[Bug 235388] gptzfsboot does not boot ZFS pool made from whole disks (regression), part two

bugzilla-noreply at freebsd.org bugzilla-noreply at freebsd.org
Mon Feb 4 17:02:54 UTC 2019


https://bugs.freebsd.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=235388

--- Comment #3 from reto.haeuptli at infinox.ch ---
(In reply to Toomas Soome from comment #1)

It seems that I need to clarify some things first.


1.) gptzfsboot + zpool from partitions 
This use case is still in use and very important for many users, because
lots of  i385/amd64 computers do not have a UEFI Bios or have CSM
activated.

2.) gptzfsboot + zpool from whole disks 
This is a very important use case for me and probably also for some
other people. With base r342151 its no longer possible to boot such
pools. This use case is so important for me, because I use it on servers
and testing machines with many hard disk drives and ssds. Is very
convenient that there is no need to partition a disk when I have to
replace them. I have tried this on hundreds of installations almost
without any problem. I never had a problem with detecting the proper
capacity of the disks, even if they had 10TB. With the notable exception
of FreeBSD 12. I have filed this under Bug 235380, but this is another
story.

3.) uefiboot + zpool from partitions 
This use case is important for
actual computers and of course in the future when there are no CSM is
available any more. I personally use this on computers with just one or
thwo disk/ssd.

4.) uefiboot + zpool from whole disks 
This is, as it seems, not
implemented yet, because the FreeBSD UEFI loader does not support it.
There is a ticket about this use case in the system, Bug 220105. In the next
few
weeks I will investigate what is needed to supports this. When I succeed
I will prepare a patch set.


Of course I see that r342151 fixed a problem of someones computer and I
estimate it. I do not know the circumstances of this hang of course. If
its related to base r37271 by coincidence please let me know.

But I want to point out again that r342151 breaks the booting of ZFS
from whole disks independent of the booting method and/or platform. In my
opinion the booting method (gptzfsboot, uefiboot, etc) and how the zpool
is consisted from (whole disks, partitions) should be implemented
orthogonally.

Having the ability to boot zpool from whole disks back as a compile
option, as You proposed, would be good enough for me and I would highy
apreciate it.

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