This Sheet describes the procedure for updating FreeBSD from source. Before performing this procedure, you should review the FreeBSD Handbook article Rebuilding "world".
Read /usr/src/UPDATING carefully so that you understand any special procedures that are required. If you do not follow such special procedures, you run the risk of rendering your system unusable. Make sure you have a backup of all the important files on your system!
Run cvsup to update the sources:
# /usr/local/bin/cvsup -g -L 2 /usr/src/stable-supfile
If you've created the /usr/local/bin/cvsrun script described in the Updating Sources with CVSup cheat sheet, you can also run:
# /usr/local/bin/cvsrun
If you need help setting up /usr/src/stable-supfile, see the Updating Sources with CVSup cheat sheet.
Edit or create /etc/make.conf and enter the following options to override the defaults:
CFLAGS= -O -pipe
COPTFLAGS= -O -pipe
NO_PROFILE= true
Backup /etc:
# cp -RLp /etc /etc.old
If required by /usr/src/UPDATING, run mergemaster to update files essential to the success of buildworld:
# /usr/sbin/mergemaster -p -v -w 132 (eliminate '-w 132' if 132-column video mode is not activated)
Remove old /usr/obj:
# cd /usr/obj
# chflags -R noschg *
# rm -rf *
Compile the sources:
# cd /usr/src
# make buildworld
If make doesn't run, i.e., it appears to be frozen and not compiling anything, run make with a clean environment:
# env -i make buildworld
Compile and install the new kernel:
# make kernel KERNCONF=YOURKERNEL
If you don't already have a custom kernel configuration, use GENERIC in place of YOURKERNEL above. If you wish to create a custom kernel, see the Building a Custom Kernel cheat sheet.
Drop to single user mode:
# shutdown now (Notice no '-r' or '-h')
Alternatively, you can reboot into single user mode:
# shutdown -r now
If you are using FreeBSD 5.x or 6.x, choose the 'Boot FreeBSD in single user mode' option at the boot menu; otherwise, during the boot loader countdown, press any key other than the Enter key, and at the boot prompt, enter the command:
ok boot -s
At the shell prompt, mount the file systems:
# fsck -p
# mount -u /
# mount -a -t ufs
# swapon -a
If you are using a serial terminal that supports 132x50 (or similar) video, set the video mode:
# /bin/stty columns 132 rows 50
Run mergemaster to update files essential to the success of installworld:
# /usr/sbin/mergemaster -p -v -w 132 (eliminate '-w 132' if 132-column video mode is not activated)
Install the new system binaries:
# cd /usr/src
# make installworld
Update system configuration files:
# /usr/sbin/mergemaster -v -w 132 (eliminate '-w 132' if 132-column video mode is not activated)
Reboot to multi-user mode:
# shutdown -r now
