Linuxrc

linuxrc is a small program that runs before the actual installation program YaST is started.

It is responsible for the hardware setup and will search for an installation repository. To specify the repository location, use the install option.

The use of linuxrc is not limited to the installation. You can also use it as a boot tool for an installed system and even for an independent RAM disk–based rescue system.

Passing parameters

linuxrc accepts parameters either by commandline or through configuration files. For this, pass the file location using the info parameter. You can use this option several times - linuxrc will read all files.

linuxrc parameters are case-insensitive and you can add as many hyphens, underscores, or dots as you want.

The option argument can be put in doublequotes.

For example, the following are all equivalent:

SSHPassword=foo
sshpassword="foo"
ssh.password=foo
ssh-password="foo"
ssh_password=foo
S.Shp-AsSw._.orD=foo

Parameter Reference

<span id="url_descr"/>

Some parameters expect an URL as argument. Here is a short overview of the syntax.

Supported schemes:

cd (or cdrom)         # CD-ROM
disk                  # any local disk device (CD-ROM, hard disk or floppy)
file                  # local file
floppy                # floppy (better use disk)
ftp                   # ftp server
hd (or harddisk)      # local hard disk
http                  # http server
nfs                   # nfs server
slp                   # use SLP to get the real URL
smb (or cifs)         # Windows share
tftp                  # tftp server

General format:

scheme://domain;user:password@server:port/path?query

If scheme: is missing, a relative URL is assumed which is normally relative to the repository.

For smb/cifs path is preceded with the share name:

path = share/path

domain is only for scheme smb/cifs and specifies the domain/workgroup of the user.

For references to local devices, using cd, disk, floppy, hd, path can optionally be preceded with the device name

 path = device/path

For another way to specify the device, see below.

query may be one or more of

device=device_pattern
instsys=URL             # install parameter only
service=slp_service     # slp scheme only
descr=slp_descr         # slp scheme only
url=slp_url             # slp scheme only

separated by '&'.

<span id="device_descr"/>

device specifies the device to use (linuxrc will normally try all devices in turn). You can use typical shell metacharacters here. Like:

install=cd:/?device=sr0                  # first CD-ROM
install=cd:/sr0                          # alternative form
install=cd:/dev/sr0                      # optionally add /dev
install=hd:/?device=sdb*                 # any partition on 2nd hard disk
install=hd:/?device=*label/foo           # partition with fs label 'foo'
install=nfs://foo/bar?device=eth0        # works with network devices, too
install=nfs://foo/bar?device=00:0e:0c:*  # matches MAC addresses, too

instsys is only relevant for the install parameter. Also, see instsys option.

service, descr and url are only useful for scheme slp and limit the list of URLs. Like:

# get URL list via SLP
install=slp:/
# ... but only those with 'openSUSE' in the description
install=slp:/?descr=*openSUSE*
# ... and only ftp URLs
install=slp:/?descr=*openSUSE*&url=ftp:*

You will probably never need any parameter except install. But in case you do, here is the complete list.

