Many people responded to the call for OpenBSD and OpenSSH donations by purchasing an OpenBSD CD set. Those CDs are beginning to arrive in the mail, and when they do, how are you going to use them? If you’re a software enthusiast who has never used OpenBSD before, you might enjoy installing it by yourself and figuring it out as you go. If, however, you’re looking for a more practical approach to using OpenBSD as a desktop or server operating system, here’s a guide to get you started.
OpenBSD Tips and Tricks
About The Author
Eugenia Loli
Ex-programmer, ex-editor in chief at OSNews.com, now a visual artist/filmmaker.
Follow me on Twitter @EugeniaLoli
there was already a good installation manual provided with OpenBSD CDs (plus nice stickers as well).
Anyway this article provides good tips such as recompiling the kernel, java support…
Forgive me if I’m wrong since the last OpenBSD CD I purchased was for release 3.3 (but I still buy T-shirt and posters !)
I hope this kind of article (a good one BTW) will help the *BSD OSes to be more popular among home/corporate users because they really deserve it.
there was already a good installation manual provided with OpenBSD CDs
I thought that too. These “installation manual” is actually a few notes that are definately not enough for the new user. And the seasoned user doesn’t need those notes. Nonesense.
I set up my first OpenBSD server with these few notes and it worked fine… BTW I was completely new to OpenBSD
Did you have previous experience with *nix? Did you have previous experience working with web servers? I am pretty sure you knew how to use BASH, let alone knowing what a CLI is…
While I appreciate OpenBSD as a secure platform, I am pretty sure that ease of use and intuitiveness aren’t one of OpenBSD features.
Gstepper said “good tips such as recompiling the kernel”
What the author of this article said is true; you will “probably will not ever need to” recompile your kernel, but furthermore, it’s strongly recommended that you don’t. See http://openbsd.org/faq/faq5.html#Why
“Gstepper said “good tips such as recompiling the kernel”
What the author of this article said is true; you will “probably will not ever need to” recompile your kernel, but furthermore, it’s strongly recommended that you don’t. See http://openbsd.org/faq/faq5.html#Why“
Did I say/pretend/mean recompiling the kernel was something one must do ???
Still I think it’s interesting hence the “good tips” words…
Another example, is I don’t use Java but the ways I can install it on OpenBSD are interesting.
I was not disagreeing at all friend, just adding a point that I found important.
Java support:
That’s the way you “used” to have to install Java on FreeBSD too. I remember cursing loudly about all the websites I had to visit, and downloads I had to make, in order to get the JDK installed (I program in Java, among other languages).
It’s not that I have to support Java on the BSD’s, but I like to test my code on them, along with Windows, Linux and OSX.
The official documentation at
http://www.openbsd.org/faq/index.html
contains detailed information on OpenBSD. It is available on line and as a PDF. Chapter 4, Installation Guide, steps you through the installation process.
I bought version 3.7. It was a real pain to install. It took an afternoon with the “Absolute OpenBSD” book.
Apart from die-hard hackers, I don’t know who would prefer it to any other Unix-like OS.
Too hard to install, to use. The community don’t help that much either, always in a bad mood.
“Apart from die-hard hackers, I don’t know who would prefer it to any other Unix-like OS.”
It didn’t take me too long to figure out how to get it installed, and I’m certainly no genius, nor an I a die hard hacker, and I find it to be a very nice OS.
The system is well documented, small yet has damed near every feature I would want. Not only do the developers audit the thing constantly, but they’ve also included by default more exploit mitigation technologies than any other vendor.
The set of packages while smaller than those of Debian and FreeBSD contains a few thousand more applications than I would ever have a need for, and of course basic things like GNOME and KDE are available. Installing media players does not require me to jump though hoops to be able to play whatever it is I encounter on the net.
As all supported functionality is built right in (all supported drivers etc.), I don’t need to screw around with kernel modules to get basic things like sound working; install, reboot and away I go. Because the OpenBSD kernel (like NetBSD’s) is designed so as to reduce needless duplication of functionality, including all supported drivers does not leave you with a bloated monster of a kernel.
The only things that OpenBSD currently lacks that I personally would like are 3D drivers (not easy, as the devs don’t include binary only code or sign NDAs, and seem to be the only OS devs that don’t deal with that garbage), and a better threading system (which they already have nearly complete).
There are reasons to dislike OpenBSD for sure, but I’ve found *many* more positive things than negative.
Edited 2006-04-25 13:08
I really do not get peoples’ problems with the openbsd installer; it’s the most to-the-point and no-nonsense installer I’ve encountered – and I’ve installed about every operating system that runs on x86 for the last 20 years.
What more do you need to install an operating system?
