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                      Bedrock Linux

Bedrock Linux 1.0alpha3 Bosco


© Bedrock Linux 2012-2024
Linux® is a registered
trademark of Linus Torvalds

Bedrock Linux 1.0alpha3 Bosco Configuration Instructions

rc.conf

The rc.conf configuration file covers the general system-wide configuration options, especially boot configuration options. It is located at /bedrock/etc/rc.conf. It is sourced as a bourne shell script, so be careful with your syntax - there should be no spaces around the equals signs used for establishing a setting. Change the text to the right of the equals sign to set the value.

TZ

Sets timezone using the POSIX TZ environmental variable standard. For details on the nuances of the POSIX TZ environmental variable, see:

e.g.: TZ=EST+5EDT,M3.2.0/2:00:00,M11.1.0/2:00:00

HWCLOCK

Sets whether the hardware clock is set to local time or UTC. Traditionally UNIX systems use UTC, but Windows uses local. If you are dual-booting with Windows, local may be preferable. Set to LOCAL or UTC accordingly.

e.g.: HWCLOCK=UTC

LANG

Sets the language/locale information.

e.g.: LANG=en_US.UTF-8

DEVICE_MANAGER

Determines which device manager Bedrock will use. Four options are available:

  1. "mdev": Bedrock Linux will use busybox's mdev at boot. If you have no clients which provide udev, or you do not like udev, this provides a similar service.

  2. "udev": Bedrock Linux will use udev from a client at boot. This has more features than mdev (for example, X11 can use it to automatically detect your hardware). It is what is used in most major Linux distributions. However, it requires udev be installed in a client. Should this fail - for example, if the client is deleted by a user who forgets to update this config - Bedrock Linux will attempt to fall back to mdev.

  3. "static": Bedrock will assume a static /dev has been created, and will not attempt to manage /dev at all. This is useful for systems where the devices are unlikely to change between boots or during usage, such as embedded systems.

  4. "initrd": This informs Bedrock's init that the initrd in use has set up both /dev and a device manager, and that it should be left alone. This may not work well if the initrd's device manager expects things to be in place in the filesystem after the init has finished which Bedrock does not provide. If the initrd sets up /dev and a device manager but another value is used for this setting, Bedrock's init will attempt to remove the initrd's work before using what you set.

e.g.: DEVICE_MANAGER=mdev

UDEV_CLIENT

If using DEVICE_MANAGER=udev, UDEV_CLIENT specifies which client's udev to utilize. If this is left blank, Bedrock Linux will attempt to use the udev components specified in /bedrock/sbrpath (which are populated by brp). If this, too, fails, Bedrock Linux will attempt to fall back to mdev.

e.g.: UDEV_CLIENT=squeeze

FSCK

if FSCK=1, Bedrock will attempt to run fsck at boot. Otherwise, Bedrock will skip running fsck at boot. If you are using an initrd which runs fsck, it could be beneficial to set FSCK=0 to avoid running fsck twice at boot.

e.g.: FSCK=1

NPATH

Sets the normal user POSIX PATH variable. These are the directories in which programs look for executables. If you aren't sure what to put here, you almost certainly want the value in the example below. Note that /etc/profile (which should be sourced by your shell when it starts) will add items to the beginning and end of this variable to make it play with Bedrock specific functionality.

e.g.: NPATH=/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin:/bin

SPATH

Sets additional directories for the super user's (aka root's) POSIX PATH variable. Same general idea as above, but for the root user who probably needs access to the s* directories that the non-root user does not.

e.g.: SPATH=/usr/local/sbin:/usr/sbin:/sbin

brclients.conf

The brclients.conf configuration file covers most client-specific settings in Bedrock Linux. It is located at /bedrock/etc/brclients.conf.

General Format

Each client will get its own configuration section. These sections each start with a section header, which looks like:

[client "CLIENTNAME"]

where CLIENTNAME is changed to the name you would like to give the client. For example, if you would like to make a client named "squeeze" (for Debian 6 Squeeze), the relevant configuration would go under a line starting with

[client "squeeze"]

The lines under the section headers are settings which are all in the form of key-value pairs. They look like:

KEY = VALUE

In addition to client sections, there are framework sections, which look like

[framework "FRAMEWORKNAME"]

These, too, take key-value pairs. Blank lines and lines starting with a "#" or ";" are ignored. In-line comments are not supported.

Settings

path

Every client should have exactly one path setting which specifies where the client's files are located in the filesystem relative to the absolute root (ie, without chroots or other filesystem manipulations.) For example, if a Debian Squeeze client is located at /var/chroot/squeeze, the relevant line will look like:

path = /var/chroot/squeeze

updatecmd

Since updating clients is a common task, the bru command was created to update all of the clients. The updatecmd setting specifies the command bru should run for the given client to update it. This is a bourne shell command; feel free to include bourne shellisms such as && within it. You may have multiple updatecmd's per a client, in which case they will be run one at a time. The updatecmd setting is optional - if left out, brp will simply skip the client. This is necessary for clients which do not have commands to update them, such as Bedrock Linux itself. For example, for a Debian Squeeze client:

updatecmd = apt-get update && apt-get upgrade

share

Most of the client's files are separated from the rest of the system via chroot. However, many things should be shared between clients to ensure they operate, such as /proc, and others should be shared to ensure the system feels cohesive, such as /home. Which files and directories should be shared for a client are specified with the share setting, which takes a comma-separated list of directories. Several examples:

share = /proc, /dev, /dev/pts, /sys, /bedrock, /etc/profile, /tmp
share = /var/tmp, /dev/shm, /home, /root, /etc/hostname, /etc/hosts
share = /lib/modules, /var/chroot, /var/chroot/bedrock
share = /etc/passwd, /etc/group, /etc/shadow, /etc/sudoers
share = /etc/resolv.conf

