Bug#1119539: chattr not available

[Cyril Brulebois]

Michael Tokarev  (2025-10-30):
> [chattr lsattr]
> 
> > The regular ones are interestingly provided by e2fsprogs, which has an
> > e2fsprogs twin where those could probably be added. Any reasons to
↑
e2fsprogs-udeb is what I meant to write

> > prefer the busybox implementation over e2fsprogs's or the other way
> > around?
> 
> To me there's not much point to provide an extra udeb while busybox's
> ones are sufficient, and while most other tools in D-I are built on top
> of busybox.

Just to clarify: It was not about adding an extra udeb but about adding
two more executables into an existing one.

> Actually I'm surprised I haven't enabled them in busybox udeb long
> time ago - I think I already come across this same problem before.
> But I don't use D-I much, so that's most likely why.
> 
> Enabling the two in udeb config...

If you're happy to take the lead on this and to enable those two
applets, that's fine with me, thanks!


Cheers,
-- 
Cyril Brulebois (k...@debian.org)
D-I release manager -- Release team member -- Freelance Consultant


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Bug#1119539: chattr not available

[Michael Tokarev]

On 10/29/25 20:10, Cyril Brulebois wrote:

[chattr lsattr]


The regular ones are interestingly provided by e2fsprogs, which has an
e2fsprogs twin where those could probably be added. Any reasons to
prefer the busybox implementation over e2fsprogs's or the other way
around?


To me there's not much point to provide an extra udeb while busybox's
ones are sufficient, and while most other tools in D-I are built on top
of busybox.


Actually I'm surprised I haven't enabled them in busybox udeb long time
ago - I think I already come across this same problem before.  But I
don't use D-I much, so that's most likely why.

Enabling the two in udeb config...

Thanks,

/mjt

Bug#1119539: chattr not available

[João]

Hello, thanks for the quick reply. I don't have any preference (I thought that 
couldn't be an option). I'm fine with whichever the maintainers prefer.

Making it available as an optional installer component (loaded via step "Load 
installer components from installation media") also works, if preferable.

Bug#1119539: chattr not available

[Cyril Brulebois]

Hi,

João  (2025-10-29):
> Package: debian-installer
> Version: 13.1.0
> 
> Hello, I am trying to install Debian with a BTRFS file system (using
> debian-13.1.0-amd64-netinst.iso).
> 
> I need to change subvolume/file system attributes after the file
> system is created but before the base installation begins.
> Unfortunately, chattr and lsattr are not available in the installer.
> Would it be possible to add them to the installer's BusyBox?

The regular ones are interestingly provided by e2fsprogs, which has an
e2fsprogs twin where those could probably be added. Any reasons to
prefer the busybox implementation over e2fsprogs's or the other way
around?


Cheers,
-- 
Cyril Brulebois (k...@debian.org)
D-I release manager -- Release team member -- Freelance Consultant


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Bug#1119539: chattr not available

[João]

Package: debian-installer
Version: 13.1.0

Hello, I am trying to install Debian with a BTRFS file system (using 
debian-13.1.0-amd64-netinst.iso).

I need to change subvolume/file system attributes after the file system is 
created but before the base installation begins. Unfortunately, chattr and 
lsattr are not available in the installer. Would it be possible to add them to 
the installer's BusyBox?

Using mount options is not sufficient for this particular use case. As the 
BTRFS manual points out, subvolume options like nodatacow cannot be set via 
mount:

> Most mount options apply to the whole filesystem and only options in the 
> first mounted subvolume will take effect. This is due to lack of 
> implementation and may change in the future. This means that (for example) 
> you can’t set per-subvolume nodatacow, nodatasum, or compress using mount 
> options. This should eventually be fixed, but it has proved to be difficult 
> to implement correctly within the Linux VFS framework.

Including these two tools would be a significant help for users performing more 
advanced BTRFS installations. I am happy to provide a patch if pointed to the 
right repository.