If you can’t figure out these basic questions the installer asks you, you still have…
-the cd’s with the install sets and a minimal explanation of the installation routine for every architecture;
-the leaflet which came with your cd’s, which actually walks you thru the entire install while giving hints on sane defaults;
-the excellent FAQs and manual pages online at the website;
-the entire cvs tree available thru the website, which includes the build-infrastructure that was used to make your installation cd’s.
Do you really prefer handholding by some old obscure how-to, written by an anonymous 12year old, without any quality control or proofreading? Do you really need a forum to go and ask help on this? You’re installing an operating system – this shouldn’t take an afternoon; the installer makes it possible to do this interactively in about 10 minutes. If you have that much problems installing an operating system, please don’t dabble in system administration.
And yes, the community on their mailinglists tend to get in a grumpy mood, when for the N-th time someone asks a question that’s already perfectly documented.
Why do they have to be grumpy about it? Some people just don’t know, or are frazzled and managed to miss that part of the documentation.
I’ve never installed OpenBSD because I’ve heard their community is a bunch of snobs about questions like these. I tend to ask a lot of questions like these even after searching through documentation. It isn’t always clear to me how to use the given system to accomplish what I’m trying to do, so sometimes I don’t look in the right places. And very often, my brain gets fried after spending 14 hours on my computer, trying to wrestle with a laundry list of things throughout the day, and the last thing I’m going to put up with is snottiness from some arrogant elitist.
Sure, as experts, they have a license to be arrogant, but that doesn’t gain them mindshare. Too bad, because OpenBSD would be the perfect example of the “many eyes” theory of security if they had more eyes.
“and the last thing I’m going to put up with is snottiness from some arrogant elitist.”
“Sure, as experts, they have a license to be arrogant, but that doesn’t gain them mindshare. Too bad, because OpenBSD would be the perfect example of the “many eyes” theory of security if they had more eyes.”
***************************************************
Hear, hear!
I never cared about Linux (specifically Debian) for the same reasons as above, until i read an article by Clinton De Young, explaining how to do it. I quit Windows and never looked back, that’s all I needed.
As for the pseudo openbsd geeks, i ain’t got time for them, they can keep it. Somebody may write an installation guide in English for it, and then many users will install it. This already has hapenned with FreeBSD, and it was fun to install it following the instructions from a 19 yr-old freshman posted in the internet, but in the end, i dumped it because Debian fits my needs better.
My 2 cents,
Edited 2006-04-25 16:07
Why do they have to be grumpy about it? Some people just don’t know, or are frazzled and managed to miss that part of the documentation.
Why should the devs answer lame newbie setup questions, which mostly come from users who switch operating systems more often than they switch socks? The OpenBSD community is small. They don’t have time for that crap. They aren’t focused on making the uber Microsoft desktop killer/take over the world OS. Therefore they are not interested in helping every newbie switch to OpenBSD.
This isn’t about snobbery, it’s just that this community is not an evangelical one. It’s an opinionated OS. Love it or leave it.
First off, it’s dangerous to assume that questions you know the answer to are newbie questions. I know what I’m doing well over half the time, but I run in to little gotcha-ish things every day. I’m sure you do too. Not just in computers, but in driving, cooking, sleeping in pajamas that bunch up funny…
Second, I’m not saying they need to be inviting. They don’t. But if they’re not going to be inviting, they’re not going to come off very well, resulting in lower mindshare, fewer eyes, fewer hands, and an overall lesser public opinion.
How many people in the community at large consider OpenBSD to be a shining example of how to run a community? Surprisingly few, considering it’s the most secure free unix out there.
But if they’re not going to be inviting, they’re not going to come off very well, resulting in lower mindshare, fewer eyes, fewer hands, and an overall lesser public opinion.
Those that are unwilling to read the simple, concise documentation are unlikely to be willing to read the code or contribute in any meaningful fashion.
Like I said before, I read documentation, search the web, read man pages, and try stuff for myself before ever asking a question, and some people *still* give me lip for not RTFM when I was just too frazzled or trying the wrong thing to find the answer for myself. If I ask such a question, and people give me guff, are they helping themselves?
I’m still asking dumb questions about a lot of things while at the same time helping newcomers in many forums. Some of those newcomers go on to help others. The argument that people need to stop asking questions is detestable, in my opinion. Within their rights, but laughably arrogant.
I’m not saying they need to be inviting. They don’t. But if they’re not going to be inviting, they’re not going to come off very well, resulting in lower mindshare, fewer eyes, fewer hands, and an overall lesser public opinion.
I don’t think that you entirely understood my post. The OpenBSD community doesn’t crave “mindshare”. The community doesn’t need 2 million users to be successful. In fact, the project is already a smashing success. OpenSSH (or a varient of) is used on nearly every Unix system in existance. The net is a safer place thanks to the project.
