romfs
| Other | |
|---|---|
| Supported operating systems | Unix-like systems |
Romfs (styled romfs) is a minimal, read-only computing file system designed for storing files in read-only memory, particularly in Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) or similar ROM media.[1] Due to its small size and straightforward design, it is commonly used in devices where system resources are limited.[2] It is available on Linux and can be implemented on other Unix-like systems with appropriate support.[3]
Usage
Romfs is often used as an initial ROM or initial RAM disk containing kernel modules or essential system files that can be loaded during the boot process.[4] Its implementation requires minimal code, making it suitable for embedded systems and boot floppies.[5]
Technical details
Romfs stores files sequentially in contiguous blocks. The description of the filesystem layout is documented in the Linux kernel source tree and can be accessed through the LXR – romfs.rst.[6]
Platform support and tools
Bo Brantén created a RomFS file system driver for Windows NT/2000/XP.[7]
Nikolay Aleksandrov developed romfser, an open-source tool to extract and manipulate RomFS images, primarily intended for the BSD family of operating systems, which do not include native RomFS support.[8]
References
- ^ "ROMFS - ROM File System". Linux Kernel Documentation. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ "ROMFS - ROM File System". Linux Kernel Documentation. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ "ROMFS - ROM File System". Linux Kernel Documentation. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ "Is this exactly what RomFS in the Linux kernel does?". Stack Overflow. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ Yaghmour, Karim (2003). Building Embedded Linux Systems. O'Reilly Media. ISBN 978-0596002220.
- ^ "ROMFS filesystem layout". LXR Cross Referencer. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ "RomFS driver for Windows NT/2000/XP". Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ "romfser GitHub repository". Retrieved 14 August 2025.