The FreeBSD 6.2 Crash Course

Installing FreeBSD 6.2

There's more than one way to install FreeBSD. This section will cover the three most effective installation methods and walk you through each process in easy-to-follow steps.

Installation Methods

The fastest, easiest, and most common method of installing FreeBSD is via three installation CDs. If you aren't able to download large ISO files, you can install from a minimal installation CD and pull necessary files from a FreeBSD FTP mirror. Refer to the specific upcoming section that applies to your situation.

Obtaining Installation Media

The installation media you use depends on a number of obvious factors. Following are the best methods of obtaining them.

Buying pressed FreeBSD 6.2 CDs

If you don't need to install FreeBSD immediately, don't have a CD writer, or would like to do a little reading (e.g., this very guide) before you dive into the installation procedure, then it might make sense for you to order the official FreeBSD CD set. Though there are many FreeBSD CD publishers, the only one that had version 6.2 on CD as of this writing was the FreeBSD Mall:

http://www.freebsdmall.com/cgi-bin/fm/bsd6.2?id=wWrPcJZP&mv_pc=21

The same store also has a DVD version available, though this guide does not cover DVD-specific installation instructions. In general the installation procedure should be the same between the CD and DVD editions, except the DVD won't need to be switched out with other discs during the procedure like the CDs will.

The CD set costs U.S. $40, and the ...