This whole idea that having more users using a desktop OS will lend “more eyes to the code” is nonsense. It’s the highly technical users who need no hand holding who are able to detect, debug, and fix holes.
The OpenBSD crew doesn’t care if there are 200, 20000 or 2000000 users using the OS. The code is out there. The documentation is out there. There is no warrentee. There is no guarentee of satisfaction. There are no refunds. A certain type of user will love it, others will hate it. And that’s ok.
I’m not talking about a desktop OS, I’m talking about OpenBSD. I’m a highly-technical-person-in-training, but I wont contribute to a group of arrogant people’s project. If they were more popular, they wouldn’t have to go begging for support or OpenSSH development; since their popularity is lower, so is their relevance, ubiquity of one of their products notwithstanding.
My point is, it’s hard to like mean people, and it’s hard to keep people in mind if you don’t like them.
If they were more popular, they wouldn’t have to go begging for support or OpenSSH development
They aren’t begging for money due to being “unpopular”. The cause of the financial woes is due to their “business model” (CD sales) being outdated due to the propogation of high speed internet connections.
It is now quick and easy to simply download the OS a whip up an ISO. This was not true in the past. Also, their ‘corporate’ funding (DARPA) was cut off whcih contributed to the problem as well.
not to mention that tons (I mean tons!) of big companies are making a filty fortune implementing OpenSSH without giving OpenBSD a nickle.
Now, I know you can turn around and say, “well, thats what they get for releasing their stuff for free”. But the bottom line is, if no money goes to OpenBSD, OpenBSD folds, and if OpenBSD folds, OpenSSH folds. And if OpenSSH folds, who is going to pick it up? And whoever does pick it up, will they do as good a job with it as OpenBSD have and keep it as secure and stable a OOS project as it has been thus far and thats why everyone is using it.
“A certain type of user will love it, others will hate it.”
Any business that takes this attitude will fail. This is precisely why OBSD is still niche. They have a better product than Linux, yet is still lacking in mindshare. I blame the hostile OBSD community for this.
This is precisely why OBSD is still niche. They have a better product than Linux, yet is still lacking in mindshare.
This isn’t a contest. The OpenBSD userbase isn’t in this for world domination. OpenBSD users just want a solid, secure BSD based OS. They aren’t trying to replace Linux.
Why does everyone assume this is the case?
“This isn’t a contest.”
Sure it is. If Theo and company can’t get people to check out his product and pay for his CD’s, how is he going to pay the bills? Wait for some altrustic sucker with deep pockets? OpenBSD competes with other Unix like O/S’ whether you like to admit it or not. To court people you can’t go dissing people like OBSD community does whenever a novice asks what is considered a “stupid” question.
“The OpenBSD userbase isn’t in this for world domination.”
Of course it is not. I never suggested such. The problem is that unless the community takes the proper steps to get mindshare, they are doomed to niche. No big audience and hardware vendors are not going to take you seriously. No hardware support, and who the hell is going to actually use your “concept os”?
Edited 2006-04-26 01:06
Sure it is. If Theo and company can’t get people to check out his product and pay for his CD’s, how is he going to pay the bills?
The money issue stems from the fact that:
a) widespread adoption of high speed internet has reduced the need for CDs.
b) DARPA funding was cut off.
Alternative funding methods will have to be tried in order to offset these losses. With what, I’m not certain.
the reasons why Linux is more popular than the BSD’s have nothing to do with the communities that develop them and are buring in Unix history.
You need to read less comics and read more “real” books.
And beyond that they are doing you a favor…solving your own problems is a skill that needs honed like anything else.
The developers write good documentation and they expect (rightfully so) others to read it and help themselves. I am fairly new to OpenBSD myself and aftert spending some time reading the FAQ the installation went smoothly. I was even able to set up an OpenBSD box as a firewall that now filters all net traffic to my network. All this is documented very well in the FAQ and the man pages.
I personally would rather the devs spend their time making the OS better rather than answereing questions that have been answered countless times in the mailing lists archives, FAQ and man pages. Perhaps this is why such tools as OpenSSH are of such high quality.
I guess, to distill my point, a negative attitude is never becoming of a successful lifestyle. Bad karma.
Do you really prefer handholding by some old obscure how-to, written by an anonymous 12year old, without any quality control or proofreading? Do you really need a forum to go and ask help on this? You’re installing an operating system – this shouldn’t take an afternoon; the installer makes it possible to do this interactively in about 10 minutes. If you have that much problems installing an operating system, please don’t dabble in system administration.
I wouldn’t have expected more from an OpenBSD pedant. For those who want more, please have a look at the OpenBSD channel on Usenet, or have a look at the mailing lists!
OpenBSD: Should be called CloseMindedBSD!