Parameter	Description
AddSwap	Tries to activate a swap partition. If set to 0, the system does not try to activate a swap partition. If set to a positive number, the partition corresponding to the number is activated as a swap partition. With a negative number, linuxrc will present you a dialog for selecting the swap partition or creating a swap file. Alternatively, specify the full device name of a partition. Examples: addswap=/dev/sda2 # '/dev/' is optional addswap=sda2 # 5th swap partition addswap=5 # never ask for swap (even if it might be a good idea) addswap=0 # interactive addswap=-1
Alias
AutoYaST	This parameter can be used to initiate an automatic installation using AutoYaST. The value must be a URL pointing to an AutoYaST installation profile. See parameter Installation for all possible formats. Example: AutoYast=ftp://autoyast_profile.xml
BootDisk
BootFile
BOOTPTimeout	Timeout for BOOTP requests in seconds.
Bootpwait	<span id="p_bootpwait"/> Sets a delay between interface setup and bootp request in seconds. Example: BootpWait=10
Broadcast	Broadcast IP address Example: Broadcast=10.10.255.255
BrokenModules	<span id="p_brokenmodules"/> Comma-separated list of modules that will not be loaded during initialization. Note that it does not work cumulative. If you use this option several times, the last one will win. This allows you, for example, to clear this list in a driver update. Example: BrokenModules=ahci,ata_piix
Buffers
Cached
CDROMDevice	No longer supported. Use device or install.
Console
ConsoleDevice	Console device name. Example: ConsoleDevice=/dev/tty9
_DebugWait	(internal): wait for keypress at some points.
Device	<span id="p_device"/> Specify the storage device to use when looking for a repository. See device description for allowed values. Normally, this is not necessary. But if you really need this option, consider adding it to the URL of the Install parameter. Examples: device=sr1 # 2nd CD-ROM drive device=sdc* # partition on 3rd disk
Display	windowed only Sets the linuxrc color scheme. 1 - Monochromatic display [black/white] 2 - VGA colors [blue/white] (default) 3 - Alternative VGA colors [green/white] Examples: Display=3 # go greenish
Display_IP	IP address of X server for remote installation via X11 Example: Display_IP=10.10.1.57
DHCP	No longer supported.
DHCPCD	<span id="p_dhcpcd"/> Additional options for dhcpcd (the DHCP client used by linuxrc). Example: dhcpcd=-B
DHCPTimeout	Timeout for DHCP requests in seconds. Example: dhcptimeout=120
Domain	Domain search path for DNS. Only useful for non-DHCP network config. Example: domain=opensuse.org
DoSCSIRename	Reorder SCSI devices so that USB and Firewire devices come last. And do it NOW (that is, when the option is parsed). Don't use this option. Example: doscsirename=1
DriverUpdate	<span id="p_driverupdate"/> Ask for driver update disk. Values: 0,1
DUD	Alias for driverupdate parameter.
ESCDelay
ethtool	Run ethtool for any or all network interfaces. Ethtool can change ethernet card settings. See man ethtool for details. Format: [if0=]option Examples: "ethtool=eth0=duplex full" # only applies to eth0 "ethtool=speed 10" # applies to all network interfaces
Exec	Executes an additional binary. Example: exec=/usr/bin/top
Expert	deprecated Combines Textmode and DriverUpdate Values: 0 ignored 1 enable text mode 2 ask for driver update disk 3 both
FloppyDevice	No longer supported. Use install.
Font
Fontmagic
ForceInsmod	No longer supported.
ForceRootimage	No longer supported.
Gateway	This specifies the gateway through which the installation server can be reached if it is not located in the subnetwork of the host. Example: gateway=192.168.1.1
HasPCMCIA
HostIP	Specifies the static IP address of the host. The number of network bits can be appended, saving you the extra netmask parameter. Examples: hostip=192.168.1.101 # or, giving netmask 255.255.255.0 as well hostip=192.168.1.101/24
Hostname	Full qualified hostname.
HWDetect	Controls hardware detection. Values: 0 (off), 1 (on)
Info	<span id="p_info"/> Specifies the file to read more options from as URL. For supported schemes and a syntax description, look here. linuxrc reads all specified files. A file may contain further info parameters. Examples: info=cd:/info1 info=disk:/install/info2 info=http://foo/bar/info3
InitrdID	Forces initrd ID to a given value. linuxrc compares instsys and initrd IDs and only proceeds if both are identical.
InitrdModules	List of additional modules to put into the installed system's initrd.
Insecure	linuxrc checks SHA1 sums of all files it downloads. They are taken from (repository):/content after its signature has been verified. If you don't want this, do: insecure=1 Note that it is not possible to bring linuxrc back into secure mode after this. In particular: insecure=0 will not work.
