freebsd-update - To 'Stable'?

[Polytropon]

On Thu, 22 Nov 2012 16:32:21 +0000, Karl Pielorz wrote:
> I'm looking at switching to 'freebsd-update' - is there an equivalent way 
> to get it to update me to '-STABLE'?

No. The freebsd-update program can only be used to follow
the RELEASE branch, plus the security updates (RELEASE-pN).
Following STABLE branch still requires you to update by
source.



> i.e. If I run this on a 9.0-RELEASE box, I end up with 9.0-RELEASE-p4 (even 
> though uname says '-p3' - it's apparently -p4.

The -pN number will only be changed if the kernel has
gotten a change in this security patch run.



> I'm guessing that's not the same as if I'd csup'd to 9.0-STABLE on that 
> day, and rebuilt the world?

Correct. STABLE is a development branch (even though as the
name suggests, it's stable, not experimental, which would
apply to HEAD or CURRENT).



> Also, does freebsd-update warn you if you need to reboot/rebuild anything 
> (e.g. the kernel / userland or anything?)

You usually _have_ to reboot the system, as you've just
upgraded to a new operating system version. So at least
that would be the safest way. :-)

Rebuilding is only needed if you run a custom kernel.
The userland will be upgraded in a binary way (just as
the GENERIC kernel in case you're using it).




-- 
Polytropon
Magdeburg, Germany
Happy FreeBSD user since 4.0
Andra moi ennepe, Mousa, ...