FreeBSD newbie Problems

[Holger Kipp]

On Fri, Jul 16, 2004 at 06:14:00PM +0530, ananth_G wrote:

> im new to freeBSD. ive been using linux( mostly redhat and mandrake, and
> slackware) , lately i have moved to unix. 

> what are the startup script files that get executed during boot?
> httpd gets started automatically in the system i work. i tired searching
> /etc/rc.conf , but i couldnt find an entry for httpd. is there any other
> startup script?

As a start, you might like to look at the FreeBSD handbook, available via
web and also in some other formats (eg pdf). Further readings:

-> www.freebsd.org, www.daemonnews.org, www.google.com/bsd

Have a look at:

- /etc/rc which will run all the configuration scripts (/etc/rc.*)
  according to their dependencies.

- programs from userland usually have a start script located at
  /usr/local/etc/rc.d/
  see http://www.FreeBSD.org/doc/en_US.ISO8859-1/books/handbook/configtuning-starting-services.html

- if you install a program from the ports, eg
  # cd /usr/ports/www/apache13-modssl
  # make package
  # make clean
  it will install a start script in /usr/local/etc/rc.d/
  automagically (eg "<startscript.sh>.sample")

- to get all packages in one directory, you should create
  /usr/ports/packages/All/ as root before creating them

- you might consider installing /usr/ports/sysutils/portupgrade

- to cvsup, you need to install cvsup. best for starters is to
  get a precompiled package from ftp.freebsd.org instead of
  compiling it from ports (/usr/ports/net/cvsup-without-gui)
  Precompiled packages can be installed via pkg_add.
  Packages can be deletev dia pkg_delete.
  Installed port can be upgraded via portupgrade.
  More info about installed packages is available via pkg_info.

- read the manpages. they are there for a reason :-)
  
- for upgrading / configuring your kernel/system, read the
  handbook. 
  http://www.FreeBSD.org/doc/en_US.ISO8859-1/books/handbook/synching.html
  I usually go with
  # cd /usr/src
  # make update (if connected to the internet, cvsup installed)
  # make -j8 buildworld
  # make buildkernel KERNCONF=MYCONFIG
    => see /usr/src/sys/i386/conf/GENERIC and LINT
  # make installkernel KERNCONF=MYCONFIG
  # reboot (boot to singleuser!)
  # mergemaster -p
  # make installworld
  # mergemaster
  # reboot

Have I mentioned reading the handbook?

Regards,
Holger Kipp