Insmod	This specifies a module the kernel should load, together with any parameters needed for it. Module parameters must be separated by blanks. The module is loaded before hardware detection starts. Module dependencies are automatically resolved (the name insmod is a bit misleading here). Note that modules blacklisted with brokenmodules cannot be loaded this way. Examples: # load ahci insmod=ahci # remember the quotes insmod="loop max_loop=100" # load several modules insmod=tg3 insmod=e1000
Install	<span id="p_install"/> Specifies the installation repository as URL. For supported schemes and a syntax description, look here. It must point to either a directory or an ISO image. Additionally, a special scheme exec is supported which does not need a repository but just runs the argument after linuxrc did the hardware setup. Examples: # from CD-ROM install=cd:/ # ftp from server foo, directory openSUSE-10.3-i386 install=ftp://foo/pub/openSUSE-10.3-i386 # local disk, ISO image openSUSE-10.3-i386-DVD.iso install=disk://install/openSUSE-10.3-i386-DVD.iso # Windows share bar, ISO image openSUSE-10.3-i386-DVD.iso install=smb://foo/bar/openSUSE-10.3-i386-DVD.iso # get real URL via SLP install=slp:/ # just start a shell install=exec:/bin/sh The installation program is normally loaded from the repository. If for some reason you don't want this, you can specify the installation system image to use explicitly by adding ?instsys= or using the instsys parameter; for example: install=cd:/?instsys=ftp://testserver/foo # is the same as instsys=ftp://testserver/foo install=cd:/
InstallDir	No longer supported. Use install.
InstMode	No longer supported. Use install.
Instsys	<span id="p_instsys"/> Specifies the installation system to use. Default value is boot/<arch>/root. May point to a filesystem image or to a directory. For supported schemes and a syntax description, look here. See install for an alternative way to specify it. Example: instsys=my/zappel # use my/zappel from repository instsys=http://foo/zappel # use zappel from server foo
InstsysComplain	Controls what initrd should do if initrd ID and instsys ID do not match. Values: 0 ignore 1 print a warning 2 abort with an error In non-Beta systems this parameter defaults to 0 (ignore).
InstsysID	Force instsys ID to a given value. linuxrc compares instsys and initrd IDs and only proceeds if both are identical.
IPAddr	DHCP only Alias for HostIP parameter.
KBDTimeout	windowed only Keyboard timeout in seconds. The time after which linuxrc proceeds with default values if no input is made. Default to 0 (off).
Kexec	If set to 1, linuxrc will load kernel and initrd from the repository and restart with them. Spares people installing via network the download of the Boot-CD as you can keep using an old one. Available only for x86 and x86-64 currently. Example: kexec=1
Keytable	Virtual console keyboard map to load. Example: Keytable=fr-latin1
Lang	Alias for Language parameter.
Language	Language preselected for the installation. Example: Language=de_DE Language=fr_FR Language=cs_CZ
Linemode	Enables line-mode usable on dumb terminals. Example: linemode=1
linuxrc	Comma-separated list of at most two flags of which one controls whether to ignore commandline arguments ("nocmdline") and the other one performs an unknown function ("reboot").
LinuxrcDebug	linuxrc debug verbosity. Values: 0 no debug output ... 4 maximum debug output Defaults to 0.
LinuxrcLog	Device to print error messages to. Defaults to /dev/tty3.
LinuxrcSTDERR	Synonym for LinuxrcLog.
Listen
Live	No longer supported.
LiveConfig	Path to Live Eval config file.
LiveSRC	No longer supported.
Locale
Loghost	Syslog hostname.
LogLevel	Set kernel log level. Values: 1 - 8 Defaults to 1 for serial consoles, 7 for all other consoles.
LXRCDebug	Synonym for LinuxrcDebug.
Manual	Start linuxrc in manual mode. Values: 0 automatic mode 1 manual mode 2 really manual manual mode (E.g. no USB keyboard since no USB setup is done!)
MemFree
MemLimit	Amount of free memory in kB below which linuxrc will ask the user to set up a swap partition.
MemLoadImage	Amount of free memory in kB below which linuxrc will not copy the root image into RAM.
MemModules	Amount of free memory in kB below which linuxrc will delete all kernel modules before starting YaST.
MemTotal
MemYaST	Amount of free memory in kB below which linuxrc will start YaST in text mode.
MemYaSTText	Amount of free memory in kB below which linuxrc will ask the user to set up a swap partition before starting YaST.
MinMemory	Amount of memory in kB below which linuxrc will refuse to start. Defaults to 0.
ModuleDelay	Wait some seconds after loading each module. Useful if your hardware is a bit slow. Example: # wait 5 seconds ModuleDelay=5 Defaults to 0.
ModuleDisks	No longer supported.
Nameserver	DNS nameserver IP address. Example: Nameserver=192.168.1.1
NetConfig	Network Configuration Type Possible values are : dhcp / static This doesn't work on SLE10 SP1 - use netsetup instead.
Netdevice	Specify the network interface. See device description for allowed values. Normally, this is not necessary. But if you really need this option, consider adding it to the URL of the Install parameter. Examples: netdevice=eth1 # 2nd ethernet interface netdevice=wlan* # wlan interface
