Configuring GRUB

Objectives:
At the end of this episode, I will be able to:
1. Describe the GRUB configuration files and build process.
2. Modify GRUB to support multiple operating systems or kernel versions.
Additional resources used during the episode can be obtained using the download link on the overview
episode.
GRand Unified Bootloader (GRUB)
GRUB 2
Open source boot loader
Features
Multiple architectures
Graphical menus
Rescue mode
Modules
Menu entries
Point to operating systems on disk
Point to kernels
Autoconfiguration
Performed when installing Linux
Can setup dual-boot configurations
Does not run again
Manual configuration
Required any time a new OS is added
Required any time the kernel is updated
Usually handled by the kernel update package
Modifying GRUB Parameters (e.g. timeout)
1. sudoedit /etc/default/grub
2. update-grub2
GRUB Configuration
Ubuntu: /boot/grub/grub.cfg
RHEL: /boot/grub2/grub.cfg
Should not be edited directly
Adding an OS to GRUB
1. Create a new menu entry
sudoedit /etc/grub.d/40_custom

2. Update the Grub bootloader

Ubuntu: update-grub2
RHEL: grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cfg