@Joe User
IMO the worst part of installing OpenBSD is the fdisk and disklabel steps.
But OpenBSD users have access to very good docs. Two thumbs up!
“Apart from die-hard hackers, I don’t know who would prefer it to any other Unix-like OS.”
Among others people like me who value a solid simple system that gets the job done without buzzwords and bloat.
“Too hard to install, to use. The community don’t help that much either, always in a bad mood.”
Funny, I’ve always found it to be exactly the opposite.
The installer simply rocks. It takes 5, maybe 10, minutes to go thru the question steps and after that you go do something else (exact time available depending on installation media) while the systems installs, you come back and answer handfull more questions, reboot and there it is. It is simple and effective.
I’ve never understood peoples beef with the “community” either. Unless you behave like complete moron and dont do your research you get good answers.
And yes, I’ve had my head bitten off by Theo on occasion but you know what? I’m adult enough to not let this taint my view of his and the other developers skills or the quality of the OS itself.
Edited 2006-04-25 14:06
“Among others people like me”
He already mentionned Die-Hard hackers …
“who value a solid simple system”
OpenBSD is neither solid or a simple system.
“that gets the job done”
What’s that job that specifically get better served by OpenBSd ? Nothing at all ?
“without buzzwords and bloat.”
Now , now , you havent arrived in 2006 and figured out that Marketing is a powerfull tool , as for bloat , please point out the OS and code you specifically call bloat and let see your better solution …
“Funny, I’ve always found it to be exactly the opposite. ”
Thats why your a Die-Hard hackers …
“The installer simply rocks”
No , but that because I tested almost every installer under the sun. I got materials to compare it to. You dont.
“It takes 5, maybe 10, minutes to go thru the question steps and after that you go do something else”
If your a die hard hacker it take 5 to 10 minute , and your not even sure …
“you come back and answer handfull more questions,”
More question to answer ? Wow only a die hard hacker would call that easy …
“reboot and there it is. It is simple and effective. ”
You know whats simple and effective ? No you obviously dont , let me tell you clearly : I go to best buy pick up a computer pay for it go home connect it to the power socket and BOOM , its ready to use , that is easy.
“I’ve never understood peoples beef with the “community” either. ”
First , what community ? Also people dont like to be insulted or told to RTFM.
“Unless you behave like complete moron and dont do your research you get good answers. ”
No , the Moron is you , when people ask question its because there stuck and ask for help.
“And yes, I’ve had … of the OS itself. ”
You have no head , he must have been chewing air , you dont have an accurate view , your not an adult either , adult will say : hey I will show you how to fix your problem and teach you how to learn to answer your own question for X fee.
Adult also use there real name.
OpenBSD : it as no Buzzword and no Bloat , in other words it suck.
Someone forgot to teach you that its not always the best product that win.
What’s that job that specifically get better served by OpenBSd ? Nothing at all ?
OpenBSD’s strength is in routing, packet filtering, IDS stuff, etc. CARP + pfsync is pretty much unbeatable.
It is servicable as a minimalist desktop system, but generally most users would only do that in order to have a dedicated OBSD dev system.
Of course its common knowledge that you cannot appriciate any OS that’s not GNU …. so debating is likely pointless.
“OpenBSD’s strength is in routing, packet filtering, IDS stuff, etc. CARP + pfsync is pretty much unbeatable.”
But are they the best solution for the job ? Who beat them ? Why do they beat them ?
How come when I go to http://www.openbsd.org/ its not mentionned : Best solution for packet filtering and why …
“It is servicable as a minimalist desktop system, but generally most users would only do that in order to have a dedicated OBSD dev system. ”
Why it dont ship on any desktop sold in stores across the globe ?
“Of course its common knowledge that you cannot appriciate any OS that’s not GNU ”
Well that explain a lot if you listen to what moron say … GNU btw = Free Unix system.
“So debating is likely pointless.”
Debating GNU , yes , debating why nobody pick and think of OpenBSD and as no company worth 1 million or one billion supporting it … Nah that would not be interesting to you …
Haha
You are a funny troll. I’m bored so I’ll reply anyways.
How come when I go to http://www.openbsd.org/ its not mentionned : Best solution for packet filtering and why …
I mentioned it’s strength. It’s still a general OS. I never said that it was “the best”. “The best ” of anything is very subjective.
“It is servicable as a minimalist desktop system, but generally most users would only do that in order to have a dedicated OBSD dev system. “
Why it dont ship on any desktop sold in stores across the globe ?
I called it is a “minimalist desktop system that (for the most part) only OBSD developers would want to use. It’s not consumer grade. Nor is it meant to be.
Well that explain a lot if you listen to what moron say … GNU btw = Free Unix system.
