How to Configure Gentoo to Unlock a LUKS Encrypted LVM Root Partition using an External USB Drive at Boot Time

Gentoo Linux can be configured to use a key file stored on an external USB drive to unlock a LUKS encrypted LVM root partition (Logical Volume Manager root partition). This method is not only convenient but also enhances security by separating the key file from the encrypted root partition.

In this article, we will explore the general steps involved in configuring Gentoo to use an external USB drive as a key file to unlock a LUKS encrypted LVM root partition.

Generate a key file on a mounted ext4 or vfat partition of an external USB drive:

Ensure that the partition on the USB drive has a label, as the initramfs will use this label to find where the key file is located.

Afterward, add the key file to the LUKS partition to enable decryption of the partition using that key file:

List the UUID and labels of all available block devices and partitions:

The lsblk command will help you to find:

Add to the boot loader configuration the following initramfs kernel parameters:

Here is an example for Systemd-boot:

To ensure proper setup:

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