Note multiple share's are allowed per client to avoid overly long lines. See Recommended Share Settings below for recommendations on what directories to share. This is technically optional, but you almost certainly want it for all of your clients except for the Bedrock Linux client. Note the order of the comman-separated items matters. Items which contain other items, such as /dev which contains /dev/pts, should be earlier in the order.

framework

Finally, there is a framework setting which can be used to utilize the settings set in a framework section. For example, if there is a framework section called debclient, and you would like a Debian Squeeze client to utilize the settings specified there:

frmaework = debclient

Example

An example utilizing path, updatecmd and share (but not framework):

[client "squeeze"]
    path = /var/chroot/squeeze
    updatecmd = apt-get update && apt-get upgrade
    share = /proc, /dev, /dev/pts, /sys, /bedrock, /etc/profile, /tmp
    share = /var/tmp, /dev/shm, /home, /root, /etc/hostname, /etc/hosts
    share = /lib/modules, /var/chroot, /var/chroot/bedrock
    share = /etc/passwd, /etc/group, /etc/shadow, /etc/sudoers
    share = /etc/resolv.conf

Frameworks

It is commonplace for multiple clients to have identical updatecmd or share settings (but not path - this has to be unique per client). Rather than having each client have their own copy of such settings - and having to make a change in all of them when a need for a change is found - clients refer to "frameworks" for some of their settings. Note that the framework setting is not legal within a framework. Frameworks themselves do not do anything; their settings are simply references for use by clients. For example, if there are three clients, two of which utilize the same framework:

# framework for debian-based clients
[framework "debclient"]
    updatecmd = apt-get update && apt-get upgrade
    share = /proc, /dev, /dev/pts, /sys, /bedrock, /etc/profile, /tmp
    share = /var/tmp, /dev/shm, /home, /root, /etc/hostname, /etc/hosts
    share = /lib/modules, /var/chroot, /var/chroot/bedrock
    share = /etc/passwd, /etc/group, /etc/shadow, /etc/sudoers,
    share = /etc/resolv.conf

# debian 6 squeeze
[client "squeeze"]
    path = /var/chroot/squeeze
    framework = debclient

# ubuntu 12.04 precise pangolin
[client "precise"]
    path = /var/chroot/squeeze
    framework = debclient

# arch linux
[client "arch"]
    path = /var/chroot/arch
    updatecmd = pacman -Syu
    share = /proc, /dev, /dev/pts, /sys, /bedrock, /etc/profile, /tmp
    share = /var/tmp, /dev/shm, /home, /root, /etc/hostname, /etc/hosts
    share = /lib/modules, /var/chroot, /var/chroot/bedrock
    share = /etc/passwd, /etc/group, /etc/shadow, /etc/sudoers,
    share = /etc/resolv.conf

Following is a list of the files and directories which you should consider for the share settings in your clients and frameworks. This is not exhaustive - if you can think of something else you would like to share, feel free to do so. Moreover, if you disagree with the recommendation and feel you understand the repercussions of not sharing something, you may skip sharing these directories. Do not blindly take values from this, as many of this are potentially problematic - these are recommended for consideration for use rather than necessarily for use.

Required for basic functionality

The following directories are expected to be set up by many programs which require them for basic functionality. You almost certainly want these for all of your clients.

/proc,/dev,/dev/pts,/sys

Required for Bedrock Linux functionality

The following should be shared in any client that should be able to run commands in other clients. If you are attempting to set up a limited client without such functionality, this can be skipped.

/bedrock,/etc/profile

Temporary directories

Many programs create temporary files in these directories. These files are often used to communicate with other programs. To ensure these inter-program communication function across clients, you should share these directories.

/tmp,/var/tmp,/dev/shm

Note that /dev/shm should be after /dev if you are sharing /dev.

User files

Most of the user-specific files will be in /home and, for the root user, /root. You probably want these shared across clients.

/home,/root

Host files

Some programs will expect these files to be populated. Note that you do not necessarily have to make these the same in all clients, but if you cannot think of a reason to differentiate them, it is probably best to ensure they are the same. /etc/hostname,/etc/hosts

modules

The modules for the Linux kernel are traditionally kept in /lib/modules. If multiple clients would like to load these modules (or install non-upstreamed modules), the directory should be shared with all clients. Note that some Linux distributions are moving these to /usr/lib/modules, now, and leaving a symlink at /lib/modules pointing accordingly. This should not be a problem so long as the symlink is there. However, if you have multiple clients which use the same name for their kernels which attempt to install modules there could be a conflict. This is unlikely if you do not use multiple clients of the same distro/release which all have the kernel/modules packages installed, but is something to be careful about nonetheless. If you are using a kernel from a client, you almost certainly want to share this directory with at least that client.

