From: Isaac Beckett <isaactbeckett@gmail.com>
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Subject: Re: A "diskless" Xen dom0 entirely in the ESP
Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 15:36:05 -0500
Message-Id: <B935605C-BE59-4789-AAE3-8D93271DC090@gmail.com>
References: <705935e6-974b-4919-9cdd-86ee3ce34daa@pobox.com>
Cc: ~alpine/users@lists.alpinelinux.org
In-Reply-To: <705935e6-974b-4919-9cdd-86ee3ce34daa@pobox.com>
To: rptb1+alpine@pobox.com

> On Nov 11, 2024, at 2:36 PM, rptb1+alpine@pobox.com wrote:
>=20
> Three reasons:
>=20
> 1. To subvert and virtualize an existing system without modifying it (very=
 much).  There are many reasons that might be useful, but I'm experimenting w=
ith PCI passthrough on a Steam Deck, running SteamOS as a domU.  I *could* o=
f course repartition the Steam Deck's SSD and make space for a traditional p=
artition, or boot from an external device, but then I started thinking what a=
 flexible tool this might be, and how it could be handy to have always there=
 on a portable system.
>=20
> 2. To learn in detail about Alpine and its boot process.
>=20
> 3. Because it would be a neat trick.
>=20
> Unfortunately, there's probably not enough room in the Steam Deck's defaul=
t ESP.
>=20
> It probably doesn't have broad application.
>=20
> I might be able to improve some of the documentation on the way through.

You might be able to shave off more space from the install by customizing th=
e packages installed (remove stuff you don=E2=80=99t need) or by using e.g. b=
uildroot to build an even smaller rootfs.=