johnko · May 27, 2025 18:59 · Feb 22, 2016 · Feb 22, 2016 · Feb 22, 2016 · Feb 22, 2016
diff --git a/instructions.md b/instructions.md
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 # Installing FreeBSD on a USB drive with ZFS using bsdinstall unattended
 
+I typically wrap all these commands into a shell script that I can reuse, but here they are in steps.
+
 **Please read through all the instructions before actually performing the commands, just to avoid any surprises**
 
 Requirements:

diff --git a/instructions.md b/instructions.md
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ Requirements:
   - you are willing to reboot
   - /mnt is empty or not mounted
   - Internet connection (to bsdinstall fetch the FreeBSD release files )
-  - root access
+  - root access (we're performing all these commands as root)
   - /bin/sh
 
 --------
@@ -25,8 +25,6 @@ I will use "YourDriveHere" to note where you should replace with your device (ex
 
 ## 2. Wipe the USB drive partition table
 
-As root:
-
 ```
 dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/YourDriveHere bs=1m count=5
 ```
@@ -35,8 +33,6 @@ dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/YourDriveHere bs=1m count=5
 
 ## 3. Switch to /bin/sh
 
-As root:
-
 ```
 /bin/sh
 ```

diff --git a/instructions.md b/instructions.md
@@ -157,13 +157,15 @@ zfs snap -r $ZFSBOOT_POOL_NAME@new_install
 
 ## 9. Set the DNS in the new system 
 
+(or however you want)
+
 ```
 cat /etc/resolv.conf > /mnt/etc/resolv.conf
 ```
 
 --------
 
-## 10. Try a chroot and freebsd-update
+## 10. Try a chrooted freebsd-update
 
 ```
 chroot /mnt freebsd-update fetch install
@@ -179,7 +181,7 @@ chroot /mnt passwd
 
 --------
 
-## 12. Do anything else on the new install before rebooting
+## 12. Do anything else on the new installation before rebooting
 
 If the network is different on the system you are going to use the USB in, adjust as necessary.
 

diff --git a/instructions.md b/instructions.md
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ If there is a checksum mismatch, you'll have to run the 2 steps in this command
 
 --------
 
-## 6. BSDInstall extract
+## 6. BSDInstall to extract
 
 Now we change the variable so that it extracts the release files only.
 

diff --git a/instructions.md b/instructions.md
@@ -98,6 +98,8 @@ zpool status $ZFSBOOT_POOL_NAME
 
 cat ${BSDINSTALL_TMPBOOT}/loader.conf.* >>/mnt/boot/loader.conf
 
+echo zfs_load=YES >> /mnt/boot/loader.conf
+
 chmod 600 /mnt/boot/loader.conf
 ```
 
@@ -184,6 +186,7 @@ If the network is different on the system you are going to use the USB in, adjus
 **NOTE: The new system files are in /mnt, don't accidentally trash your existing system!!!!!!!!!!!!!**
 
 ```
+echo zfs_enable=YES >> /mnt/etc/rc.conf
 echo sshd_enable=YES >> /mnt/etc/rc.conf
 echo ifconfig_em0="inet 192.168.0.10/24" >> /mnt/etc/rc.conf
 echo hostname=usbzfs >> /mnt/etc/rc.conf

diff --git a/instructions.md b/instructions.md
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ export BSDINSTALL_DISTDIR=/mnt/10.2-RELEASE
 
 ## 4. BSDInstall to create the partition table
 
-This should create the partition table for you on your drive based on the variables we set above.
+This should create the partition table for you on your drive based on the variables we set above. (2g for SWAP, and the rest for ZFS)
 
 ```
 env nonInteractive=0 bsdinstall zfsboot

diff --git a/instructions.md b/instructions.md
@@ -181,6 +181,8 @@ chroot /mnt passwd
 
 If the network is different on the system you are going to use the USB in, adjust as necessary.
 