I was pointing out your obvious bias towards Linux …
Debating GNU , yes , debating why nobody pick and think of OpenBSD and as no company worth 1 million or one billion supporting it … Nah that would not be interesting to you .
Who cares who supports it? Microsoft is worth 280 billion, but I bet your don’t like windows much, do you?
“you are a funny troll.”
Sadly a word that as lost all meaning …
“I mentioned it’s strength.”
Or you mentionned what you perceived as its strenght.
“It’s still a general OS.”
No , and thats partially part of the problem.
” never said that it was “the best”. “The best ” of anything is very subjective. ”
So you just mentionned something to shut me up , ok so its not good at that either , ok …
“I called it is a … grade. Nor is it meant to be. ”
There’s one problem …
“I was pointing out your obvious bias towards Linux …”
No , you where following , and listening to the sheep who dont know what there talking about …
“Who cares who supports it?”
The developper , cant really support a platform unless your rich.
“Microsoft is worth 280 billion”
I prefer the term currently valued at.
“but I bet your don’t like windows much”
How much ? Its not windows I have a problem with , its just too proprietary for my real personnal use and its not Open Source nor is it free software. But where talking OpenBSd lets stay on subject shall we.
“do you?”
No , Windows made it possible for billion to have a cheap operating system and computer in there house today. I dont hate them , I disagree with there method and advocate that GNU/Linux is better on principle and for humanity and evolution , because contrary to the moron belief I aint biased , I just happen to know the subject perfectly , You know the answer that Microsoft is currently valued at 280 billion , but do you know why ? Because for two decade they where the only one to do the job that everyone else refused to do.
This thread really is pointless, so why don’t you go back to playing with Debian (or whatever) and I’ll go back to playing with OpenBSD.
Deal?
“This thread really is pointless”
No , but that you dont get it is normal.
“so why don’t you go back to playing with Debian (or whatever) and I’ll go back to playing with OpenBSD. ”
Unlike for you its not a hobby for me.
“Deal?”
Here is my counter offer : when you will have built a 25 million USD company that support directly OpenBSD , you will be allowed to talk about it and say you have done your job and be able to tell me to shut up.
Deal ?
No , but that you dont get it is normal.
Get what?
Here is my counter offer : when you will have built a 25 million USD company that support directly OpenBSD , you will be allowed to talk about it and say you have done your job and be able to tell me to shut up.
Why would I want to do that?
“Get what? ”
What you discarded in my previous text as nonsense , because frankly your too inapt to grasp it.
“Why would I want to do that?”
Exactly , why would you whant to support OpenBSD … Thats the same conclusion everyone elce come up with , the OpenBSD people dont support there system why should anyone else do …
What you discarded in my previous text as nonsense , because frankly your too inapt to grasp it.
Well since I’m so daft, why don’t you spell it out for me? What are you trying to say Moulinneuf?
Daft ? No , your words not mine. Spell it out ? How can I be more clear ? Just read what I already wrote. Keep doing what you do , it seem to be working great for OpenBSD. I really like what you do 😉
As a Linux advocate, I feel deeply ashamed by all your posts in this comment section so far. Please, for the love of god, shut the f–k up.
Your not a Linux advocate 😉
Daft ? No , your words not mine. Spell it out ? How can I be more clear ? Just read what I already wrote. Keep doing what you do , it seem to be working great for OpenBSD. I really like what you do 😉
No, I’m serious. Your english isn’t that great so it is difficult for me to understand what your thesis is. As far as I can tell all that you have said is that OpenBSD sucks … and so do I.
So please Moulinneuf, articulate for me, and the rest of OSNews, on what your thoughts are towards OpenBSD and it’s users.
I promise to not berate or insult what you write. I come to you in peace.
“No, I’m serious.”
No , your not 😉
“Your english isn’t that great so it is difficult for me to understand what your thesis is. ”
No , my english is perfect , its not the problem.
“As far as I can tell all that you have said is that OpenBSD sucks … and so do I. ”
As far as I can tell your funny as hell … must be why OpenBSD is where its at.
“So please Moulinneuf, … and it’s users. ”
I already said what I felt needed to be said , you got the point too and your reply where in accordance to the reason why OpenBSD is made irrelevant everyday.
“I promise to not berate or insult what you write. I come to you in peace.”
I guess we dont have the same definition of berate and insult or peace.
No , your not 😉
Well, ok. Have it your way.
I will not be replying to any of your comments ever again.
Goodbye.
Goodbye
“You know whats simple and effective ? No you obviously dont , let me tell you clearly : I go to best buy pick up a computer pay for it go home connect it to the power socket and BOOM , its ready to use , that is easy. ”
hook it up. google for free pr0n. click on free pr0n. get infected with malicious code and become part of botnet. it’s ready to use!! that is easy.!! 🙂
“hook it up. google for free pr0n. click on free pr0n. get infected with malicious code and become part of botnet. it’s ready to use!! that is easy.!! :-)”
Thats what OpenBSD do , no wonder nobody use it as desktop … Its worst then windows.
