Export Installed Ports & Packages for Offline Installation

J

jrt03

Apologies if my terminology is off, but I have a server that I've installed a custom kernel, several ports, and several packages on, and I need to deploy the exact same set of packages on about 50 other identical servers.

Side Note: Originally I was only installing packages, but I ended up having to use ports meet some specific needs (e.g. python27 in pkgs is 2.7.1, while python27 in ports is 2.7.2)

  1. Once my template machine is complete, what's the best way for me to export all installed ports and packages so they can be installed on the other machines offline?
  2. Can I convert installed ports to packages?
  3. At minimum, I would like to automate the installation of the ports/packages, but what are some beginning resources for automating the install FreeBSD and my custom kernel?

Any help is much appreciated :)
 
jrt03 said:
1) Once my template machine is complete, what's the best way for me to export all installed ports and packages so they can be installed on the other machines offline?
Click to expand...
Set up a build server and build all your own packages. NFS export /usr/ports/packages/ or set up a web server that shares them. You can then use pkg_add(1) on the all the other machines.

2) Can I convert installed ports to packages?
Click to expand...
Yes, with pkg_create(1).

3) At minimum, I would like to automate the installation of the ports/packages, but what are somebeginning resources for automating the install FreeBSD and my custom kernel?
Click to expand...
A lot of the installation can be automated. The new bsdinstall isn't completely documented yet though. But I think I can remember a few threads dealing with it. I'll see if I can find them.

Edit: Found a thread with some pointers: Thread 2886
 
Thanks SirDice!

  1. I was able to export my ports and packages via pkg_create(1). When I go to reinstall them on my other machines, will I need to install them in a specific order or will pkg_add(1) know what it needs to do to install a dependency?
  2. I'll read up on bsdinstall, but I don't have forum permissions to access the link you provided :\

Thanks again!
 
jrt03 said:
1) I was able to export my ports and packages via pkg_create. When I go to reinstall them on my other machines, will I need to install them in a specific order or will pkg_add know what it needs to do to install a dependency?
Click to expand...
pkg_add(1) will know what needs to be done.

2) I'll read up on bsdinstall, but I don't have forum permissions to access the link you provided :\
Click to expand...
Oops, me neither. Copy/pasted a couple of numbers short :r

This should be the correct one: Thread 28862
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top