Alpine Linux in a chroot: Difference between revisions

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This document explains how to set up an Alpine build environment in a chroot under a different Linux distro, such as Arch, Debian, Fedora, Gentoo, or Ubuntu. Once inside the chroot environment, you can build, debug, and run alpine packages. The guide can also be used to install Alpine Linux from a non-Alpine Linux livecd such as Ubuntu or System rescue CD.
Inside the chroot environment, you can build, debug, and run alpine packages or develop things. It's the most knowed way to do so if not wants to trash your main Alpine system.


This example installation of Alpine Linux in a chroot will work with the latest release. But it's also possible to make a chroot with '''[[Edge|edge]]''' or older releases of Alpine Linux to test backports.
This document explains how to set up an [[Alpine_newbie#Developer|Alpine build environment]] in a chroot under a host Linux distro, can also be used to install Alpine Linux from a non-Alpine Linux livecd.


You can also use script [https://github.com/alpinelinux/alpine-chroot-install/ alpine-chroot-install] that simplifies this process to just two commands. This script is useful especially on CI environment (e.g. Travis CI).
== Requirements ==


== Requirements ==
* Working Linux instalation where to perform all the process
For the base Alpine Linux you will only need around 6MB of free space; though to build packages you'll need at least 500 MB.
* Linux kernel 2.6.22, with <code>wget</code> and <code>chroot</code> installed
* target media with at least 100M, 900MB for more complete solution as minimum
* internet connection


== Prerequisites ==
== Prerequisites ==
The variables below:  
The variables below:  


*'''${chroot_dir}''' = Should point to the chroot directory where you  
*'''${chroot_dir}''' = Should point to the chroot directory where you  
*'''${mirror}''' = Should be replaced with [http://nl.alpinelinux.org/alpine/MIRRORS.txt one of the available Alpine Linux mirrors].
*'''${mirror}''' = Should be replaced with [http://nl.alpinelinux.org/alpine/MIRRORS.txt one of the available Alpine Linux mirrors].
*'''${arch}''' =  Should be the cpu architecture like x86 (i386) or amd64(x86_64)..


== Set up APK ==
== Set up APK ==
{{Tip|In the command below, replace x86_64 with x86 if running on a 32 bit installation}}
{{Warning|You will need Kernel version 2.6.22 or later to use apk-tools-static}}


Download the latest apk static package (replace <tt>${version}</tt> with actual version):
Download the latest apk static package (replace <tt>${version}</tt> with actual version):


{{Cmd|wget ${mirror}/latest-stable/main/x86_64/apk-tools-static-${version}.apk}}
{{Cmd|wget ${mirror}/latest-stable/main/${arch}/apk-tools-static-${version}.apk}}


.apk packages are just gzipped tarballs, unpack using:
.apk packages are just gzipped tarballs, unpack using:
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Before made and enter into the chrooted system must be prepared with device nodes and tempfs :
Before made and enter into the chrooted system must be prepared with device nodes and tempfs :


==== 1.A fast way: using bind mount ====
===== Method 1.A fast way: using bind mount =====


{{Warning|Mounts with bind, can mount in read-only the /dev at the alpine chroot so due limited will not touch the  access time of the host system}}
{{Note|Mounts with bind, can mount in read-only the /dev at the alpine chroot so due limited will not touch the  access time of the host system}}


{{Cmd|mount /dev/ /alpine/dev/ --bind
{{Cmd|mount /dev/ /alpine/dev/ --bind
Line 45: Line 45:
If you need SCSI or R/W access only do the first command, mounting with "ro" makes more secure your chroot.
If you need SCSI or R/W access only do the first command, mounting with "ro" makes more secure your chroot.


==== 1.B manual way: creating need nodes ====
===== Method 1.B manual way: creating need nodes =====


{{Tip|Manually creating devices is not needed if you choose to mount /dev of the hosts in the chroot described later.}}
{{Warning|Manually creating devices will only provide those representation that you have created.. for auto availability use bind mounts}}


{{Cmd|mknod -m 666 ${chroot_dir}/dev/full c 1 7
{{Cmd|mknod -m 666 ${chroot_dir}/dev/full c 1 7
Line 73: Line 73:
mknod -m 666 ${chroot_dir}/dev/sdb6 b 8 22}}
mknod -m 666 ${chroot_dir}/dev/sdb6 b 8 22}}


==== 2. Made available proc and sys fs ====
==== Made available proc and sys fs ====


{{Cmd|mount -t proc none ${chroot_dir}/proc
{{Cmd|mount -t proc none ${chroot_dir}/proc
mount -o bind /sys ${chroot_dir}/sys}}
mount -o bind /sys ${chroot_dir}/sys}}


==== 3. Make networking resolution access ====
==== Make networking resolution access ====


A resolv.conf is needed for name resolution:  
A resolv.conf is needed for name resolution:  
Line 86: Line 86:


