[Bug 1698417] [NEW] The /boot directory is limited size; Use of update-initramfs overfills it; Boot directory full error

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Public bug reported:

Ubuntu 16.04 LTS

The /boot directory is limited to around 250 MB. When update-initramfs
is used to create the ram image I would expect the software to be aware
of the /boot directory size limitations inherent in the design of the
operating system and not try to overfill it.

What happens when update-initramfs is runit tries to produce 40 MB files
for the last ten or fifteen installations when updating linux firmware.
Before it finishes a Directory Full error occurs crashing the
installation. Because it produces such large files it should already
know it is going to produce more files than the directory can contain.

There are many complaints about the poor amount of message information
when the /boot directory gets filled.

** Affects: initramfs-tools (Ubuntu)
     Importance: Undecided
         Status: New


** Tags: bootdirectory linux-firmware overfill update update-initramfs

** Attachment added: "On the left is seen that 40 MB files are being created and I am attempting to keep the amount of files below the fixed directory size. On the right can be seen that the linux firmware update is creating multiple ram images which incidently fills the /boot directory."
   https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1698417/+attachment/4897236/+files/Screenshot%20from%202017-05-25%2011-28-26.png

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1698417

Title:
  The /boot directory is limited size; Use of update-initramfs overfills
  it;  Boot directory full error

Status in initramfs-tools package in Ubuntu:
  New

Bug description:
  Ubuntu 16.04 LTS

  The /boot directory is limited to around 250 MB. When update-initramfs
  is used to create the ram image I would expect the software to be
  aware of the /boot directory size limitations inherent in the design
  of the operating system and not try to overfill it.

  What happens when update-initramfs is runit tries to produce 40 MB
  files for the last ten or fifteen installations when updating linux
  firmware. Before it finishes a Directory Full error occurs crashing
  the installation. Because it produces such large files it should
  already know it is going to produce more files than the directory can
  contain.

  There are many complaints about the poor amount of message information
  when the /boot directory gets filled.

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