# `systemd-zram-setup@.service` generator for zram devices

This generator provides a simple and fast mechanism to configure swap on `/dev/zram*` devices.

The main use case is create **swap** devices, but devices with a file system can be created too, see below.

### Configuration

A default config file may be located in /usr.
This generator checks the following locations:
* `/run/systemd/zram-generator.conf`
* `/etc/systemd/zram-generator.conf`
* `/usr/local/lib/systemd/zram-generator.conf`
* `/usr/lib/systemd/zram-generator.conf`

… and the first file found in that list wins.

In addition, "drop-ins" will be loaded from `.conf` files in
`/etc/systemd/zram-generator.conf.d/`,
`/usr/lib/systemd/zram-generator.conf.d/`, etc.

The main configuration file is read before any of the drop-ins and has
the lowest precedence; entries in the drop-in files override entries
in the main configuration file.

See systemd.unit(5) for a detailed description of this logic.

See `zram-generator.conf.example` for a list of available settings.

### Swap devices

Create `/etc/systemd/zram-generator.conf`:

```ini
# /etc/systemd/zram-generator.conf
[zram0]
zram-fraction = 0.5
```

A zram device will be created for each section. No actual
configuration is necessary (the default of `zram-fraction=0.5` will be
used unless overriden), but the configuration file with at least one
section must exist.

### Mount points

```ini
# /etc/systemd/zram-generator.conf
[zram1]
mount-point = /var/tmp
```

This will set up a /dev/zram1 with ext2 and generate a mount unit for /var/tmp.

### Rust

The second purpose of this program is to serve as an example of a
systemd generator in rust. Details are still being figured out.

### Installation

It is recommended to use an existing package:

* Fedora: `sudo dnf install zram-generator-defaults` (or `sudo dnf install zram-generator` to install without the default configuration)
* Debian: packages provided by nabijaczleweli, see https://debian.nabijaczleweli.xyz/README.
* Arch: AUR packages https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/zram-generator/ (or
        https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/zram-generator-git/ for the latest git commit)

To install directly from sources, execute `make build && sudo make install`:
* `zram-generator` binary is installed in the systemd system generator directory (usually `/usr/lib/systemd/system-generators/`)
* `zram-generator(8)` and `zram-generator.conf(5)` manpages are installed into `/usr/share/man/manN/`, this requires [`ronn`](https://github.com/apjanke/ronn-ng).
* `units/systemd-zram-setup@.service` is copied into the systemd system unit directory (usually `/usr/lib/systemd/system/`)
* `zram-generator.conf.example` is copied into `/usr/share/doc/zram-generator/`
You need though create your own config file at one of the locations listed above.

### Testing

The tests require either the `zram` module to be loaded, or root to run `modprobe zram`.

Set the `ZRAM_GENERATOR_ROOT` environment variable to use that
instead of `/` as root.

The "{generator}" template in `units/systemd-zram-setup@.service.d/binary-location.conf`
can be substituted for a non-standard location of the binary for testing.

### Authors

Written by Zbigniew Jędrzejewski-Szmek <zbyszek@in.waw.pl>,
Igor Raits <i.gnatenko.brain@gmail.com>, наб <nabijaczleweli@gmail.com>, and others.
See https://github.com/systemd/zram-generator/graphs/contributors for the full list.