/lib/modules

boot

Like /lib/modules, sharing this directory could be useful if you are using a kernel from a client so the client can keep the kernel you are using up to date. However, this also means if that client or another client which also shares /boot has a problem or there is a conflict, it could potentially make your system unbootable. There also are not very many benefits to sharing this with clients which will not have their kernels used for booting. It might be safest to simply manually copy the kernel files from the /boot of the respective clients into the core where they are out of reach of the client's package managers.

/boot

firmware

Like /lib/modules and /boot, it can be useful to use a client's /lib/firmware if you are also using its kernel. However, this can easily conflict with other clients. In general, it is probably best to simply copy files from clients into the core Bedrock's /lib/firmware.

/lib/firmware

Other clients

You may want to share the directories which contain the other clients to make their files accessible elsewhere. For example, the core Bedrock client only has a very limited form of vi as an editor; if you would like to use another editor to edit its files, these files will have to be accessible from the client with the editor. The recommended location for clients is /var/chroot/. That directory could be shared to share all of the clients. Do note however that Bedrock Linux itself isn't available there. To resolve this, /etc/fstab could be used to bind mount it in /var/chroot. However, since it is mounted there, it will have to be shared separately. Note the order; it matters here.

/var/chroot,/var/chroot/bedrock

Problematic /etc files

You probably want these files shared between clients. However, if they are set to be shared here, the normal means of updating them will break. See here for the issue page:

You have several options:

This assumes /tmp is shared between clients.

Work is underway to create a daemon to automate this second option. See here for its current state:

The discussed files are:

/etc/passwd,/etc/group,/etc/shadow,/etc/sudoers,/etc/resolv.conf

Other Notes:

Client Placement

The standard location to place clients is each in their own directory in /var/chroot. However, if you would like to place some or all clients elsewhere, this is supported.

Bedrock Linux as a client

It is useful to set up Bedrock Linux itself as a client so that commands such as brl recognize it. Moreover, bedrock has to be a client to get commands such as poweroff and reboot to work.

Note that:

Full Example

Following is an example brclients.conf which makes use of all of the discussed functionality and is representative of what most brclients.conf will look like.

# framework used by most clients
[framework "normal"]
    share = /proc, /dev, /dev/pts, /sys, /bedrock, /etc/profile, /tmp
    share = /var/tmp, /dev/shm, /home, /root, /etc/hostname, /etc/hosts
    share = /lib/modules, /var/chroot, /var/chroot/bedrock
    share = /etc/passwd, /etc/group, /etc/shadow, /etc/sudoers
    share = /etc/resolv.conf

# the core bedrock linux as a client
[client "bedrock"]
    path = /

# debian 6 squeeze
[client "squeeze"]
    path = /var/chroot/squeeze
    updatecmd = apt-get update && apt-get upgrade
    framework = normal

# ubuntu 12.04 precise pangolin
[client "precise"]
    path = /var/chroot/squeeze
    updatecmd = apt-get update && apt-get upgrade
    framework = normal

# fedora 17 beefy miracle
[client "beefy"]
    path = /var/chroot/beefy
    updatecmd = yum update
    framework = normal

# arch linux
[client "arch"]
    path = /var/chroot/arch
    updatecmd = pacman -Syu
    framework = normal

# debian unstable/sid
[client "sid"]
    path = /var/chroot/sid
    updatecmd = apt-get update && apt-get upgrade
    framework = normal

# 32-bit debian 6 squeeze
[client "squeeze32"]
    path = /var/chroot/squeeze32
    updatecmd = apt-get update && apt-get upgrade
    framework = normal

# sandboxed debian for apache
[client "apachesandbox"]
    path = /var/chroot/apachesandbox
    updatecmd = apt-get update && apt-get upgrade
    share = /proc,/dev,/dev/pts,/sys,/etc/hostname,/etc/hosts
    share = /etc/resolv.conf

fstab

For the most part, this is a /etc/fstab file such as you would find in any other Linux distribution, and documentation for those distributions should apply here as well. This file is primarily used for mounting partitions at boot or setting up the functionality for devices to be easily mounted by an end-user, such as optical drives.

However, there are a few additional things to note:

.brsh.conf

To use the Bedrock Linux meta-shell brsh, create a file in your home directory called .brsh.conf which contains the contents that should be in your $SHELL environment. For example, if you would like to use bash, have ~/.brsh.conf contain just:

/bin/bash.

rcS.clients and rcK.clients

To have a client daemon start or stop at boot/shutdown, place the relevant command to do this in /etc/init.d/rcS.clients and /etc/init.d/rcK.clients, respectively. For example, to start Debian squeeze's cups daemon at boot, place the following in your /etc/init.d/rcS.clients:

brc squeeze /etc/init.d/cups start

And, to ensure it properly closes at shutdown, place the following in your /etc/init.d/rcK.clients:

brc squeeze /etc/init.d/cups stop