+**NOTE: The new system files are in /mnt, don't accidentally trash your existing system!!!!!!!!!!!!!**
+
 ```
 echo sshd_enable=YES >> /mnt/etc/rc.conf
 echo ifconfig_em0="inet 192.168.0.10/24" >> /mnt/etc/rc.conf

diff --git a/instructions.md b/instructions.md
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# Installing FreeBSD on a USB drive with ZFS
+# Installing FreeBSD on a USB drive with ZFS using bsdinstall unattended
 
 **Please read through all the instructions before actually performing the commands, just to avoid any surprises**
 

diff --git a/instructions.md b/instructions.md
@@ -138,7 +138,9 @@ bsdinstall distextract
 ## 7. Copy tmp fstab to new fstab
 
 ```
-cat ${BSDINSTALL_TMPETC}/fstab >>/mnt/etc/fstab
+cat ${BSDINSTALL_TMPETC}/fstab >> /mnt/etc/fstab
+
+chmod 600 /mnt/etc/fstab
 ```
 
 --------

diff --git a/instructions.md b/instructions.md
@@ -115,6 +115,8 @@ bsdinstall distfetch
 bsdinstall checksum || echo "Error: checksum mismatch."
 ```
 
+Again, don't be fooled by the nice screen, your prompt may be returned to you at the bottom.
+
 If there is a checksum mismatch, you'll have to run the 2 steps in this command again.
 
 --------
@@ -195,4 +197,4 @@ To reboot use the `reboot` command. **OR** to power off, use the `poweroff` comm
 
 ## 14. Now see if you can boot from this new USB
 
-Plug it into your target system. Power on, and make sure it attempts to boot from the USB device.
+Plug it into your target system. Power on, and make sure it attempts to boot from the USB device.
diff --git a/instructions.md b/instructions.md
@@ -108,6 +108,8 @@ chmod 600 /mnt/boot/loader.conf
 This fetches the FreeBSD release files and checks it against the MANIFEST file that will be downloaded.
 
 ```
+mkdir -p $BSDINSTALL_DISTDIR
+
 bsdinstall distfetch
 
 bsdinstall checksum || echo "Error: checksum mismatch."

diff --git a/instructions.md b/instructions.md
@@ -94,6 +94,8 @@ If it seems to take more than 5 minutes, something is wrong. But don't be fooled
 If complete, BSDInstall should have mounted the new pool at /mnt, so we can create our new system's /mnt/boot/loader.conf
 
 ```
+zpool status $ZFSBOOT_POOL_NAME
+
 cat ${BSDINSTALL_TMPBOOT}/loader.conf.* >>/mnt/boot/loader.conf
 
 chmod 600 /mnt/boot/loader.conf
@@ -140,7 +142,7 @@ cat ${BSDINSTALL_TMPETC}/fstab >>/mnt/etc/fstab
 ## 8. Now would be a good time to perform a ZFS snapshot of your clean system
 
 ```
-zfs snap -r usbzfssystem@new_install
+zfs snap -r $ZFSBOOT_POOL_NAME@new_install
 ```
 
 --------

diff --git a/instructions.md b/instructions.md
@@ -89,9 +89,9 @@ This should create the partition table for you on your drive based on the variab
 env nonInteractive=0 bsdinstall zfsboot
 ```
 
-If it seems to take more than 5 minutes, something is wrong.
+If it seems to take more than 5 minutes, something is wrong. But don't be fooled by the nice screen, your prompt may be returned to you at the bottom.
 
-BSDInstall should have mounted the new pool at /mnt, so we can create our new system's /mnt/boot/loader.conf
+If complete, BSDInstall should have mounted the new pool at /mnt, so we can create our new system's /mnt/boot/loader.conf
 
