2025-02-08

Three Years of Ephemeral NixOS: My Experience Resetting Root on Every Boot

An exploration of implementing ephemeral root filesystems in NixOS, where only allowlisted files persist across reboots, resulting in cleaner system states and easier maintenance. The approach offers benefits like fearless experimentation and simplified backups, but comes with challenges including installation complexity and potential performance issues.

Original archive.is archive.ph web.archive.org

Log in to get one-click access to archived versions of this article.

read comments on news aggregators:

Related articles

Netboot Windows 11 with iSCSI and iPXE

An in-depth guide demonstrates how to netboot Windows 11 using iSCSI and iPXE, enabling Windows to run from a NAS instead of local storage. The solution allows gaming on Windows while maintaining Linux as the primary OS, providing a practical workaround for AAA games that restrict virtual machine usage.

cp - copying all files of a directory, including hidden ones

An exploration of how 'cp -R src/. dest' command works to copy directory contents, including hidden files, into a destination folder. The analysis delves into POSIX algorithm details, explaining why using src/. leads to copying contents rather than the directory itself.

Main Page

A wiki navigation page provides comprehensive resources for IRIX operating system, including setup guides, software versions, and development tools. Recent update confirms SSL implementation and site functionality improvements as of February 2024.

Hyperspace

Hyperspace, a new Mac app developed to leverage APFS clone files functionality, helps users reclaim disk space by converting duplicate files into clones that share a single data instance. The app represents a significant advancement in file system management, allowing space savings without deleting files, and is now available on the Mac App Store as a free download with paid features.

IPv6 is hard

IPv6 implementation challenges often stem from incomplete network configurations and lack of proper monitoring rather than inherent complexity. Happy Eyeballs protocol allows browsers to automatically choose between IPv4 and IPv6, masking potential connectivity issues. Network administrators should either fully commit to proper IPv6 implementation or avoid partial deployments that can lead to connectivity problems.

hexa- (@hexa@chaos.social)

A discussion about concerns regarding telemetry implementation in NixOS packages and governance issues within the NixOS community, highlighting conflicts between commercial interests and FOSS principles, particularly focusing on controversial decisions around package modifications and community management.

Rubenerd: Boring tech is mature, not old

Mature, predictable technology ('boring tech') offers significant advantages for system administrators by reducing unexpected behaviors and providing well-documented solutions to common problems. NetBSD exemplifies this concept by being mature and reliable, making it valuable for production environments despite not being the most widely adopted solution.

Persistent packages on Steam Deck using Nix

A guide explains how to install and manage persistent packages on Steam Deck using Nix and Home Manager, overcoming SteamOS's immutable filesystem limitations. The solution leverages Nix's declarative package management system and /nix directory preservation during system updates, enabling permanent software installations across system upgrades.