rather, back then you didn't need the same kernel to run on a wide
variety of hardware, with all the possible different combinations of
peripherals, requiring all sorts of different drivers.
I think that's the only real reason why initramfs came to existence:
allowing a selection of kernel modules to be loaded at init time,
depending on the hardware at disposal on that machine. Then things went
south, and more recent initramfs have everything and the kitchen sink.
But that's another story.
HND
Enzo Nicosia
--