to a file system image. However, device /dev/initrd is read-only and can be read only one time after system startup.
root=device-name
Specifies the device to be used as the normal root file system. For LOADLIN this is a command line option. For LILO this is a boot time option or can be used as an option line in the LILO configuration file /etc/lilo.config. The device specified by the this option must be a mountable device having a suitable root file-system.

Changing the Normal Root File System
By default, the kernel's settings (e.g. set in the kernel file with rdev(8) or compiled into the kernel file), or the boot loader option setting is used for

Answered by Kishore , an ibibo Master, at 9:08 AM on August 19, 2008

The process is given below-
When using initrd, the system typically boots as follows:

1) the boot loader loads the kernel and the initial RAM disk
2) the kernel converts initrd into a "normal" RAM disk and
frees the memory used by initrd
3) initrd is mounted read-write as root
4) /linuxrc is executed (this can be any valid executable, including
shell scripts; it is run with uid 0 and can do basically everything
init can do)
5) linuxrc mounts the "real" root file system
6) linuxrc places the root file system at the root directory using the
pivot_root system call
7) the usual boot sequence (e.g. invocation of /sbin/init) is performed
on the root file system
8) the initrd file system is removed

Answered by Nagendra , an ibibo Master, at 8:16 AM on August 19, 2008

Hello Harvinder..

When booting up with initrd, the system boots as follows:
1. The boot loader loads the kernel program and /dev/initrd's contents into memory.

2. On kernel startup, the kernel uncompresses and copies the contents of the device /dev/initrd onto device /dev/ram0 and then frees the memory used by /dev/initrd.

3. The kernel then read-write mounts device /dev/ram0 as the initial root file system.

4. If the indicated normal root file system is also the initial root file-system (e.g. /dev/ram0 ) then the kernel skips to the last step for the usual boot sequence.

5. If the executable file /linuxrc is present in the initial root file-system, /linuxrc is executed with uid 0. (The file /linuxrc must have executable permission. The file /linuxrc can be any valid executable, including a shell script.)

6. If /linuxrc is not executed or when /linuxrc terminates, the normal root file system is mounted. (If /linuxrc exits with any file-systems mounted on the initial root file-system, then the behavior of the kernel is UNSPECIFIED. See the NOTES section for the current kernel behavior.)

7. If the normal root file has directory /initrd, device /dev/ram0 is moved from / to /initrd. Otherwise if directory /initrd does not exist device /dev/ram0 is unmounted. (When moved from / to /initrd, /dev/ram0 is not unmounted and therefore processes can remain running from /dev/ram0. If directory /initrd does not exist on the normal root file-system and any processes remain running from /dev/ram0 when /linuxrc exits, the behavior of the kernel is UNSPECIFIED. See the NOTES section for the current kernel behavior.)

8. The usual boot sequence (e.g. invocation of /sbin/init) is performed on the normal root file system.

Answered by Saq , an ibibo Master, at 9:59 PM on August 18, 2008

When booting up with initrd, the system boots as follows:

1. The boot loader loads the kernel program and /dev/initrd's contents into memory.

2. On kernel startup, the kernel uncompresses and copies the contents of the device /dev/initrd onto device /dev/ram0 and then frees the memory used by /dev/initrd.

3. The kernel then read-write mounts device /dev/ram0 as the initial root file system.

4. If the indicated normal root file system is also the initial root file-system (e.g. /dev/ram0 ) then the kernel skips to the last step for the usual boot sequence.

5. If the executable file /linuxrc is present in the initial root file-system, /linuxrc is executed with UID 0. (The file /linuxrc must have executable permission. The file /linuxrc can be any valid executable, including a shell script.)

6. If /linuxrc is not executed or when /linuxrc terminates, the normal root file system is mounted. (If /linuxrc exits with any file-systems mounted on the initial root file-system, then the behavior of the kernel is UNSPECIFIED. See the NOTES section for the current kernel behavior.)

7. If the normal root file has directory /initrd, device /dev/ram0 is moved from / to /initrd. Otherwise if directory /initrd does not exist device /dev/ram0 is unmounted. (When moved from / to /initrd, /dev/ram0 is not unmounted and therefore processes can remain running from /dev/ram0. If directory /initrd does not exist on the normal root file-system and any processes remain running from /dev/ram0 when /linuxrc exits, the behavior of the kernel is UNSPECIFIED. See the NOTES section for the current kernel behavior.)

8. The usual boot sequence (e.g. invocation of /sbin/init) is performed on the normal root file system.

For more visit :

http://linux.die.net/man/ 4/initrd

Answered by Ashish Yadav , an ibibo Wizard, at 6:48 PM on August 18, 2008