If you don't want to copy the resolv.conf from the local machine, you can create a new one using OpenDNS servers (or any other):  
If you don't want to copy the resolv.conf from the local machine, you can create a new one using OpenDNS servers (or any other):  
{{Cmd|echo -e 'nameserver 208.67.222.222\nnameserver 2620:0:ccc::2' > ${chroot_dir}/etc/resolv.conf}}
{{Cmd|echo -e 'nameserver 8.8.8.8\nnameserver 2620:0:ccc::2' > ${chroot_dir}/etc/resolv.conf}}


==== 4. prepare the apk sources software ====
==== prepare the apk sources software ====


Set up APK mirror (replace <tt>${branch}</tt> with the latest stable branch name, e.g. v3.3):
Set up APK mirror (replace <tt>${branch}</tt> with the latest stable branch name, e.g. v3.3):
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== Entering your chroot ==
== Entering your chroot ==


At this point, Alpine has been succesfully installed onto the chroot directory.  
{{Warning|At this point, Alpine has been succesfully installed onto the chroot directory '''but still not able to boot it'''. }}


{{Cmd|chroot ${chroot_dir} /bin/sh -l}}
{{Cmd|chroot ${chroot_dir} /bin/bash -l}}
 
==== Perform init process ====
 
Need to add some minimal initscripts to appropriate runlevels:


To make the system actually bootable, we need to add some initscripts to appropriate runlevels:
{{Cmd|rc-update add devfs sysinit
{{Cmd|rc-update add devfs sysinit
rc-update add dmesg sysinit
rc-update add dmesg sysinit
Line 117: Line 120:
rc-update add savecache shutdown}}
rc-update add savecache shutdown}}


Alpine Linux has a great meta-package for building Alpine packages from source available called alpine-sdk. To install, run:
{{Cmd|apk add alpine-sdk}}


If you are using Alpine as a Native build system you will have to make sure that chroot can run chmod. Add following to /etc/sysctl.conf
= Troubleshooting =


kernel.grsecurity.chroot_deny_chmod = 0
== hardened kernels or alpine as chroot host ==


Then run the following command
If you are using Alpine as a Native build system you will have to make sure that chroot can run chmod. Add following to <code>/etc/sysctl.conf</code>


{{Cmd|sysctl -p}}
<code>kernel.grsecurity.chroot_deny_chmod = 0</code>


== Alpine Linux in a chroot on Fedora ==
Then run the following command
 
If you want to generate a chroot on a Fedora based system, you can use this [http://git.alpinelinux.org/cgit/user/fab/scripts/tree/alpine-chroot.sh script].
 
{{Note|Maybe you are able to use this script on other distribution but this is not tested.}}
 
== Alpine Linux aarch64 in a chroot on AWS Linux ==
If you want to generate a aarch64 chroot on most systems you can use this [https://gist.github.com/emolitor/0567e51c0ce04f4b025fc78d2cf0b4f1 script].


{{Note|I'm currently using this to test my aarch64 packages but it should be useful for others.}}
<code>sysctl -p</code>


= Troubleshooting =


== chroot: cannot run command ' ... Exec format error ==
== chroot: cannot run command ' ... Exec format error ==
Line 145: Line 138:
This usually indicates that you booted with one architecture (e.g. armf) and are trying to chroot into another (e.g. x86_64). If you plans to make chroot into another installation must use same arch for both host and hosted chrooted!
This usually indicates that you booted with one architecture (e.g. armf) and are trying to chroot into another (e.g. x86_64). If you plans to make chroot into another installation must use same arch for both host and hosted chrooted!


Note that with one exception you can run 32 bit x86 chroot in x86_64, but not viceversa!
Note that with '''one exception you can run 32 bit x86 chroot in x86_64, but not viceversa'''!


== WARNING: Ignoring APKINDEX.xxxx.tar.gz ==
== WARNING: Ignoring APKINDEX.xxxx.tar.gz ==
Make sure <tt>${chroot_dir}/etc/apk/repositories</tt> is valid and inside the chroot run:
 
{{Cmd|apk update}}
Make sure <code>${chroot_dir}/etc/apk/repositories</code> is valid and inside the chroot run:
 
<code>apk update</code>


= External links =
= External links =


* You can also use script [https://github.com/alpinelinux/alpine-chroot-install/ alpine-chroot-install]
* https://web.archive.org/web/20190808203313/https://isc.sans.edu/forums/diary/Forensic+use+of+mount+bind/22854/
* https://web.archive.org/web/20190808203313/https://isc.sans.edu/forums/diary/Forensic+use+of+mount+bind/22854/
* Alpine Linux in a chroot on Fedora : http://git.alpinelinux.org/cgit/user/fab/scripts/tree/alpine-chroot.sh script
* Alpine Linux aarch64 in a chroot on AWS Linux : https://gist.github.com/emolitor/0567e51c0ce04f4b025fc78d2cf0b4f1 script
[[Category:Installation]]
[[Category:Installation]]

Revision as of 19:38, 15 August 2019

Inside the chroot environment, you can build, debug, and run alpine packages or develop things. It's the most knowed way to do so if not wants to trash your main Alpine system.

This document explains how to set up an Alpine build environment in a chroot under a host Linux distro, can also be used to install Alpine Linux from a non-Alpine Linux livecd.

