Installing FreeBSD 5.4 from CD
Getting a basic install happening.. (FreeBSD 5.4)
Posted 02.04.2006 | Updated 23.05.2006 | Contributed by Andy Mallett


5.4 has support for the USB keyboard and mouse and the Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet network card found on the Acer Veriton 5700GX workstations. Previous versions of FreeBSD do not have this USB keyboard support out of the box.

Insert installation CD and reboot computer, ensuring it will boot to the CD before the hard disk..

Option 7. Boot FreeBSD with USB Keyboard

Standard install

Read message on partitioning

FDISK Screen (Visit #1):
Use Z to toggle to MB view
Press A to use the entire disk (watch out if you already have data on the disk)
Then Q for quit


Boot Manager Screen:
Standard - Install a standard MBR

OK to message

FDISK Screen (Visit #2):
C for create
1024M = for 1GB of RAM
File System or Swap Partition -> select swap
C for create - use the rest of the disk (Enter for OK)
File System or Swap Partition -> select FILE SYSTEM
Enter Mount Point = Type /
Q for Quit
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NOTE UNIX uses a swap PARTITION rather than a swap file like Windows

/ (root dir) is equivalent to the C: partition under Windows C:\

Make a note of what Unix calls your system partition, i.e. ad0s1a
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Choose Distributions:
Down arrow to []User and press spacebar to select

- jumps to Ports Collection -> say NO
- back to Distribtions Screen -> note [x] User is now selected, arrow to EXIT THIS MENU

Enter to Install from CD - OK to confirm - installs from the CD (pray it ain't stuffed)

Congratulations!

Configure Ethernet Devices:
- select YES
List of network devices - note the name given to your NIC (top line)
Note the name Unix gives to your nic - > bge0 -> OK to select
NO to IPv6
YES to DHCP -> requests IP information from DHCP Server
Configure relevand TCP/IP info -> tab to OK

Network Gateway - > NO
INETD -> NO
SSH -> YES
Anonymous FTP -> NO
NFS Server -> NO
NFS Client -> NO

Customize Console Settings -> YES
Arrow down to 5. Saver -> enter to select
Select your desired screensaver
also select desited timeout in seconds (default is 300)
5. To exit Menu

Set Machine's Time Zone:
Yes to select
Say NO 'cos you don't know what the hell UTC means..
Select Australia | Tasmania
Yes to EST

No to Linux Binary Compatibility
No to PS/2 mouse
No to FreeBSD Package and distracting games

YES to Initial User Account
Arrow down to USER -> ENTER to select

Complete fields for LOGIN ID, PASSWORD and FULL NAME -> tab to OK

EXIT to making any more users

System Manager's Password -> type in a strong password for the root user, twice

NO to General Configuration Visit

Tab to EXIT INSTALL -> YES I'm sure

Remove CD and system automatically reboots

Some Post Installation Tasks

Login as a user and perform an ifconfig to check your ip address
Ping another system such as the default gateway
Reply back = OK hose (pronounced "hohsay"), if not, check your settings

Network settings are stored in /etc/rc.conf

Note some authorities recommend logging in as a normal user (non privileged) as you're less likely to stuff up something important.

However, because many of your administrative tasks will require root privileges, Andy recommends logging in as the root user and being very careful.