“Funny, I’ve always found it to be exactly the opposite. ”
Thats why your a Die-Hard hackers …
Although i don’t have the need to run OpenBSD i have installed it once just out of curiosity.The install is secure and easy.The procedure is nicely explained on the manual inside the CD case.Or look at it online a few times and go ahead,there’s really nothing to it.I installed it and the other day for fun i made a transparant proxy.Only drawback might be the lack of packages,perhaps most of them are covered by Linux binairies.
Edited 2006-04-25 18:59
Moulinneuf is one of typical GPL/GNU/Linux zealot, but I guess he only knows apt-get, synaptic, etc, and probabaly he knows more complex installation with ./configure && make && make install. He probably heard about cvs and svn, but highly unlikely know what are they stand for. But on top of those, he is always talking big about FOSS.
Anybody know if OpenBSD has finally upgraded its default Python install/dependencies to 2.4?
As my OpenBSD 3.9 CD arrived yesterday. I already installed it on a test machine (if you have problems with the non-graphical Linux installs, you’re going to LOVE OpenBSD!!! :-), and am in the process of learning it.
I have to say, it seems to be working quite nicely so far, but anything to help me get better with it is much appreciated.
is there a way of using cfdisk in the installation?
there is no cfdisk in openbsd
that’s a linux utility afaik
cfdisk is useless since it’s, afaik, Linux only: partitioning is done differently between BSD’s and Linux and device names are different too. What is wrong with disklabel and fdisk?
I admit, my first go with bsd fdisk I was scared. Once I understood the difference between a slice and a partition it was easier. A cfdisk port to bsd would be interesting though…
I liked the article. I bought 3.8 and await my 3.9 disks.
Network configuration would be one way to strengthen TFA. I’m used to the GNU/Linux hunt for drivers and such.
I installed OpenBSD 3.9 yesterday afternoon (the CD had barely arrived before I was shoving it in a test machine!). During the install, it correctly found and set up all of my hardware, including my network card. It asked me to enter my IP (I use static routing at home), name server, gateway, etc…, and when I did my first reboot after install, networking was up and running fine. I can’t vouch for DHCP setup though.
I’ve got a USB Linksys device, and I think it’s supported, driverwise. It will be using DHCP, however.
I guess the drivers are all compiled into the kernel? Network configuration was where I stopped with 3.8. 3.9 promises to be fun.
I use a linksys usb nic, it’s found as an axe device (axe0 specifically). Works great! I use it with my zaurus just about every day.
I was interested in trying out OpenBSD. I installed X and KDE, but it turns out the kernel only supports 8-bit X… At least I got sound to work.
very good OS. get good documentation included. most internet facing servers running common protos run OpenBSD just for peace of mind.
to migrate to it.
if you are a linux user, you need to learn BSD — it’s a little different but knowledge will transfer.
if you are an exisitng windows user, well, obviously, you need to learn the *nixes.
OpenBSD is a smartly developed OS that actually has a plan and a direction. The quality of the OS is fantastic, the ports and packages are near flawless and work. Instead of adressing issues by writing more code on top of existing marginal code they fix stuff. Recent examples are Marc Espie’s work on pkg_add (OpenBSD now includes package update and replacement including dependencies) or wireless support (focus of the 3.8 release). The ural driver was written from scratch (Daniel) and OpenBSD was the first OS that included wireless support for it and other cards out of the box. Recently the nvidia network driver got written. The code is clean (e.g. nv driver is less than 5 times the size of the ndiswrapper / whatever blob).
Here is a link
http://blowfishbsd.blogspot.com/
to my write up running OpenBSD with lighttpd, fastcgi, php in chroot. Hopefully it helps somebody.
I use OpenBSD for servers, desktops, routers, firewall, kid’s computers…
aki
But are they the best solution for the job ? Who beat them ? Why do they beat them ?
How come when I go to http://www.openbsd.org/ its not mentionned : Best solution for packet filtering and why …
You are supposed to reckognise it yourself.If you ask such questions you might consider an alternativ solution.If you don’t know what it is the chance is significant you don’t need it.However i think what you meant,is why don’t they seek more public profile.
ftp://ftp.openbsd.org/pub/OpenBSD/songs/song35.mp3
Be sure to have headphones on.
(a lot of nonsense)
“…because contrary to the moron belief I aint biased , I just happen to know the subject perfectly”
…
(and still much more nonsense)
At first look, I wasn’t sure if you’re just trolling for fun or if you’re simply a complete moron. After reading all your blatant nonsense, I’m assured you’re just a moron.
