Build initramfs: genkernel vs dracut

[midnite]

In my previous installations, I was using genkernel --install to build the initramfs, after manual kernel configuration.

https://web.archive.org/web/20220120060227/https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/Handbook:AMD64/Full/Installation#Optional:_Building_an_initramfs

[logrusx]

I can only say that I was unable to produce working initramfs using genkernel for my laptop. I haven't investigated why. I just noticed that gentoo-kernel used dracut and was able to produce working initramfs which made my touchpad and everything work and I was able to do the same manually, using the same config I tried to make work with genkernel.

So in my subjective opionion, dracut seem to be smarted than genkernel.

Regards,
Georgi

[r7l]

Generally speaking Genkernel does include the entire process of building a kernel and initramfs, while Dracut does only support building the initramfs.

Both of them work fine for what they are made for. I am using both and have barely any issues with them. To me, Genkernel is the superior product unless you want to have a nice boot up logo with Plymouth. This is the only thing where Dracut is actually better, as Genkernel does not support Plymouth. On the other hand, if you want to remotely unlock dm-crypt encrypted root partitions with SSH, Dracut will give you pretty hard time while Genkernel ships this out of the box.