Encrypted Volume

wh33t · 07-16-2015, 02:52 AM

So I've got a fully encrypted ubuntu-server install. I just did some updates and it's asked me to reboot. Only issue is that I'm hundreds of KM away from it.

Is there a way to reboot it and have it automount the encrypted volume? Can I somehow make the machine execute a script that has the password in it to decrypt and mount the volume and then delete itself?

berndbausch · 07-16-2015, 03:46 AM

Long ago I learned how to do that for my RHCSA certificate, then forgot. A prayer to St Google brought me back on track. You have to do some setup with /etc/crypttab; for example see this somewhat dated howto: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/En...anent_Mounting, in particular the section on permanent mounting.

wh33t · 07-16-2015, 04:18 AM

Thanks dawg.

Unfortunately, I have a fully encrypted disk. The whole machine cannot boot without a password during bootup. That guide appears to be how to mount an encrypted /home or swap.

:S It's not the end of the world if I have to reboot it from the physical machine during bootup it just means I'll be doing it a lot less.

syg00 · 07-16-2015, 05:21 AM

Get the crypt support into the initramfs. I've seen blogs for Arch, but I don't know the hook support for Ubuntu.
I assume you already have grub support enabled.

wh33t · 07-16-2015, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syg00

Get the crypt support into the initramfs. I've seen blogs for Arch, but I don't know the hook support for Ubuntu.
I assume you already have grub support enabled.

I'm a super noob when it comes to Linux. If I google "crypt support initramfs ubuntu" will I be going in the right direction?

syg00 · 07-16-2015, 06:01 AM

Yes, that should find most - I had a quick look and most seemed quite old. Most people seem to follow the Ubuntu standard installs, rather than encrypting root and boot.