FreeBSD packages

[retoon]

Hey all, was planning on working with FreeBSD pretty soon, and had a few questions. Nothing big. Does FreeBSD have iptables, apache? What packages does FreeBSD come with? I have been looking at FreeBSD 5.1 and wish to Deploy that as my Web server, and as a router, although both would be fine with linux, I would like to experiment with the BSDs. As always, any help is greatly appreciated.

[Alex Cavnar, aka alc6379]

FreeBSD has over 9,000 packages to install. It doesn't have iptables, as that's Linux specific, but it does have Apache. Instead of iptables, there's ipfw, which has a similar syntax.

Check it out: http://www.freebsd.org
Everything you'll need to know!

[dysharmonic]

5.1 is still not considered stable according to their site. I've had 5.0 and it was still pretty nasty, not even stable at all :D

[Alex Cavnar, aka alc6379]

Originally posted by Fahrenheit451
5.1 is still not considered stable according to their site. I've had 5.0 and it was still pretty nasty, not even stable at all :D

VERY good point. If you want to run FreeBSD as a webserver, and you are concerned about stability, remember that the 5.x branch is the official testing branch. The FreeBSD group makes no guarantees that even the -RELEASE version of a 5.x system will work or run stably on your system.

If stability is a concern, look into FreeBSD 4.8, or soon, FreeBSD 4.9. The 4.x series is the official -STABLE series, and it's got good hardware support, updated Windowmanagers, and a bunch of other updated packages. It's got the most recent stable version of Apache, I'd imagine. I run FBSD 4.8, and I LOVE it!

[retoon]

Thank you. I assume FreeBSD uses Bash? Is it's /proc directory like the linux /proc directory? If I wanted system information such as cpu speed, would I be able to run in the CLI cat /proc/cpuiofo ? Are there any little tips and tricks you guys could forward my way? If so, thank you all. You've been helpful.

[Alex Cavnar, aka alc6379]

The /proc directory is a little different in FreeBSD. It doesn't seem that it contains the same information as FreeBSD. In fact, the Linux /proc directory may give more information. I'm not a kernel hacker or expert for either platform, so that's just my opinion. I didn't find a /proc/cpuinfo-- I usually just look at dmesg results.

By default, FreeBSD uses csh, but you can install bash, either througha package, or through the ports system. Usually, I install it after my base install is over, as you're given a chance to install optional packages before you boot your new system. Then, I just set it as my default shell.

My tip: Learn how to edit /etc/rc.conf. It controls nearly every process that starts when your machine boots up. The rc.conf file contains all of the variables during boot, and they override the defaults in /etc/defaults/rc.conf.

[retoon]

Well, until I can either download FreeBSD 4.8 or order it online, I am stuck with 5.1. I ordered it before I posted, and feel like a fool now. However, I have it installed, and it seems to be running well. I just have a few quick questions now that Im running it. How do you change the ip address on NICs? I can run sysinstall and go to the configuration for it, and specify the ip address there, but when I go to run ifconfig, it doesn't display an ip address, and I can't ping it from another node on the same network segment. With linux there is a "/etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/" directory that contains ifcfg-eth0 file that you can use to edit the first ethernet interface's ip address, subnet and other. Also, when logged in as root, you can run ifup eth0 or ifdown eth0 to activate or deactivate interfaces. What are the commands under FBSD? I have already ordered three books on BSD, but am not going to have them for two weeks. Any information that you all could provide would be great.

[Alex Cavnar, aka alc6379]

This link in the FreeBSD handbook will tell you how to setup your IP address (http://www.freebsd.org/doc/handbook/config-network-setup.html)

The FreeBSD handbook (http://www.freebsd.org/doc/handbook/index.html) will get you a long way, Grasshopper. Before asking any FreeBSD question, consult this book, as it has rarely not helped me. :)

Hint: You'll notice the FreeBSD handbook will have you setup the IP address by editing /etc/rc.conf. Notice why I gave my tip about that file?

[dysharmonic]

If I read correctly 4.9 would be released on the 29th September. ?

[Alex Cavnar, aka alc6379]

It's planned to be released on the 29th, and the code freeze begins this week, from what I read. It may or may not be ready by Sept 29., but we'll see, right?

[dysharmonic]

I'm abt to order 4.8 from a local company here, but since the release of 4.9 is just around the corner, it wouldnt be that bad to wait a bit I guess :D