NixOS: Add documentation on recovering root ZFS with instalation media

[mariaa144]

Provide a section which explains how to use a NixOS USB to boot and correctly mount a root ZFS setup.

I have had a couple of instances where I needed to boot my setup system but I didn't know how to properly mount ZFS and rebuild the environment. The first time I didn't know my root password on the first install. The second time I didn't have networking working on the first install so I couldn't rebuild with the right packages.

[ne9z]

I have added instructions on host name here: https://github.com/ne9z/dotfiles-flake/blob/0dacedd7c3a28f1b3ac12c710767c445432867c1/hosts/exampleHost/changeHostName.txt

Provide a section which explains how to use a NixOS USB to boot and correctly mount a root ZFS setup. I have had a couple of instances where I needed to boot my setup system but I didn't know how to properly mount ZFS and rebuild the environment.

This is not needed, as novice users can just select a earlier working generation at the GRUB menu, provided that the first installation is working. Also, this information essentially identical to the part after disk partitioning. Advanced users should be able to mount the datasets referring to the instructions there.

The first time I didn't know my root password on the first install.

This password is set by yourself during installation.

The second time I didn't have networking working on the first install so I couldn't rebuild with the right packages.

I recommend using NetworkManager, if you are unfamiliar with configuring network with wpa-supplicant or dhclient.

[mariaa144]

I agree it isn't needed but it would be helpful I think. In my case I had no earlier snapshots because it was original install. Perhaps I'm not an advanced user. I ran into trouble trying to figure out how to mount all the partitions correctly so I could rebuild.

For the password, I think I had a special character in my password which broke the script and made my password different than I expected. It happened on an older version of the guide which doesn't have the same issue now.

I'm only using a wire and DNS wasn't working by default without NetworkManager. This surprised me. I also tried to enable systemd-resolved.service but still no DNS. Reinstalled with NetworkManager enable worked for me. I didn't try dhclient.

[ne9z]

Maria ***@***.***> writes:

I agree it isn't needed but it would be helpful I think. In my case I had no earlier snapshots because it was original install. Perhaps I'm not an advanced user. I ran into trouble trying to figure out how to mount all the partitions correctly so I could rebuild.

Making the first installation work is my priority. If the first build does not work, let's fix that. I think, with the instructions, it would take less time to reinstall than troubleshooting a broken installation.

For the password, I think I had a special character in my password which broke the script and made my password different than I expected. It happened on an older version of the guide which doesn't have the same issue now.

That's good. Maybe I should pay extra attention at how bash processes the variables.

I'm only using a wire and DNS wasn't working by default without NetworkManager. This surprised me. I also tried to enable `systemd-resolved.service` but still no DNS.

You still have to configure the systemd-resolved service. Enabling itself won't do much.

[ne9z]

Close this as WONTFIX. Instructions for chroot is not needed. It will only make the guide longer and make it less maintainable. My priority is to make the first installation boot.