Why Embedded Linux Images Split boot, rootfs, and data
An embedded Linux device that can boot is not necessarily ready for product deployment.
During development, putting the bootloader, kernel, dtb, rootfs, application, and data together may work. The problems appear during updates, factory reset, abnormal power loss, partition damage, and field repair:
- a rootfs update overwrites user data
- the device tree changes but the bootloader still loads the old dtb
- a full data partition breaks system services
- rootfs is damaged and there is no recovery path
- power loss during OTA leaves no bootable system
- factory reset removes too much or too little
The point of partition layout is not simply “more partitions”. It separates the boot chain from data lifetimes:
Read More