[Bug 2074052] [NEW] ext2 is not supported for placing persistent files

[Jozsef Gyurusi]

Public bug reported:

When persistent files are searched in scripts/casper-helpers/find_cow_device, ext2 and other non-journalling filesystems are not supported, except vfat.
This makes impossible to create a persistent file larger than 4GB.

To reproduce the issue, put casper-rw (or writable) or home-rw file on a filesystem using ext2.
Then boot with proper persistent-path parameter like 'persistent-path=/' in case the files are placed to the root directory of the ext2 partition. During boot the persistent files will not be found. However, if the filesystem is vfat, the persistent boot will be successful.

The fix for casper_1.501 to add only the ext2 support:

--- a/scripts/casper-helpers
+++ b/scripts/casper-helpers
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ find_cow_device() {
             # will cause data loss when a live CD is booted on a system
             # where filesystems are in use by hibernated operating systems.
             case "$(get_fstype ${devname})" in
-                vfat)
+                vfat|ext2)
                     :;;
                 *)
                     continue;;


The ubuntu release I used: 22.04.01 LTS.

** Affects: casper (Ubuntu)
     Importance: Undecided
         Status: New

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/2074052

Title:
  ext2 is not supported for placing persistent files

Status in casper package in Ubuntu:
  New

Bug description:
  When persistent files are searched in scripts/casper-helpers/find_cow_device, ext2 and other non-journalling filesystems are not supported, except vfat.
  This makes impossible to create a persistent file larger than 4GB.

  To reproduce the issue, put casper-rw (or writable) or home-rw file on a filesystem using ext2.
  Then boot with proper persistent-path parameter like 'persistent-path=/' in case the files are placed to the root directory of the ext2 partition. During boot the persistent files will not be found. However, if the filesystem is vfat, the persistent boot will be successful.

  The fix for casper_1.501 to add only the ext2 support:

  --- a/scripts/casper-helpers
  +++ b/scripts/casper-helpers
  @@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ find_cow_device() {
               # will cause data loss when a live CD is booted on a system
               # where filesystems are in use by hibernated operating systems.
               case "$(get_fstype ${devname})" in
  -                vfat)
  +                vfat|ext2)
                       :;;
                   *)
                       continue;;

  
  The ubuntu release I used: 22.04.01 LTS.

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