 ```
 cat ${BSDINSTALL_TMPBOOT}/loader.conf.* >>/mnt/boot/loader.conf

diff --git a/instructions.md b/instructions.md
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ zfs snap -r usbzfssystem@new_install
 ## 9. Set the DNS in the new system 
 
 ```
-cat /etc/resolv.conf >${FZG_MNT}/etc/resolv.conf
+cat /etc/resolv.conf > /mnt/etc/resolv.conf
 ```
 
 --------

diff --git a/instructions.md b/instructions.md
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 # Installing FreeBSD on a USB drive with ZFS
 
+**Please read through all the instructions before actually performing the commands, just to avoid any surprises**
+
 Requirements:
 
 - careful typing and copy/paste skills

diff --git a/instructions.md b/instructions.md
@@ -167,7 +167,9 @@ chroot /mnt passwd
 
 --------
 
-## 12. Do anything else on the new system before rebooting
+## 12. Do anything else on the new install before rebooting
+
+If the network is different on the system you are going to use the USB in, adjust as necessary.
 
 ```
 echo sshd_enable=YES >> /mnt/etc/rc.conf
@@ -177,10 +179,14 @@ echo hostname=usbzfs >> /mnt/etc/rc.conf
 
 --------
 
-## 13. Reboot
+## 13. Reboot or power off
 
-Do NOT export the ZFS pool
+Do NOT export the ZFS pool.
 
-```
-reboot
-```
+To reboot use the `reboot` command. **OR** to power off, use the `poweroff` command.
+
+--------
+
+## 14. Now see if you can boot from this new USB
+
+Plug it into your target system. Power on, and make sure it attempts to boot from the USB device.
diff --git a/instructions.md b/instructions.md
@@ -5,31 +5,182 @@ Requirements:
 - careful typing and copy/paste skills
 - USB drive (8 GB+ ?) **Make sure you don't need anything on that drive**
 - Existing FreeBSD system
+  - you are willing to reboot
   - /mnt is empty or not mounted
   - Internet connection (to bsdinstall fetch the FreeBSD release files )
   - root access
+  - /bin/sh
 
 --------
 
-1. Plug in USB to exsting FreeBSD system.
+## 1. Plug in USB to exsting FreeBSD system.
 
-## Take note which device in /dev/ is your USB drive, you don't want to wipe anything else accidentally!
+### Take note which device in /dev/ is your USB drive, you don't want to wipe anything else accidentally!
 
 I will use "YourDriveHere" to note where you should replace with your device (example: if your drive is da0, replace YourDriveHere with da0 )
 
 --------
 
-2. Wipe the USB drive partition table
+## 2. Wipe the USB drive partition table
+
+As root:
 
