A great collection of tips for running FreeBSD under VMware ESX and VMware Server. Point #3 is particularly helpful with ensuring that the clock inside the virtual machine stays synchronized with the host operating system.
File this link away if you deal with FreeBSD under VMware.
Before the FreeBSD veterans jump down my throat, I know that the “freebsd-update” command (and its accompanying unofficial binary security updates) has been available in the ports collection for ages.
However, as a relatively recent FreeBSD convert, I think its a pretty big deal that it is now offically supported as part of the base install. You see, a lot of Linux folks have gotten pretty used to typing “aptitude update” and then “aptitude upgrade” in order to install security updates. As a result, the idea of moving to FreeBSD and having to deal with source code, patches, compiling, etc. seems pretty old school and even a little scary. I know its not (if you can read the handbook) but it is certainly a barrier to entry for some. Continue reading
I had the opportunity to install FreeBSD 6.2 on a brand, spanking, new Dell 2950 the other day. It slid right on with absolutely no problems.
The Dell 2950 has the Perc 5/i RAID controller and was preconfigured in a RAID 5 by Dell with 4 x 73GB SAS 15K drives.
FreeBSD installed with no hassles at all. No messing around with drivers for RAID cards, network cards, etc. Love it.
One weirdness: When did Dell stop including PS2 keyboard ports on the back of their servers? Now the KVM switch is officially useless and we had to run around the data centre trying to beg, borrow, or steal a USB keyboard.
FreeNAS is a FreeBSD based operating system that allows you to turn a low powered computer into a file server with very little effort. Not only is it easy to install, it has a great web interface that makes administering it a breeze. Consider this: with the current cost of SATA hard drives (March 2006), you can add 1TB (yes, that’s a terabyte) of disk storage to your network for approximately $600 Canadian. That is unbelievable. For small businesses who are watching the bottom line, this is a great way to add a ton of storage without having to worry about encurring licensing fees.