Netmask	also via DHCP Static IP netmask of the installing host.
Netretry	Netretry=N will retry all network connection attempts N times (e.g., when trying to reach the FTP server). This is mainly for debugging network problems.
NetSetup	Network Configuration Type Possible values are : dhcp / static Verified on SLE10 SP1. See also NetConfig
_NetStop	internal
NetUniqueID
NetWait	<span id="p_netwait"/> Wait some seconds after activating the network interface. This might be needed in rare cases for some cards. If you have problems with DHCP, also look at dhcpcd; for BOOTP, try bootpwait Example: # wait 8 seconds NetWait=8
Network	also via DHCP
NewID
NFSPort
NFS.RSize
NFS.TCP	No longer supported.
NFS.WSize
NoMDNS	Turn off MDNS usage. Example: nomdns=1
NoPCMCIA	deprecated Do not start the PCMCIA card manager. This option may not be useful any more.
NoShell	Do not start any shell. By default, linuxrc starts /bin/bash at /dev/tty2, /dev/tty9 and if memory requirements permit (well, about always) also at /dev/tty5 and /dev/tty6. See also parameters MemLimit, MemYaST and MemYaSTText. Example: noshell=1
Options	This section is for module options Syntax is "module parameter" Example: Options: thermal tzp=50 means parameter "tzp=50" for module "thermal"
Partition	No longer supported. Use device or install.
Password	No longer supported. Use install.
PCMCIA
Pointopoint
Port
Product
ProductDir
Proxy	<span id="p_proxy"/> Defines a HTTP proxy server. For a URL syntax overview, look here. Examples: # use proxy.foo.org at port 3128 proxy=http://proxy.foo.org:3128 # using 'http://' is optional: proxy=proxy.foo.org:3128 # or, with authentication proxy=http://foo:bar@proxy.foo.org:3128
ProxyPort	No longer supported. Use proxy.
ProxyProto	No longer supported. Use proxy.
Reboot
Rescue	<span id="p_rescue"/> Load the rescue system. See install for syntax. Alternatively, use rescue=1 and install or instsys.
RescueImage	Location of the rescue system image within the installation source.
RootImage	Location of root image (installation system image) within the installation source.
RootImage2	No longer supported.
RootPassword	Linuxrc asks for a root's password. Example: RootPassword=ask
RootPath	DHCP only
Screenmap	Obsolete, do not use (it does not do what you probably think [if you think of anything it could do ;) ]).
SCSIBeforeUSB
SCSIRename
Server
Serverdir	No longer supported. Use install.
SetupCmd
SetupNetIF
Share	No longer supported. Use install.
Sourcemounted
Splash	Defines whether a splash-screen is used during initialization. Example Splash=silent Splash=verbose
SSH	Alias for UseSSH parameter.
SSHPassword	This sets the password for the user root for logging into the SSH server during installation if UseSSH is set. This is not the password of the system to be installed. See RootPassword. Example: SSHPassword=12345678
StartShell	Boots into the installation system and starts a shell. Waits until user exits the shell. User can modify the installation system, mount or remount partitions or start YaST installation manually by running /usr/lib/YaST2/startup/YaST2.First-Stage. Example: StartShell=1
StaticDevices
SwapTotal
SwapFree
TERM	Terminal type on which linuxrc is running Example: TERM=dumb
_TestMode	internal config file only
_TestPivotRoot	internal
Textmode	Enables starting YaST in text mode otherwise it starts in Qt if possible. Example: Textmode=1
TFTPTimeout	Timeout for TFTP connections in seconds.
_TmpFS	No longer supported.
UpdateComplain
UpdateDir
UpdateExpected
UpdateID	config file only
UpdateName
UpdatePriority	config file only
UpdateStyle
USBWait	Number of seconds to wait after loading USB modules.
UseDHCP	If an automatic network setup is required, defines whether DHCP or BOOTP should be used. Default is DHCP. Example: # use BOOTP UseDHCP=0
UsePivotRoot	No longer supported.
Username	No longer supported. Use install.
UseSSH	This parameter enables access to linuxrc via SSH when performing the installation with YaST in text mode or via X11 forwarding. Use ssh -X root@hostname or ssh -Y root@hostname for X11 forwarding. Values: 0 (off), 1 (on)
UseVNC	Alias for parameter VNC parameter.
VNC	The VNC parameter enables the installation process via VNC, making the installation more convenient on hosts that have no or no really usable local console. If enabled, a VNC server is activated on the installation host. See also VNCPassword. Example: VNC=1 enable VNC VNC=0 disable VNC (default)
VNCPassword	This sets the VNC password for an installation via VNC. Example: VNCPassword=12345678
WaitReboot
WithiSCSI	During installation starts YaST module to configure iSCSI initiator
WlanAuth
WlanESSID
WlanKeyAscii
WlanKeyHex
WlanKeyLen
WlanKeyPass
WorkDomain	No longer supported. Use install.
YaST2update
YaST2color
Zen	No longer supported.
ZenConfig	No longer supported.
Zombies	If you don't want linuxrc to take care of zombie processes during installation, set this to 0. (Don't do this.) Example: zombies=0