 ```
 dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/YourDriveHere bs=1m count=5
 ```
 
 --------
 
-3. Create a GPT partition table
+## 3. Switch to /bin/sh
+
+As root:
+
+```
+/bin/sh
+```
+
+Then setup some variable that bsdinstall will use for unattended setup:
+
+```
+export ZFSBOOT_DISKS=YourDriveHere
+```
+
+Variables for ZFS options
+
+```
+export ZFSBOOT_POOL_NAME=usbzfssystem
+
+export ZFSBOOT_SWAP_SIZE=2g
+
+export ZFSBOOT_SWAP_ENCRYPTION=1
+
+export ZFSBOOT_VDEV_TYPE=stripe
+```
+
+Variables for Temp folders
+
+```
+export BSDINSTALL_TMPBOOT=/tmp/bsdinstall_boot
+
+export BSDINSTALL_TMPETC=/tmp/bsdinstall_etc
+```
+
+Variables for where and what to download
+
+```
+export DISTRIBUTIONS="MANIFEST kernel.txz base.txz lib32.txz doc.txz src.txz"
+
+export BSDINSTALL_DISTSITE_BASE="http://ftp.freebsd.org/pub/FreeBSD/releases"
+
+export BSDINSTALL_DISTSITE="${BSDINSTALL_DISTSITE_BASE}/`uname -m`/`uname -p`/10.2-RELEASE"
+
+export BSDINSTALL_DISTDIR=/mnt/10.2-RELEASE
+```
+
+--------
+
+## 4. BSDInstall to create the partition table
+
+This should create the partition table for you on your drive based on the variables we set above.
+
+```
+env nonInteractive=0 bsdinstall zfsboot
+```
+
+If it seems to take more than 5 minutes, something is wrong.
+
+BSDInstall should have mounted the new pool at /mnt, so we can create our new system's /mnt/boot/loader.conf
+
+```
+cat ${BSDINSTALL_TMPBOOT}/loader.conf.* >>/mnt/boot/loader.conf
+
+chmod 600 /mnt/boot/loader.conf
+```
+
+--------
+
+## 5. BSDInstall to fetch and checksum
+
+This fetches the FreeBSD release files and checks it against the MANIFEST file that will be downloaded.
+
+```
+bsdinstall distfetch
+
+bsdinstall checksum || echo "Error: checksum mismatch."
+```
+
+If there is a checksum mismatch, you'll have to run the 2 steps in this command again.
+
+--------
+
+## 6. BSDInstall extract
+
+Now we change the variable so that it extracts the release files only.
+
+After this command is run, the release files should be extracted to /mnt
+
+```
+export DISTRIBUTIONS="kernel.txz base.txz lib32.txz doc.txz src.txz"
+
+bsdinstall distextract
+```
+
+--------
+
+## 7. Copy tmp fstab to new fstab
+
+```
+cat ${BSDINSTALL_TMPETC}/fstab >>/mnt/etc/fstab
+```
+
+--------
+
+## 8. Now would be a good time to perform a ZFS snapshot of your clean system
+
+```
+zfs snap -r usbzfssystem@new_install
+```
+
+--------
+
+## 9. Set the DNS in the new system 
+
+```
+cat /etc/resolv.conf >${FZG_MNT}/etc/resolv.conf
+```
+
+--------
+
+## 10. Try a chroot and freebsd-update
+
+```
+chroot /mnt freebsd-update fetch install
+```
+
+--------
+
+## 11. Set the root password on the new system
 
 ```
+chroot /mnt passwd
+```
+
+--------
+
+## 12. Do anything else on the new system before rebooting
 
 ```
+echo sshd_enable=YES >> /mnt/etc/rc.conf
+echo ifconfig_em0="inet 192.168.0.10/24" >> /mnt/etc/rc.conf
+echo hostname=usbzfs >> /mnt/etc/rc.conf
+```
+
+--------
 
+## 13. Reboot
+
+Do NOT export the ZFS pool
+
+```
+reboot
+```
diff --git a/instructions.md b/instructions.md
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 Requirements:
 
 - careful typing and copy/paste skills
-- USB drive (8 GB+ ?) ** Make sure you don't need anything on that drive **
+- USB drive (8 GB+ ?) **Make sure you don't need anything on that drive**
 - Existing FreeBSD system
   - /mnt is empty or not mounted
   - Internet connection (to bsdinstall fetch the FreeBSD release files )

diff --git a/instructions.md b/instructions.md
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+# Installing FreeBSD on a USB drive with ZFS
+
+Requirements:
+
+- careful typing and copy/paste skills
+- USB drive (8 GB+ ?) ** Make sure you don't need anything on that drive **
+- Existing FreeBSD system
+  - /mnt is empty or not mounted
+  - Internet connection (to bsdinstall fetch the FreeBSD release files )
+  - root access
+
+--------
+
+1. Plug in USB to exsting FreeBSD system.
+
+## Take note which device in /dev/ is your USB drive, you don't want to wipe anything else accidentally!
+
+I will use "YourDriveHere" to note where you should replace with your device (example: if your drive is da0, replace YourDriveHere with da0 )
+
+--------
+
+2. Wipe the USB drive partition table
+
+```
+dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/YourDriveHere bs=1m count=5
+```
+
+--------
+
+3. Create a GPT partition table
+
+```
+
+```
+