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

[Jozsef Gyurusi]

** Description changed:

- 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.
+ If live-booting the ubuntu iso with persistence using persistent files, then 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 since the files are found only if they put on a partition using vfat.
  
- 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.
+ To reproduce the issue, put casper-rw (or writable) or home-rw file on a partition using an ext2 filesystem to the root folder.
+ Then boot the ubuntu iso in persistent mode with proper persistent-path parameter like 'persistent-path=/'. 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 ${devname})" in
+              # will cause data loss when a live CD is booted on a system
+              # where filesystems are in use by hibernated operating systems.
+              case "$(get_fstype ${devname})" in
  -                vfat)
  +                vfat|ext2)
-                      :;;
-                  *)
-                      continue;;
- 
+                      :;;
+                  *)
+                      continue;;
  
  The ubuntu release I used: 22.04.01 LTS.

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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:
  If live-booting the ubuntu iso with persistence using persistent files, then 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 since the files are found only if they put on a partition using vfat.

  To reproduce the issue, put casper-rw (or writable) or home-rw file on a partition using an ext2 filesystem to the root folder.
  Then boot the ubuntu iso in persistent mode with proper persistent-path parameter like 'persistent-path=/'. 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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