Summary from today's meeting

Tracker:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pM3boLIcKj26lq7XbwGMBXW0-F84We3r_Xc3zovHjaQ/edit?usp=sharing

Summary
  - Samba 4.23 is in progress, but blocked by missing dependencies. Greg
will map the effort to coordinate resources, as a separate group had
offered to help.
  - AMD is funding AI/GPU work (ROCm, OpenGPU Compute) on FreeBSD, creating
leverage to push NVIDIA for better support.
  - FreeBSD OCI containers are now official with spec 1.3, enabling
"blessed" containers and a supported Kubernetes control plane.
  - Enterprise docs are a priority. Greg and James will create a new guide
with a clear maintenance schedule to ensure accuracy.

Topics

Samba & Active Directory DNS (ADDNS)

  - Problem: Samba ports are severely outdated (default 4.16, latest
4.2.0), lacking modern features and upstream support.
  - Solution: A Bugzilla PR for Samba 4.23 is in progress, a major step
toward a current, supported version.
  - Blocker: The 4.23 build is blocked by missing dependencies in the ports
tree (e.g., TDB 1.4.14).
  - Action: Greg will map the effort to identify contributors, timelines,
and needs. This is critical because a separate group had offered to help
with Samba, and Greg will coordinate them.
  - AD/DNS: This is primarily a documentation task for integrating FreeBSD
clients with an existing AD server. Greg will lead this effort, which is
tied to the broader enterprise docs initiative.

AI on FreeBSD

  - AMD Partnership:
      - AMD is providing funding for AI/GPU work on FreeBSD (ROCm, OpenGPU
Compute).
      - Carmi is pushing AMD to dual-license its open-source projects
(BSD/GPL) to simplify

Management by API

  - Status: Matias is still actively working on this project. He updated
the tracker saying he is prioritizing some container work, which is a key
input into management by API
  - Action: Connect Karios team, whose API-driven approach is highly
relevant.

Enterprise User Documentation

  - Requirement: Any new enterprise documentation must have a clear
maintenance schedule (e.g., updated with each major release) to ensure
accuracy.
  - Action: Greg will lead the creation of a new, focused enterprise guide
(~30 pages). James, a new FreeBSD user, will contribute a "fresh eyes"
perspective.
  - Format: The guide will include "watch and click" videos to aid
corporate admins.

Containerization & Kubernetes

  - OCI Spec 1.3: Now official, including a FreeBSD component, enabling
compliant FreeBSD containers.
  - "Blessed" Containers:
      - Goal: Create a repository of officially supported FreeBSD
containers.
      - Workstreams:
          - Automation: Matthias is building an automated process.
          - Repository: Dave is creating a project page for the containers.
      - Initial Focus: Start with ~25 containers, beginning with Nginx and
Postgres.
  - Kubernetes: Doug is upstreaming changes to support a Kubernetes control
plane on FreeBSD, with a target completion within months.
  - Netavrk: A Rust-experienced developer is working on this, with Doug
providing support and potential funding available to accelerate the work.
  - Action: Greg will invite Jamie Gritton (jail maintainer) to container
discussions to ensure alignment.

FreeBSD Foundation Roadmap Input

  - Request: Ed (FreeBSD Foundation) requested input from the WG for the
Foundation's 2025 development roadmap.
  - Priority: Virtualization is already a top priority.
  - Suggestion: Carmi proposed approaching Valve (Steam Deck, Proton) to
explore FreeBSD as a platform for their gaming servers and hardware.

Next Steps

  @Carmi: Add the Samba 4.23 Bugzilla link to the tracker.
  - Greg:
      - Map the Samba 4.23 effort to identify contributors and needs.
      - Contact Matias regarding the Management by API project.
      - Invite Jamie Gritton to containerization discussions.
      - Begin drafting the enterprise documentation guide with James.
      - Distill WG priorities for the FreeBSD Foundation's roadmap.
---
Greg Wallace
Director of Partnerships
<http://netactuate.com/>
netactuate.com | anycast.com
Schedule a meeting
<https://go.netactuate.com/widget/bookings/netactuate-partnerships>
M +1 919.247.3165
linkedin.com/in/gtewallace/
FreeBSD Enterprise Working Group Lead
<https://wiki.freebsd.org/EnterpriseWorkingGroup>