Attempting ZFS Only Install of 7.2
Jason Garrett
kingedgar at gmail.com
Thu Jul 16 22:01:32 UTC 2009
On Thu, Jul 16, 2009 at 10:01, Drew Tomlinson <drew at mykitchentable.net>wrote:
> Jason Garrett wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Jul 13, 2009 at 18:09, Drew Tomlinson <drew at mykitchentable.net<mailto:
>> drew at mykitchentable.net>> wrote:
>>
>> Jason Garrett wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Jul 13, 2009 at 13:30, Drew Tomlinson
>> <drew at mykitchentable.net <mailto:drew at mykitchentable.net>
>> <mailto:drew at mykitchentable.net
>>
>> <mailto:drew at mykitchentable.net>>> wrote:
>>
>> Jason Garrett wrote:
>>
>> >snip
>>
>> I see you tried the zpool import and export, but did you
>> perform `mkdir /boot/zfs` directly before `zpool export
>> tank
>> && zpool import tank` ?
>>
>> I just have to ask because I did not see that
>> specified, and
>> you mention not being able to find zpool.cache.
>> /boot/zfs is
>> where zpool.cache hides out.
>>
>> Yes I did. However I figured out my problem. I was
>> chrooted into
>> /dist and the zpool.cache was being written to /boot/zfs
>> (as you
>> mention). But because of the chroot, when I checked
>> /boot/zfs, I
>> was *really* checking /dist/boot/zfs. Thus my problem. :)
>>
>> However I'm still having difficulty. I suspect I don't have a
>> /boot/loader that supports zfs filesystems as I just boot
>> to the
>> 'OK" prompt. An 'lsdev' only shows BIOS devices but I've seen
>> posts on the Net that indicate I should have zfs devices listed
>> there too if I have a proper /boot/loader. I've used the
>> one from
>> both 7.2-RELEASE.iso and 8.0-BETA1.iso but no luck. Do you
>> know
>> of any way I can confirm or deny my suspicion?
>>
>>
>>
>> I am in the same spot you are now. I started the process
>> yesterday but had to quit because it got too late. Apparently
>> the few who have written these guides have gotten it to work,
>> but that still eludes me. I'll post back if I get it working
>> or have any new developments.
>>
>>
>> Well you're doing better than me. I've been at this for about 10
>> days off and on. :)
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>>
>> Drew
>>
>>
>> Ok, now a few days later and still frustrated. Basically I narrowed my
>> install down to one drive, divided up with gpt. I used a few sections from
>> http://wiki.freebsd.org/ZFSOnRootWithZFSboot - specifially the section on
>> installing the sources from /dist/8.0-BETA1 as well as rebuilding the loader
>> as this guide says.
>>
>> I actually got it to load the kernel, goes through that ok. As soon as it
>> tries to mount the root filesystem, it hangs with the following messages.
>> (Won't respond to the keyboard anymore)
>>
>> -----------
>>
>> Trying to mount root from zfs:zroot
>> ROOT MOUNT ERROR:
>> If you have invalid mount options, reboot, and first try the following
>> from the loader prompt:
>>
>> set vfs.root.mountfrom.options=rw (did this,no luck.. also
>> switched to an /etc/fstab layout, still no go)
>>
>> and then remove the invalid mount options from /etc/fstab.
>>
>> Loader Variables:
>> vfs.root.mountfrom=zfs:zroot
>> vfs.root.mountfrom.options=rw,noatime (this is from the /etc/fstab
>> attempt)
>>
>> ----------
>>
>> Then it describes some specifications on how to use the <fstype>:<device>.
>>
>> I just don't get how some are getting this working, yet it comes so hard
>> for others.
>>
>> Drew, I hope you have had better luck than I. I may just give up until it
>> is a viable solution.
>>
>
> No, you're still doing better than me. Thanks for the ZFSOnRootWithZFSboot
> <http://wiki.freebsd.org/ZFSOnRootWithZFSboot> link. I have basically
> tried rebuilding the loader as described in that guide but did it with 7.2
> sources. It didn't work.
>
> My next step is to try with the sources on 8.0-BETA1 DVD iso but every time
> I download the image and attempt to burn with Nero on a Windows machine, I
> am notified by Nero of some error in the image and am offered the
> opportunity to fix or ignore. I don't understand the error but will
> probably just "ignore" and see if I get a boot. Nero also thinks it's a CD
> and not DVD. I don't know if that will be an issue or not.
>
> I too have been considering giving up but I'm actually learning so much
> about the boot process and how to install FBSD that I kind of enjoy it.
> I've always relied on sysinstall in the past and then done interesting
> tricks after install to get my filesystems laid out as I want.
>
> Good luck,
>
> Drew
>
Thanks everyone for the awesome input. I will be attempting another install
tonight giving the usb drive thing a shot, as well as seeing if the
partition is active. I'm sure I rebuilt the loader with
"LOADER_ZFS_SUPPORT=YES", as It wouldn't even boot the kernel before I did
this step. Alot of new things to try now, and Drew, I'm with you. I am
actually learing alot about the boot process as well.. it just sucks to
spend 10 hours in one day to have nothing work. :P
Thanks again everyone, I will post back with my results.
>
>
> --
> Be a Great Magician!
> Visit The Alchemist's Warehouse
>
> http://www.alchemistswarehouse.com
>
>
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