FreeBSD

FreeBSD is a free (as in freedom) UNIX-like operating system from the BSD created in 1993. family. Learn more about its features and history.

freebsd - desktop
Pic 1. FreeBSD - random desktop

Security

FreeBSD includes lots of mechanisms that increase the security level. The portaudit tool allow to check installed packages if they are listed in a list of published security vulnerabilities. See also FreeBSD VuXML document.

There is also the TrustedBSD Project, which focuses on the extensions that boost FreeBSD security and which are necessary for getting the Common Criteria certificate. TrustedBSD components are:

Some interesting comparisons between FreeBSD and other systems in terms of security can be found on Wikipedia: Comparison of operating systems (security). And here are the FreeBSD security statistics created by the well-respected Secunia company.

Ports system

The ports system provides troubleless software installation and update mechanism. More than 18000 programs exist in the repository which is also called a ports tree, ports collection or just ports. The FreeBSD's ports system has been adopted by NetBSD (pkgsrc) and OpenBSD (ports) and has been independently developed in three branches since then.

The most important component of ports are makefiles. They determine from download sources, instruct how to compile the sources, create binary packages from them and finally install programs.

In order to install software you just need to enter a correct directory and type # make install (eg. if you want to install ratpoison window manager just enter the following code: # cd /usr/ports/x11-wm/ratpoison/; make install ).

Compiling programs gives the ability to tweak all possible options. However big programs like KDE, GNOME or OpenOffice.org require long time to compile (and lots of other resources like RAM memory and disk space). In such cases precompiled binary packages are helpful. In both cases dependencies are automatically resolved. To install a package, simply type # pkg_add -r package_name (eg. # pkg_add -r ratpoison, to install ratpoison window manager).

Regular ports updating is very important. There are two programs for updating ports: cvsup and faster and safer portsnap. Portsnap can be also used for ports installation.

FreeBSD ports system is very complex, so we're not going to describe it here in detail. More information can be found in the handbook and in the manuals man ports, man portsnap. There are two very useful supplemental tools: Portupgrade for ports and packages updating Portmanager for ports management.

Documentation

Like all major BSD flavors, FreeBSD is well documented. There are man pages, excellent handbook, extensive FAQ, books and articles.

After installation

After FreeBSD installation it is worth to fetch ports, read handbook chapters that describe freqently performed tasks, and learn the administration basics. Some users may want to change te default csh shell, for example to BASH. There are really many alternative shells in ports. Tips that help to optimize performance, can be found in the man tuning page.

Users that need commercial support or are seeking FreeBSD-related products, should take a look at the list of consultants and firms offering paid support for FreeBSD.

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3 Comments

fold this thread dthomas53  Friday, 18 August 2006 o godz. 12:56 am #  Add karma Subtract karma  +0

Just a slight correction: “FreeBSD has the largest software repository of all BSD systems - over 13 thousands ports”

There is currently over 15500 ports…

http://www.freebsd.org/ports/index.html

Great site, thanks!

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fold this thread t_ziel  Tuesday, 12 September 2006 o godz. 6:09 pm #  Add karma Subtract karma  +0

I have also created NetBSD and OpenBSD descriptions. Please report all mistakes. Thank You!

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fold this thread FreeBSD News  Tuesday, 1 July 2008 o godz. 9:51 am #  Add karma Subtract karma  +0

Apart from the main FreeBSD website news feed, there’s also the <a href=”http://www.freebsdnews.net”FreeBSD News blog - “FreeBSD - the unknown Giant” for those wanting to stay up to date of what’s happening in “FreeBSD Land”

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