Requirements

  • Working Linux instalation where to perform all the process
  • Linux kernel 2.6.22, with wget and chroot installed
  • target media with at least 100M, 900MB for more complete solution as minimum
  • internet connection

Prerequisites

The variables below:

  • ${chroot_dir} = Should point to the chroot directory where you
  • ${mirror} = Should be replaced with one of the available Alpine Linux mirrors.
  • ${arch} = Should be the cpu architecture like x86 (i386) or amd64(x86_64)..

Set up APK

Download the latest apk static package (replace ${version} with actual version):

wget ${mirror}/latest-stable/main/${arch}/apk-tools-static-${version}.apk

.apk packages are just gzipped tarballs, unpack using:

tar -xzf apk-tools-static-*.apk

Install the alpine base installation onto the chroot

./sbin/apk.static -X ${mirror}/latest-stable/main -U --allow-untrusted --root ${chroot_dir} --initdb add alpine-base

Set up the chroot

Before made and enter into the chrooted system must be prepared with device nodes and tempfs :

Method 1.A fast way: using bind mount
Note: Mounts with bind, can mount in read-only the /dev at the alpine chroot so due limited will not touch the access time of the host system

mount /dev/ /alpine/dev/ --bind mount -o remount,ro,bind /alpine/dev

If you need SCSI or R/W access only do the first command, mounting with "ro" makes more secure your chroot.

Method 1.B manual way: creating need nodes
Warning: Manually creating devices will only provide those representation that you have created.. for auto availability use bind mounts


mknod -m 666 ${chroot_dir}/dev/full c 1 7 mknod -m 666 ${chroot_dir}/dev/ptmx c 5 2 mknod -m 644 ${chroot_dir}/dev/random c 1 8 mknod -m 644 ${chroot_dir}/dev/urandom c 1 9 mknod -m 666 ${chroot_dir}/dev/zero c 1 5 mknod -m 666 ${chroot_dir}/dev/tty c 5 0

If you need SCSI disc access:

mknod -m 666 ${chroot_dir}/dev/sda b 8 0 mknod -m 666 ${chroot_dir}/dev/sda1 b 8 1 mknod -m 666 ${chroot_dir}/dev/sda2 b 8 2 mknod -m 666 ${chroot_dir}/dev/sda3 b 8 3 mknod -m 666 ${chroot_dir}/dev/sda4 b 8 4 mknod -m 666 ${chroot_dir}/dev/sda5 b 8 5 mknod -m 666 ${chroot_dir}/dev/sda6 b 8 6 mknod -m 666 ${chroot_dir}/dev/sdb b 8 16 mknod -m 666 ${chroot_dir}/dev/sdb1 b 8 17 mknod -m 666 ${chroot_dir}/dev/sdb2 b 8 18 mknod -m 666 ${chroot_dir}/dev/sdb3 b 8 19 mknod -m 666 ${chroot_dir}/dev/sdb4 b 8 20 mknod -m 666 ${chroot_dir}/dev/sdb5 b 8 21 mknod -m 666 ${chroot_dir}/dev/sdb6 b 8 22

Made available proc and sys fs

mount -t proc none ${chroot_dir}/proc mount -o bind /sys ${chroot_dir}/sys

Make networking resolution access

A resolv.conf is needed for name resolution:

cp /etc/resolv.conf ${chroot_dir}/etc/ mkdir -p ${chroot_dir}/root

If you don't want to copy the resolv.conf from the local machine, you can create a new one using OpenDNS servers (or any other):

echo -e 'nameserver 8.8.8.8\nnameserver 2620:0:ccc::2' > ${chroot_dir}/etc/resolv.conf

prepare the apk sources software

Set up APK mirror (replace ${branch} with the latest stable branch name, e.g. v3.3):

mkdir -p ${chroot_dir}/etc/apk echo "${mirror}/${branch}/main" > ${chroot_dir}/etc/apk/repositories

Entering your chroot

Warning: At this point, Alpine has been succesfully installed onto the chroot directory but still not able to boot it.


chroot ${chroot_dir} /bin/bash -l

Perform init process

Need to add some minimal initscripts to appropriate runlevels:

rc-update add devfs sysinit rc-update add dmesg sysinit rc-update add mdev sysinit rc-update add hwclock boot rc-update add modules boot rc-update add sysctl boot rc-update add hostname boot rc-update add bootmisc boot rc-update add syslog boot rc-update add mount-ro shutdown rc-update add killprocs shutdown rc-update add savecache shutdown


Troubleshooting

hardened kernels or alpine as chroot host

If you are using Alpine as a Native build system you will have to make sure that chroot can run chmod. Add following to /etc/sysctl.conf

kernel.grsecurity.chroot_deny_chmod = 0

Then run the following command

sysctl -p


chroot: cannot run command ' ... Exec format error

This usually indicates that you booted with one architecture (e.g. armf) and are trying to chroot into another (e.g. x86_64). If you plans to make chroot into another installation must use same arch for both host and hosted chrooted!

Note that with one exception you can run 32 bit x86 chroot in x86_64, but not viceversa!

WARNING: Ignoring APKINDEX.xxxx.tar.gz

Make sure ${chroot_dir}/etc/apk/repositories is valid and inside the chroot run:

apk update

External links