Your nonsense isn’t worth a debate.
I intalled OpenBSD 3.8 some days ago on my Sun Ultra 5 just for test and I liked it a lot.
I got used to Debian/Ubuntu in the last years and I was impressed by how clean and simple OpenBSD is compared to these ones (that for sure, are one of the more clean and simple GNU/Linux distros).
I agree. However, I also think that the installer can be a pain if one doesn’t read the installer guide. Yes, the installer is slightly complicated, but if you’re in a hurry, then don’t try OpenBSD.
I don’t think that you entirely understood my post. The OpenBSD community doesn’t crave “mindshare”. The community doesn’t need 2 million users to be successful. In fact, the project is already a smashing success. OpenSSH (or a varient of) is used on nearly every Unix system in existance. The net is a safer place thanks to the project.
What the OpenBSD community desperately needs is money. They are always short of funds, always asking their community to contribute more. This is understandable – developers can’t live on air and water alone.
But why is the OpenBSD project (a very worthy project, I should add) always desperately short of funds? Because they don’t have enough users. And the reason they don’t have enough users is because their OS is so hard to install and configure. It’s that simple.
The OpenBSD crew doesn’t care if there are 200, 20000 or 2000000 users using the OS. The code is out there. The documentation is out there. There is no warrentee. There is no guarentee of satisfaction. There are no refunds. A certain type of user will love it, others will hate it. And that’s ok.
And if that’s the attitude, then the project will forever be short of funds. And the shortage of funds will hurt development.
“He already mentionned Die-Hard hackers …”
I’m not one.
“What’s that job that specifically get better served by OpenBSd ? Nothing at all ?”
Routing, firewalling and servers in my and many others case.
“More question to answer ? Wow only a die hard hacker would call that easy …”
Yeah, answering questions like what timezone you’re in and if you want to run sshd sure is hard….
Better be a hard core hacker to figure those answers out.
“Adult also use there real name.”
You seem to be confusing username with real name. My real name is where you’d expect it to be, in the user details.
“You know whats simple and effective ? No you obviously dont , let me tell you clearly : I go to best buy pick up a computer pay for it go home connect it to the power socket and BOOM , its ready to use , that is easy.”
I know exactly what’s simple and effective.
I didnt know you could buy pre-configured and pre-installed gigabit routers, firewalls and servers at Best Buy, btw.
“You have no head , he must have been chewing air , you dont have an accurate view , your not an adult either , adult will say : hey I will show you how to fix your problem and teach you how to learn to answer your own question for X fee.”
Really? I’d think adults had other things to do with their time, like be with their family or work or do other interesting things. Sorry, I dont have time, patience or interest to answer the same question that has already been answered a million times before. If the answer “search the mailing list archives” dont work for you I really dont care.
It’s not for you to say how I spend my time and what I should do.
“Someone forgot to teach you that its not always the best product that win.”
It’s nice to see that you acknowledge OpenBSD to be the superior product.
“I’m not one.”
I guess , you need to be reminded that you use OpenBSD and find it easy to use …
“Routing, firewalling and servers in my and many others case. ”
Its not the best solution in those case.
“Yeah, answering questions … figure those answers out. ”
Get out of your bubble go to a mall and ask the next 100 person you meet if they know what sshd ask them if they ever heard of OpenBSd too will your at it.
“You seem to be confusing username with real name. ”
No confusion on my part.
“My real name is where you’d expect it to be, in the user details. ”
Because its obvious that Lars Hansson is already in use …
“I know exactly what’s simple and effective. ”
No …
“I didnt know you could buy pre-configured and pre-installed gigabit routers, firewalls and servers at Best Buy, btw. ”
You can buy terrabyte solution this days 😉
“Really? I’d think adults had other things to do with their time”
No , because an adult know that not everyone is born with absolute knowledge on everything …
“like be with their family or work or do other interesting things.”
Yes your doing those when your replying rtfm on a mailing list …
“Sorry, I dont have time, patience or interest to answer the same question that has already been answered a million times before. ”
Then dont answer them at all , if your not qualified or wanting to do the job why do you discuss it at all ?
“If the answer “search the mailing list archives” dont work for you I really dont care. ”
Thats the problem right there , you dont care about helping , you dont care about OpenBSD , you dont care about anything , your Anti Social , dont worry your the norm in Open BSD , thats why OPEN BSD is made by you and your ilk to be irrelevant.
“It’s not for you to say how I spend my time and what I should do. ”
In that regard , your wrong , your attitude , lack of caring and lack of realism is why OpenBSD is made irrelevant.
Lets do the opposite of what you do.
