[tlug] Re: Trying FreeBSD

[Scott Robbins <scottro@example.com>]

On Sat, Jul 13, 2002 at 01:37:08AM +0900, Gavin wrote:
> On Friday 12 July 2002 01:29, Josh Glover wrote:
> > Gavin wrote:
> 
> Thanks!! it helped! My system is now updating.. I think.. Josh, I entered the 
> command cvsup ports-supfile NOT cvsup cvs-supfile.. is there a difference? 
> Here is a <snip> that I got from the BSD site
> 
> 
> You are now ready to try an update. The command line for doing this is quite 
> simple:
>     # cvsup supfile
> 
> 
> 
> Sorry if I sent to much. ooh, back to the question.. what is the difference 
> between the two commands? and su-ing to root..how or what is the command? 
> what group do I need to be in? now in wheel group...what ever group that is
> sorry for so many questions. if you can point me in the direction of the 
> closest URL that can guide me..thanks
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
> Gavin

Hah--asking Josh about FreeBSD?  I think he doesn't believe in it. :)

Seriously, the place to go is www.freebsd.org and then, from the menu on
the left, go to the handbook.

There will be two sample supfiles, which must be edited--ports-supfile
and stable-supfile.  (There's also standard-supfile, which is BSD
current, you probably don't want that yet) 

So, ports are a myriad of 3rd party apps that will run on FreeBSD.  For
the actual updating of the system itself, you want stable-supfile--note
that it must be edited.  

IIRC the handbook gives a reasonably clear description of what to do
once cvsup is completed. One thing though, do read /usr/src/UPDATING
before continuing. (Or is it UPDATES--I always do head -50
/usr/src/UPD*)

You'll want to remove /usr/obj (see the online handbook for a few
specifics) then, the suggested method is to go to single user mode.
shutdown now  

It's always a good idea to back up /etc/ before continuing as buildworld
will change some of the files there. 

You'll get something telling you to hit return for a command prompt
cd /usr/src
make buildworld

The handbook says that you will have better speed doing make -j 4
buildworld, however, recent discussions on FreeBSD-questions indicate
this may be incorrect--FWIW, my SUBJECTIVE impression is that it goes
more quickly without the -j 4

When that's done, (we'll assume you don't have a custom kernel and will
just be using GENERIC
make buildkernel KERNCONF=GENERIC
make install kernel KERNCONF=GENERIC

(If it isn't a custom kernel, you might not need that KERNCONF=GENERIC,
it might simply be the default, but I've never tried)
reboot

Assuming it boots without problem
cd /usr/src
make installworld
mergemaster

Mergemaster will show the differences between old and new files and give
you a choice of keeping the old, putting in the new or merging the two.  

Double check the handbook, that's always the first step. :) If it
disagrees with what I have here (save for the -j 4) follow the handbook.


HTH a bit 
Scott from NY