Re: [PATCH 00/19] init: discoverable root partitions, a.k.a. an omittable "root=" cmdline option

On Mon, Jun 15, 2026 at 06:08:56PM +0200, Vincent Mailhol wrote:
> DPS [1] defines GPT partition type UUIDs for OS partitions and
> attributes that control whether such partitions should be
> automatically discovered. The specification states that:
> 
>   The OS can discover and mount the necessary file systems with a
>   non-existent or incomplete /etc/fstab file and without the root=
>   kernel command line option.
> 
> DPS is already implemented in systemd-gpt-auto-generator [2], which,
> when embedded in an initrd, indeed allows automatic detection of the
> root filesystem through its partition type UUID.
> 
> This series adds this discovery feature directly into the kernel so
> that people who are not using systemd or not using an initrd can still
> benefit from it. The implementation follows the same model as
> systemd-gpt-auto-generator:

I happen to co-maintain the DPS. It is userspace policy and complex
userspace policy at that and does not belong into the kernel.

This also implements a really tiny portion of the spec. It deals with a
lot more complex concepts such as automatic partitioning during
installation, verity, LUKS, containers. This is really not intended for
the kernel at all. I mean, it's great that this spec is being used but I
do not want this in the kernel just for the sake of auto-discovery.

The DPS is completely generic and can be implemented by tooling other
than systemd (util-linux implements it and so does refind iirc). I think
not wanting to use or build alternative userspace tooling for this is a
really weak argument for pushing this into the kernel.

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