Basic Install of FreeBSD from CD Instructions - Ernest G. Wilson II's FreeBSD Pages

Installing a basic FreeBSD UNIX v6.2 - By: Ernest G. Wilson II

Getting a basic FreeBSD system installed from CD / FTP Network via the Internet

It is not my intent to list every possible way (and there are many ways) to install FreeBSD.
I will simply document how I install FreeBSD on a stand alone PC with some basic settings that will pay off later.
Below is a step by step guide to get nearly anyone started with a basic install of FreeBSD!
WARNING: I find FreeBSD UNIX way more powerful, secure and addicting than any Linux flavor of the day!

The following items are assumed:
    ·    You have a computer to install FreeBSD onto that:
        ·    Has a hard drive that can be formatted (as small as 8GB but 20GB or larger is nice for the many things I want to install)
        ·    Has a CDRom drive
        ·    Has at least 128MB of RAM (I like to have at least 512MB since RAM is cheap)
        ·    Has a basic video card, monitor and keyboard (during the install anyway)
        ·    Has an Ethernet card (I like a standard 10/100 or 10/100/1000 Intel or 3Com card for compatibility)
        ·    Has a dedicated connection to the Internet (DSL, Cable Modem, T1, T3, FIOS etc.)
        ·    Sound card and mouse are really optional (not needed on the server) since after installing you work remotely via SSH
        ·    It is not my intention to make a dual boot machine so you will need a hard drive that is empty or can be wiped.

I also highly recommend that you read through the FreeBSD handbook:
http://www.freebsd.org/handbook/index.html
Especially read the section: Installing FreeBSD.

1. Pre-Install of FreeBSD
            Set the following items in the PC server BIOS:
            - Boot from CDRom First
            - Turn OFF BIOS Virus Checking
            - Turn OFF Plug and Play OS

2. Begin installing and configuring FreeBSD
- Insert the FreeBSD 6.2 CD into the CDROM drive and reboot (start the PC)

3. Choose option 1 from the menu

4. Select your country (in my case United States)

5. Select "Custom" to begin our installation

6. Select "Partition" to begin picking which hard disk you want to use

7. Press "A" to use the entire disk (all), then hit "Q" to quit

8. Choice a "Standard" MBR (Master Boot Record) since we are not creating a dual boot machine

9. Choose "Label" and select "OK" to begin setting up partitions

10. In this case we are showing you a hard drive "ad0" that is approximately 80GB (81917MB)
      There are currently no partitions (slices) defined
      Over the next few steps you will be creating at least two (2) partitions:
          - A "Swap" partition usually equal to about double the amount of RAM on your system
          - A "root" partition (designated by the "/" symbol) for your files
      Note: This method is similar to Windows having one big "C:\" drive plus one swap file
             We could have taken a more advanced method and broken the disk up into dedicated slices for each purpose

11. Hit "C" for create and type 512M since in this example our PC has 256MB of RAM we will double the swap space
Select OK to continue

12. Choose "Swap" as the type and select OK

13. You should see your newly created swap partition listed

14. Hit "C" for create and take the default value (this big number is "everything that remains" ) for the rest of the disk
Select "OK" to use the rest of the disk for one big partition

15. Select "FS" (for File System) and select "OK" to continue

16. Type / (forward slash) for the mount point and select "OK" to continue

17. You should now see both of your partitions listed, type "Q" to quit the disk label editor

18. Choose "Distributions" and select "OK" to begin selecting our base install options

19. Choose "Minimal" and select "OK" to start with a very basic OS (We will add exactly what we want later)

20. Choose "Commit" and select "OK" to lock in our choices

21. Select "FTP" as the installation method - FreeBSD is a network centric OS, let's get on the network now!

22. Chooses an FTP distribution site that makes sense for your location and select "OK"

23. Choose your Ethernet card from the list (usually the top choice) and select "OK"

24. Choose "No" for IPv6

25. Choose "No" for DHCP - We are building a server here, not a workstation!
      Take the time now to setup a static (dedicated IP) for your server!
      You will need to remember and know this IP later for remote connections and testing!

26. Fill in your IP network settings and select "OK" to continue

27. Select "Yes" and let's get this install running!

28. Note: The screen you are watching is the main "ALT+F1" screen, you can also watch other screens (ALT+F4 etc.)

29. Sit back and watch the OS install!

30. Choose "Yes" to set some last minute options before we reboot

31. Select "Root Password" to set a password for username root

32. Pick a long and complicated password with at least 9 characters with upper and lower case and symbols
Remember your password! Type it twice to confirm pressing <ENTER Key> between each password