PCBSD updates and custom kernel/world setup

[Apatewna]

PCBSD 1.3.3 (Online Update Only) - Changelog
2-12-07 (Kris Moore)
--------------------------

* Updated HAL to latest version: 0.5.8-20070210
* Updated kdebase to latest version: 3.5.5_4
* Applied FreeBSD security update SA-07:02
* Changed bsdstats script to run check daily

PCBSD 1.3.2 (Online Update / PBI Update Only) - Changelog
1-19-07 (Kris Moore)
--------------------------

* Updated alias.conf file
* Updated PBI Removal tool to support PBI Creator 3.0 files
* Fixed issue with devfs.rules and local printer support
* Changed default Icon for PBI Removal Tool
* Fixed issues on some systems removing desktop icons after PBI deletion
* Upgraded Start menu button background image
* Updated /etc/rc.d/jail startup script for FreeBSD-SA-07:01

Suppose I want to mess with the FreeBSD kernel and change a few things or install a complete new world. How would that affect my system if I later use the "PCBSD automatic updates"?

In the above quote I see some security patches involved which means some world-oriented changes. I suspect that these may cause unpredictable problems with the system if for example I have already updated my system manually to include not only this patch but also later patch versions.

So my point is, is there any chance we can have separate PCBSD updates that don't include such userland changes? How can we deal with this? I would love to just get the PCBSD-oriented updates separately. Then have the FreeBSD updates rolled in with the freebsd-updates utility that can also upgrade versions (eg 6.1 -> 6.2) with some limitations.

[marc]

Oh ... I have a question too ... can one upgrade only kernel without doing the same to the world?
I always upgrade/build only new kernel without making any changes to the world. Is that ok, or do I miss some point?

[antik]

Oh ... I have a question too ... can one upgrade only kernel without doing the same to the world?
I always upgrade/build only new kernel without making any changes to the world. Is that ok, or do I miss some point?

Yes you can upgrade only kernel but this is *not recommended*- you should upgrade userland too.

[marc]

Yes you can upgrade only kernel but this is *not recommended*- you should upgrade userland too.

Why exactly and - if so - then how?

[antik]

Quote:

Yes you can upgrade only kernel but this is *not recommended*- you should upgrade userland too.

Why exactly and - if so - then how?

Just like that.

[TerryP]

I'd suppose it depends on how the patch is done. I make it a standard practice that I back up my /etc directory and loader.conf files.

For much the same reason, I waited until the 1.3 update to get around to making any local changes and I'm still waiting for a good enough 'slack' between patches to ensure I don't loose any thing :-)

[g0lem]

it's not the /etc problem, but the newly compiled (user,kernel)land that are going to be affected by the i386 compatible compiled patch...
i guess this is the downside of building your own world :|
the only solution is to redo everything... because compiling patches that match every single type of (specific) platform would require at least several GB, not to count the time & co

[TerryP]

Yes - thats why I back up my configuration and wait to do that till after the patches.

[antik]

WARNING! This line should be commented out for PC-BSD or else you computer may not start after kernel upgrade.

#options        ATA_STATIC_ID   # Static device numbering

Original PC-BSD kernel configuration files are here: /PCBSD/conf

[pcbsdusr]

WARNING! This line should be commented out for PC-BSD or else you computer may not start after kernel upgrade.

Code:

#options ATA_STATIC_ID # Static device numbering

Original PC-BSD kernel configuration files are here: /PCBSD/conf

Shouldn't this work ok after HAL is working perfectly Andrei?