Special parameters for S/390 and zSeries

Parameter	Description
CTCProtocol	CTC protocol to use. Values: 0 compatible 1 extended 2 z/OS
DataChannel	CCW data channel for CU3088 and QDIO devices Format: h.h.hhhh
InstNetDev	Network device to install from. Values: osa OSA-2 or OSA Express hsi Hipersocket ctc CTC (deprecated) escon ESCON (deprecated) iucv IUCV (deprecated)
IUCVPeer	Name of peer for IUCV networking.
Layer2	Turn on OSI layer 2 access for OSA Express Ethernet interfaces. Values: 0 (off), 1 (on)
OSAHWAddr	introduced in SLE10 SP1 Manual MAC address setting for Layer 2-enabled OSA devices. Note that this is distinct from HWAddr, which contains the default MAC address as detected by linuxrc. Example: OSAHWAddr=11:22:33:44:55:66
OSAInterface	Software interface for OSA devices. Values: qdio QDIO lcs LCS
OSAMedium	Physical medium for OSA devices. Values: eth Ethernet tr Token Ring
Portname	Portname for OSA devices.
ReadChannel	CCW read channel for CU3088 and QDIO devices. Format: h.h.hhhh
WriteChannel	CCW write channel for CU3088 and QDIO devices. Format: h.h.hhhh

Special parameters not handled by Linuxrc itself

Parameter	Description
Mem	Defines a maximum RAM that will be used by the installation system. It's helpful for testing installation memory requirements. Example: mem=128M
Y2_BRAILLE	This environment variable sets the style of installation textmode UI to 'braille' i.e. it is optimized for visually impaired people. Use together with 'textmode=1' Example: Y2_BRAILLE=1
Y2DEBUG	Turns all YaST debugging messages on. These messages are logged into the /var/log/YaST2/y2log file marked with <0> flag. This parameter is handled by YaST itself and can be also prepended to the command-line when starting any YaST module.
TERM	Setting this environment variable influences the color style that will be used in installation textmode UI. E.g. TERM=xterm sets the theme to xterm, some TERM not supporting colors will use monochromatic theme. When not set, default theme linux is applied. However, be careful and before setting any TERM value, check that it has valid terminfo entry. Otherwise installation may abort. Available terms can be found in the /yast/instsource/inst-sys/usr/share/terminfo directory - installation system has another set of available terms than a running system. To get a monochromatic term, use linux-m. Use this parameter together with textmode=1. Example: TERM=xterm TERM=linux-m
ZYPP_FULLLOG	Sets LibZYPP logging level to the highest value. Useful for debugging products, packages and patches dependency problems. This variable can be also set on a running system before running every YaST module. Example: ZYPP_FULLLOG=1 # Linuxrc ZYPP_FULLLOG=1 /sbin/yast2 online_update # Running system

Errata

openSUSE 10.3

• info=file:/file_name does not work if file_name is 'info'; just use another name

• netwait does not apply to DHCP

• rescue=url is not sufficient; use 'rescue=1 rescue=url'