Encrypted Root Filesystem HOWTO

Christophe Devine

This HOWTO is released under the GNU Free Documentation License Version 1.2.

Revision History
Revision v1.32005-03-13cd
Updated the packages version.
Revision v1.22004-10-20cd
Updated the packages version.
Revision v1.12003-12-01cd
Added support for GRUB.
Revision v1.02003-09-24cd
Initial release, reviewed by LDP.
Revision v0.92003-09-11cd
Updated and converted to DocBook XML.

Abstract

This document explains how to make your personal data secure by encrypting your Linux root filesystem using strong cryptography.


Table of Contents

1. Preparing the system
1.1. Setting up the partition layout
1.2. Required packages
1.3. Installing Linux-2.4.29
1.4. Installing Linux-2.6.10
1.5. Installing util-linux-2.12p
2. Creating the encrypted root filesystem
3. Setting up the boot device
3.1. Creating the ramdisk
3.2. Booting from a CD-ROM
3.3. Booting from a HD partition
4. Final steps
5. About this HOWTO