FreeBSD 10.1 + ZFS

[Olivier Nicole]

>> The bsdinstall "Welcome Menu" offers the choice "Shell"
>> which should offer a functionality similar to the choice
>> "Fixit" in sysinstall. The documentation also suggests
>> that the single user mode, as well as the "Live CD"
>> choice, could be used - at least that's why I understand
>> from the description provided in the handbook.
>> 
>> https://www.freebsd.org/doc/en/books/handbook/bsdinstall-start.html#bsdinstall-choose-mode
>> 
>> https://www.freebsd.org/doc/en/books/handbook/using-sysinstall.html#sysinstall-main3
>
> It's my understanding that "Live CD" is the equivalent of Fixit: a clean,
> single-user environment that can be used for system maintenance. "Shell" on the
> other hand is tied to the installation environment, so that actions taken there
> are recognized by the installer.
>
> In any case, if the OP has some patience and a spare disk, it's less risky
> (though more time-consuming) to install a new system, configure it, then set up
> a new disk with ZFS and transfer the system via rsync. That's what I did anyway,
> since it grants the convenience of a) having a working system in the meantime,
> and b) leaves a spare copy of the system at hand at all times (in adition to the
> requisite backup, that is).

Plus, if you have your data on a disk (disk or partition) different from
your system, you don't even need to rsync; just reboot with the new
system disk and the old data disk.

Olivier
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