Attempting ZFS Only Install of 7.2

[Drew Tomlinson]

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

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