Installing Linux, I see no option to create a /boot partition. Is it still needed?
Should I create a "Reserved BIOS boot area"?
In the default partitioning scheme, none of these are present.
Note: I am installing Linux without Systemd.
Devuan 2/Debian 9
Separate /boot partition isn't mandatory, /boot can be stored on root partition just as well. If you're not going to use full disk encryption, then you probably don't need separate /boot.
Generally, a separate /boot partition is needed if the bootloader would otherwise be unable to access your kernel file (and/or the bootloader's own additional files). For example:
When the rootfs uses a filesystem type not understood by the bootloader (such as ZFS, XFS, multi-device btrfs…) or just not supported reliably enough.
When the rootfs is encrypted using a method not understood by the bootloader. (E.g. GRUB can unlock LUKS volumes, but syslinux cannot.)
If your distribution's installer does not offer /boot by default, then it has chosen a combination that already works without it.
Your init system is not relevant as it only starts much later in the boot process.
Additionally, some firmware types require a firmware boot partition (e.g. UEFI needs an "EFI system partition") in which the bootloader resides. If your firmware requires one, then a well-written OS installer will always create it.
Logically this partition is separate from Linux /boot, but it's fine to use the same partition for both jobs (may even make things easier). Otherwise, /efi or /boot/efi are also common mount locations.
Finally, the "Reserved BIOS boot area" partition is needed for just one specific case: using the GRUB 2 bootloader on a BIOS system, but on a GPT-partitioned disk.
It is generally not needed for any other combination, and never needed on UEFI (as the EFI System Partition already performs the same task).
This partition is completely separate from /boot and does not contain anything mountable.
