RFC: Redesigned initrd image

[axonasif]

Context & Issue

The current initrd.img implementation of android-x86 could deserve to be reworked a bit in several aspects, such as:

• Bootloader (i.e. newer grub implementation)
• Logic/tool optimizations in init script/code.
• Improvements for a better user experience on early boot errors/failures.
• Source code transparency, so it's easier to upgrade components and not have pre-compiled file-blobs committed on Git.
• Reduce maintenance burden by reusing the standards.

This is a non-exhaustive list 👆

Please feel free to edit this message or post your own thoughts as a comment cc @electrikjesus @hmtheboy154

Goal

To make the initrd codebase easier to maintain and collaborate on the long run with added improvements.

Decisions / Next Steps

TBD

Notes/Resources

TBD

[electrikjesus]

Bootloader Needs:

• updated Grub (2.06 with ubuntu grub modules) - 11th/12th/+ gen intel boot support
• inherit functions from current init_android_x86.....rc/init.sh

Bootloader Wants:

• IPFS system image definition (clone and mount)
• IPXE interface
• live mode debugging tools (log, dmesg, etc)
• support current root methods (su/magisk/ksu/none)
• support for overlayfs for immutable system.img options

Installer Needs:

• unattended install mode with options (flags to pass for definitions)
• partition/filesystem tools (gparted or current)
• menu driven options for read/write, grub, etc.
• basic update functions

Installer Wants:

• Updated GUI
• root file browser
• basic networking interface
• Updater Interface (more like a recovery)