1) contribute OpenBSd code
2) Contribute money monthly to the tune of 10$ and more and encourage other to do the same
3) Help anyone who ask question , so that they too become OpenBSD user and gurus.
4) Discourage people who are Anti social from replying to people who are new to the platform
5) Once a Month gather with other like me to show the world around me what we are doing so that people know we exist
6) Give bought OpenBSD around so that people can see what it is and tell them where to buy and get the new version.
But I forgot you dont care about doing that.
“It’s nice to see that you acknowledge OpenBSD to be the superior product.”
Everything is better then Windows , The phrase is meant to say that in today’s world making the best product alone is not enough anymore , not surprising you dont get it at all , you have to adapt to the new reality.
“I’m a highly-technical-person-in-training, but I wont contribute to a group of arrogant people’s project.”
How do you know they are arrogant? You have already said that you have never tried OpenBSD and never read the mailing lists.
“Any business that takes this attitude will fail. ”
OpenBSD is not a business and their goal is not to capture market share. Catering for the smallest common denominator is a great way to have a low-quality product.
“I blame the hostile OBSD community for this.”
The community isnt hostile.
“IMO the worst part of installing OpenBSD is the fdisk and disklabel steps.”
And they’re only a bit difficult of you multiboot other OS’ from the same disk. If you install pure OBSD systems, like what I do more than 95% of the time, fdisk and disklabel arent all that difficult.
“Its not the best solution in those case.”
Sorry to dissapoint you but it is. You dont know a single thing about how I work, where I work and what our needs are so you dont have a clue about what works here and what doesnt.
“Yes your doing those when your replying rtfm on a mailing list …”
Yep, amazingly enough “rtfm” takes a lot less time to write down than a 2 paragraph reply that i’d have to either write myself or find myself. If I even bother to write “rtfm”.
“You can buy terrabyte solution this days ;-)”
Sorry, I dont feel like buying overpriced, propreitary Cisco (et al) junk.
“1) contribute OpenBSd code”
I dont contribute code but I do perform testing of new features, services and ports and maintain ports in the official tree.
“2) Contribute money monthly to the tune of 10$ and more and encourage other to do the same”
How much I contribute and when I do that is really entirely up to me.
“3) Help anyone who ask question , so that they too become OpenBSD user and gurus.”
I do but to exactly what questions I provide answers is up to me.
“4) Discourage people who are Anti social from replying to people who are new to the platform”
I really cant tell other people what to do. It’s not like there arent any grumpy old men on the Linux lists.
“6) Give bought OpenBSD around so that people can see what it is and tell them where to buy and get the new version.”
I do.
“Sorry to dissapoint you but it is.”
No 😉
“You dont know a single thing about how I work”
I see the result … OpenBSd …
“where I work and what our needs are so you dont have a clue about what works here and what doesnt.”
Keep it a secret and think you have the best solution 😉
“Yep, amazingly … even bother to write “rtfm”. ”
Strange , but thats not how it work , if you teach someone else how to do it , they now can do it and teach others , instead of moving to another platform , its as a multiplier effect , more people write code , hence you concentrate on your speciality , more people to answer question , more advanced project , more time to do other stuff.
” Sorry, I dont feel like buying overpriced, propreitary Cisco (et al) junk.”
Thats all you know exist ? The world evolved a bit since the last time you took a peek at it 😉 , I guess OpenBSd offering solution that are 1/4 of the price of cisco are also out of the idea 😉
” I dont contribute code … the official tree. ”
I guess because when you asked to be tought how to write code they told you read the manual 😉
“How much I contribute and when I do that is really entirely up to me. ”
Nope , when your project cant meet its normal yearly expanse , you have to do more , show that you do more as a leadership example so that other join you in your decision. No shame in supporting OpenBSd.
“I do but to exactly what questions I provide answers is up to me. ”
Nope , when one take on the job of supporting something , you do the full job , even the repetitive question and you do it with a smile and good attitude , so that people say Hey those OpenBSD people are 100 time nicer then those GNU/Linux guys. Sorry , I dont get the doing half the job mentality. You do it or you dont.
“I really cant tell other people what to do. ”
Actually you can , you choose not to.
“It’s not like there arent any grumpy old men on the Linux lists.”
There not the only one or the norm 😉 , and they get told to change there attitude.
Only you that is stopping your project from achieving better then it currently does. You whant to blame US , well nice try we will suport you financially and we will tell you what to do , because obviously you cant on your own , its a pleasure to remind you of that.
OUIN OUIN OUIN OUIN OUIN , GNU/Linux as Bla bla bla bla , Yep we build it , paid for it and took on the job , will all you mostly do is cry , do half the job and insult anyone who whant to join in with you or whant to learn to use your system.
You are your worst enemy , not me , not GNU/Linux , not windows , yourself.