6.2. Debootstrap rootfs

6.2.1. Introduction

Debootstrap is a rootfs generator able to produce full distribution (Ubuntu or Debian based) rootfs. It can be used directly on the target or cross-compiled from a host computer.

6.2.2. Generating a rootfs

The procedure showed on the linux-sunxi in the Introduction explain how to quickly setup deboostrap and how to use it. The result is a folder containing the cross-compiled rootfs. In our repo, the directory agency/debootsrap_rootfs contains the script to generate an Ubuntu 20.04 focal distro for arm64.

6.2.3. Usability in the Infrabase framework

Debootstrap is one of the simplest tool to generate an ARM based rootfs.

Pros:

• Generate a distro based rootfs in < 30-min

• Can generate on the host or the target

• chroot customization, so it is really quick to tweak the rootfs on the host

• Small (592M Debootstrap vs 2.3G Armbian)

Cons:

• Limited in the distros list

• Need some manual tweaks after the base creation to have a fully functional system.

This framework is really usefull to quickly bring up a full distro rootfs. Its ability to script its creation easily and to customize it in a chroot like manner is what make it stand out.