Install Ubuntu MATE 16.04 (or later) on ZFS for Linux

Based on the ZFS on Linux Wiki for Ubuntu 16.04 installation on a ZFS based bootable drive, I have written a script that can be run from the Ubuntu MATE Live USB to build a ZFS pool and sets, launch the Ubiquity Installer for a (near) normal installation, then cleans up the installation for full ZFS support.

The script is currently considered an Alpha release because there are scenarios and options not tested (or are unfinished), but it has been confirmed to work with the Ubuntu MATE 16.04.1( amd64) Live USB to build and install on a ZFS mirrored pool.

The script and instructions can be found at https://github.com/xltechasia/mkzfsonlinux

For details on what it is trying to do/automate, refer to the full process the script is based on at


and
https://github.com/zfsonlinux/zfs/wiki/Ubuntu-16.10-Root-on-ZFS

As ZFS on Linux is expected to be fully integrated into a future release of Ubuntu/Ubiquity, there is no plan to grow the script into a full GUI based wrapper for the Ubiquity Installer.

I hope those interested in ZFS on Linux find it of useful. Appreciate any input and reports back on success or failures that will help improve the script and help prioritise future development. Feedback can be provided here or on GitHub.

Onwards & Upwards,
Matthew S.

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