man > update-initramfs(8)

UPDATE-INITRAMFS(8)                     System Administration                    UPDATE-INITRAMFS(8)

NAME
       update-initramfs - generate an initramfs image


SYNOPSIS
       update-initramfs {-c|-d|-u} [-k version] [-v] [-b directory]
       update-initramfs -h

DESCRIPTION
       The  update-initramfs script manages your initramfs images on your local box.  It keeps track
       of the existing initramfs archives in /boot.  There are three modes of operation create,  up‐
       date or delete.  You must at least specify one of those modes.

       The  initramfs is a gzipped cpio archive.  At boot time, the kernel unpacks that archive into
       RAM disk, mounts and uses it as initial root file system. All finding of the root device hap‐
       pens in this early userspace.


OPTIONS
       -k  version
              Set the specific kernel version for whom the initramfs will be generated.  For example
              the output of uname -r for your currently running kernel.  This argument  is  optional
              for update. The default is the latest kernel version.

              The use of "all" for the version string specifies that update-initramfs should operate
              on  all  installed kernel versions (with -c), or on all installed kernel versions that
              already have an initramfs (with -d or -u).


       -c     This mode creates a new initramfs.


       -u     This mode updates an existing initramfs.


       -d     This mode deletes an existing initramfs.


       -v     This option increases the amount of information you are given during  the  chosen  ac‐
              tion.


       -b  directory
              Set an different bootdir for the image creation.


       -h, --help
              Print a short help page describing the available options in update-initramfs.


EXAMPLES
       Update the initramfs of the newest kernel:


       update-initramfs -u


       Create the initramfs for a specific kernel:


       update-initramfs -c -k 2.6.18-1-686


FILES
       /etc/initramfs-tools/update-initramfs.conf


AUTHOR
       The  initramfs-tools  are  written by Maximilian Attems <maks AT debian.org>, Jeff Bailey <jbai‐
       ley AT raspberryginger.com> and numerous others.


SEE ALSO
       initramfs.conf(5), initramfs-tools(7), mkinitramfs(8), lsinitramfs(8).

initramfs-tools                              2014/10/16                          UPDATE-INITRAMFS(8)