How is the Linux operating system booted from an image?
sobes.tech AI
Answer from AI
Loading the Linux operating system from an image typically occurs in several stages:
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Bootloader loading: When the computer is turned on, BIOS/UEFI hands over control to the bootloader (e.g., GRUB), which resides in the boot sector or EFI partition.
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Loading the Linux kernel: The bootloader loads the Linux kernel and initramfs (temporary filesystem) into memory.
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Kernel initialization: The kernel initializes hardware, mounts the root filesystem (rootfs), which can be on an image (e.g., ISO, initrd).
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Starting the init system: After mounting rootfs, the init process (systemd, SysVinit, etc.) is started, which launches other services and user processes.
If the boot is from an image (e.g., ISO image of a distribution), the bootloader can be configured to load the kernel and initramfs directly from the image, or the image can be mounted as a virtual disk from which the system boots.