Modifying Kernel Arguments

Install time kernel arguments with Anaconda

The anaconda bootloader verb can be used to configure kernel arguments. Note that like everything else configured via Anaconda, once set these arguments become "unmanaged" machine-specific state.

Install time kernel arguments with bootc-image-builder

The bootc install configuration file supports customizations.kernel.append. See the upstream documentation.

Note that like everything else set via the bootc-image-builder install config, once set these arguments become "unmanaged" machine-specific state.

Modifying Kernel Arguments via bootc install configs

When using bootc install, it is possible to add install-time kernel arguments both in the container image, and via bootc install --karg. "Day 2 updatable" kernel arguments are supported as well.

Part of the longer term design is that both Anaconda and bootc-image-builder will start internally using bootc install to-filesystem code, and hence also gain support for bootc install configuration. You can follow updates in the following two upstream trackers:

Note that like Anaconda and bootc-image-builder, the bootc install configuration is applied exactly once at install time, and thereafter becomes machine specific state.

Modifying Kernel Arguments on Existing Systems

The canonical kernel arguments are maintained in /boot/loader/entries. While the /boot filesystem is expected to be mounted read-only by default, it is supported to edit these files directly:

$ unshare -m /bin/bash -c 'mount -o remount,rw /boot; bash'
$ $editor /boot/loader/entries/...

Note that doing so will currently change the existing bootloader entry.

The current base images do include rpm-ostree which has rpm-ostree kargs; however, it is likely that rpm-ostree will be dropped from the default base image.

Future: kernel arguments managed via container updates

Kernel arguments can also be shipped when updating the bootc container, for instance, by adding a new .toml config to /usr/lib/bootc/kargs.d/. For details, please refer to the upstream documentation.