** Description changed:

+ -- initramfs-tools
+ 
+ [Impact]
+ 
+  * linux supports xz compressed linux-firmware which saves disk space.
+ In focal, initramfs-tools only knows how to included uncompressed
+ firmware files (even when kernel supports loading compressed ones).
+ Newer releases of linux-firmware may use compressed firmware files only,
+ in such cases it would be nice for focal's initramfs-tools to support
+ compressed firmware files in case of partial or incomplete upgrades
+ (i.e. linux-firmware force installed or upgraded, without newer
+ initramfs-tools). The proposed changes to initramfs-tools are backwards
+ and forwards compatible, they prefer to include uncompressed firmware
+ files; and if missing, include compressed firmware files in their
+ uncompressed form. Thus maintaining compatibility with any kernels,
+ irrespective of compressed/uncompressed firmware inputs.
+ 
+ [Test Plan]
+ 
+  * Compress all files shipped by linux-firmware with xz
+ 
+  * Rebuild initrd
+ 
+  * Check that all the same firmware files are still included in the
+ initramfs, in their uncompressed form as before
+ 
+ [Where problems could occur]
+ 
+  * This SRU is precautionary to prevent accidental installation of
+ compressed linux-firmware from generating incorrect initramfs. It should
+ be noted that whilst initramfs-tools would create a compatible initramfs
+ with any kernels, pre-v5.3 kernels do not support xz compressed firmware
+ files at runtime. Mixing this new initramfs with compressed firmwares
+ and pre 5.3 kernels may lead to expectations of supporting compressed
+ firmware files with them only working at initrd stage and not at
+ runtime.
+ 
+ [Other Info]
+ Original bug report
+ 
  Some facts:
-  - The linux kernel has supported loading xz compressed firmware since 5.3
-  - The size of /lib/firmware in impish is ~650Mb (and growing)
-  - The compressed size of firmware could be ~230Mb
+  - The linux kernel has supported loading xz compressed firmware since 5.3
+  - The size of /lib/firmware in impish is ~650Mb (and growing)
+  - The compressed size of firmware could be ~230Mb
  
  It would be nice to install compressed firmware to save space.
  
  Here are the plans from the Fedora project:
  https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/CompressKernelFirmware

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1942260

Title:
  compress firmware in /lib/firmware

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