Absolute OpenBSD

Chapter 5. The Boot Process

Single-user mode unscheduled in the nighttime? Something just went “boom”!

In order to properly manage any computing platform, you must understand the boot process. Many systems administration tasks cannot be done while the system is running. OpenBSD specifically requires that certain tasks be done before the boot process has completed. And, of course, on any operating system, sometimes a process starting up prevents the system from completing its boot. The only way to fix these problems is to interrupt the boot partway through.

First, we’ll look at the key to OpenBSD’s booting process: the boot loader. Then we’ll move ...