PC-BSD questions

[Superdude_123]

As a complete newb to PC-BSD but with past experience with Debian/Ubuntu, I'd like to know how to install stuff command line style. My first thing I discovered is that I have to do the following in command line:

cd /path/to/port && make install clean

Now I've discovered that for most things, they have to be under /usr/ports/category/program

What I don't get is, what do I do if I'd like to install something I can't find in the directory tree? For example, under Debian, all you do is apt-get install your-app-that-you-want and it goes and looks for it online, then installs it.

I'm also wondering the following:

- Does PC-BSD have Fali2ban?
- What's a good method of installing all the media support (DVD's, mp3, mp4...)?
- Do I have to do anything special if I want to read and write to EXT3 partition (external hard drive)?

[errandonea]

To browse the ports in search for your application, you should visit :

http://www.freshports.org/

or

http://www.freebsd.org/ports/categories-grouped.html

On PC-BSD, you should use the PBI whenever possible, rather than the ports. Their number is small for the moment but it will quickly grow.

Also, use the ports in the Ports jail, not in the main console.

[jag3773]

FreeBSD does have fail2ban support, but you configure it a little differently than in Linux.

Here is a link from fail2ban's site: http://www.fail2ban.org/wiki/index.php/Talk:Features

You probably also want to look at the pkg_add command. For instance, you can run `pkg_add -r KeePassX` to install KeePassX.

[NaX]

Firstly media support should mostly work out of the box.
Have a look at this handbook page for details: http://wiki.pcbsd.org/index.php/Multimedia

When it comes to filesystem support the following Handbook pages describes support for all the major filesystems.
http://wiki.pcbsd.org/index.php/PC-BSD_for_Linux_Users

If you need to install something that is not found as a PBI in AppCafe try looking at the following Ports Jail info.
http://wiki.pcbsd.org/index.php/Ports_Jail

Lastly here is the top level page for managing software in PCBSD describing AppCafe, PBI Manager and Update Manager. Just following the links. PBI Manager is a suite of command line utilities for managing PBIs.
http://wiki.pcbsd.org/index.php/Inst...PC-BSD_Updated

Lastly try running the Live DVD/USB and giving it a try. That is the best way to see if it will meet your needs.

[Superdude_123]

Nax, I've already installed PC-BSD on my system.

When it comes to "pkg_add -r ", does it take care of the dependancies?

[tankist]

Yes it does, but on PC BSD you should install FreeBSD packages only in the ports jail (I think).

[Superdude_123]

Why does everything I read talk about using port jail? What's the difference between that and a system wide install?

[NaX]

Why does everything I read talk about using port jail? What's the difference between that and a system wide install?

When possible you should use PBI's. When you can’t find a PBI for the software you looking for you should use the Ports Jail. The ports jail is a virtual environment where everything occurs inside the jail and does not affect the rest of the operating system. This separates third party software from the base OS protecting the base OS files form third party software.

The Ports Jail is a security and stability measure for managing third party software. You can use any software installed in the Ports Jail the same way as you would normally.

So in PCBSD you have three types of methods to install software. I think it is one of the only OS's that allow for such a versatile system for managing software.

- PBI = All in one static binding of libraries, packages will never break other software and libraries, and should work after base OS upgrades
- Packages = IE "pgk_add -r package-name", this is very similar to things like Debian’s APT where dependencies are resolved and generic binary packages are installed
- Ports Source install = IE "make install" exactly the same as pkg_add when it comes to dependencies, the only difference is that all packages are compiled on your machine first. All generic binary packages used by pkg_add -r are built from ports

See previous link about the Ports Jail. See other docs on FreeBSD packages and ports below.

Chapter 5 Installing Applications: Packages and Ports
http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO...ook/ports.html

5.4 Using the Packages System
http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO...ges-using.html

5.5 Using the Ports Collection
http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO...rts-using.html

[sixthwheel]

Why does everything I read talk about using port jail? What's the difference between that and a system wide install?

Think of ports jail as a virtual machine in Linux.
You install a VM and anything you do inside said VM stays in the VM environment and does not effect your main OS.
Same with ports jail, except you don't install another OS within it, just packages.
You can only run programs you install in ports jail in ports jail.

It's a great way to learn how to use ports without breaking your system.

[Abdul]

Think of ports jail as a virtual machine in Linux.
You install a VM and anything you do inside said VM stays in the VM environment and does not effect your main OS.
Same with ports jail, except you don't install another OS within it, just packages.
You can only run programs you install in ports jail in ports jail.

It's a great way to learn how to use ports without breaking your system.

I think the most important thing is that you loose the ports installed elsewhere when you update your system.