Making the FreeBSD LiveCD

How to make a FreeBSD LiveCD (only supported by FreeBSD 4, Because the FreeBSD 5 kernel doesn’t support. For FreeBSD 6, I haven’t tried before)

Preparation :

• Internet connection to install livecd program
• Installation FreeBSD 4 DD
• CDRW as well as blank CD
• a cup of coffee, better if serve with snack

 

To install LiveCD Program

#cd /usr/ports/sysutils/livecd

#make install clean

• To configure

#cd /usr/local/livecd

#./livecd.sh

• This display will appear

Choose the language, then press OK

• The next display looks like this

This is the option for live.sh file location. Just OK.

• Next screen will be like this :

Fill in the location where will we install the binary application of operating system which is will be used of LiveCD. Choose partition with high disc capacity. Then choose OK.

• The next screen will be like this.

This option is the location of the iso file will be created. Type the directory and press OK. please consider the free disc space of the partition.

• The next screen looks like this :

Choose YES

• Next!

If you have a CDR/CDRW, please choose YES.

• The next screen looks like this :

The option shows the device name for CDR/CDRW. To check the device name, follow these steps:

#dmesg|grep cd

#acd0: DVD-R at ata1-master PIO4

#cd /dev
#ls|grep acd0
acd0a
acd0c

• The last step is the summary of all stepsh :

Choose YES because this is just a review for all setting. If the setting is misconfigure, press control-c, then remove the file : /usr/local/livecd/config dan /usr/local/livecd/config.ok and rerun the application.

• Then, we will see this screen:

 

Do each steps from top to bottom. If you don’t have a CDR, ignore step #7, and the result will be an ISO file.

These are the explanations of each steps.

 

1. Create Folder : to create a directory/folder which we have defined before. For this example, the directory is /home/livecd. If the directory is already created before, the LiveCD application will remove the existing directory.
2. Install Binary Files : to copy some binary files from the CD to the LiveCD directory (as defined in the step #1) as well as kernel source. Before running this step, don’t forget to insert the FreeBSD Installation CD in the CD drive.
3. Create Kernel : To compile the kernel with root device = CD (/dev/acd0c – depend on setting). If you want to modify the kernel, modify before this step.
4. Change files : To copy some files from our FreeBSD into the LiveCD directory. If you want to modify some settings, modify after this step.
5. Install Package on LiveCD : To install the FreeBSD package. If you want to make a LiveCD with X-Window application, configure in this step. menginstall package FreeBSD. Apabila ingin membuat LiveCD dengan X-Window. If you want to do furhter configuration (for example for router), do after this step.
6. Create ISO : To create the ISO files based on the LiveCD directory (step#1)
7. Burn CD : To burn the ISO file into the media (CD/DVD)
8. EXIT : exit

So then, you have Your-nameBSD LiveCD

PS : If you made a LiveCD for router, please mail me. Because I want to discuss about the performance. (For now, I dont have some server to do some experiments). Thanks

PPS : This is the english version of http://fajri.freebsd.or.id/index.php/2006/05/06/membuat-livecd-freebsd/