Intro SmartOS Setup pt 1

For a while now, I've wanted to check out Joyent's SmartOS but until
recently, simply didn't have the time. This series of posts details my
initial setup and testing of SmartOS. (To jump straight to SmartOS within
VirtualBox (VBox), see part 3.) For better or worse, I really enjoy

Configuring AutoFS in FreeBSD

As a follow up to AutoFS in Linux, this post details simple usage of
AutoFS under FreeBSD, as controlled by 'amd'.  The purpose of AutoFS is
to mount volumes as they are needed and unmount them when they are not
in use.  The same setup I used in the Linux write up is presented here,

Remounting Part of an FS Elsewhere

The following details loopback file system (FS) mounts. These allow one to effectively mount a portion of an FS elsewhere, providing access to the underlying sub-tree(s) via alternate pathnames wherein a symlink may not be appropriate. Our host details are:

Extracting Individual Files from an Archive

Too often, I only need a single file or a couple of files from an archive.
One answer to this is to just extract the entire archive so that I can
get to those particular files.  The more precise answer is to simply
extract only those files that I need and place them where I want them.

Process Memory Usage

Since resources on a host are finite, it can be useful to know the
impact of a process or processes on those resources.  In this instance,
we'll take a look at a process' use of memory.  Our details for this are:

Replicating a ZFS FS Between Hosts

Occasionally, it can be useful to fully replicate a volume of data from
one host to another.  Perhaps you need to mirror a production filesystem
(FS) for use in development, need a sane backup, etc.  The following
describes one way of doing this using ZFS.  Additionally, we're going

Sending Messages to Users

Recently while working on a problem with someone else, I needed to have
them run a series of commands with specific options.  Since we were
both working remotely, it wasn't as simple as telling them to look
over my shoulder.  Though I tried telling them the commands over the

Finding Open Files in FreeBSD

Following up the same in Solaris, here's how to identify open files on
a particular filesystem (FS) in a FreeBSD environment.  Our host details
for this are:

Configuring NFS in FreeBSD

Having written up Solaris and Linux, it's time to take a look at
configuring NFS in FreeBSD.  Briefly, NFS (network file system) provides
access to remote filesystems which appear similar to local resources
on client hosts.  The following focuses on simple NFS server and client

Static Routes in FreeBSD

A friend of mine recently told me that while he appreciated the detail
and content of my writings, a good deal of the subject matter was a
little beyond him.  In support of the fresh-faced sysadmins and those
that might be new to FreeBSD (we were all there once), this write up is

Recreate a FreeBSD UFS FS

As a follow up to recreating a Solaris UFS FS, the following details
FreeBSD.  Just as with Solaris, when trying to determine how a filesystem
was created, 'newfs -N /dev/da2s1a' is not the answer, as it only produces
information relevant to a default FS creation.  Our host details for this

Adding Swap Space in FreeBSD

While it shouldn't occur too frequently, it is likely at some point as a
sysadmin, you will need to add additional swap space to a box.  At that
time, your options will be to use a free disk partition with suitable
space or to create a swapfile on an existing filesystem.  The following

Mounting ISO Images

So you've created a fresh ISO image and now you want to use it, verify
its contents, etc.  Whatever your purpose, it is fairly trivial to
mount the image file and access it.  The following are our host details:

op, An Alternative To sudo

**** What is op? ****

For those unfamiliar with op, one can think of op as being similar
to sudo.  As taken from the man page (op.1):

Using Logical Network Interfaces

Logical interfaces (logints, vips) are sometimes overlooked though can be
quite handy.  For instance, they can be used for IP based hosting (think
webservers), failover of clustered services, testing, providing network
connectivity for zones, etc.  Additionally, they are relatively trivial

FreeBSD Issue with Solaris NFS Shares

In a past NAS migration attempt, it was discovered that FreeBSD boxes
don't necessarily play well with NFS mounts shared from Solaris boxes
when the mount IP is on a virtual interface.  The reason behind this
issue is that Solaris, in dealing with virtual interfaces, responds

Host Info - Boot Parameters

Now entering the batter's box of the 'host info' series, boot parameters
of a running host.  Our lineup of hosts and "stats" are:

        HOSTS:          snorkle (sunhost), tux (linhost), beastie (bsdhost)
 

Host Info - Network Interfaces

As part of the 'host info' series, we're on to network interfaces.
I know, can't be too hard, run 'ifconfig'.  That's fine if you want IP
(layer 3) related information, but what about layer 2 details?  To get
link status, associated interface speed, duplex, and VLAN tagging

Overlaid Mount Problem

In UNIX environments, it's not uncommon to see various file systems (FS)
mounted, be it local storage, fiber attached from a SAN, network based
like NFS, etc.  These mounts may be exist for any number of reasons,
such as application data, user home directories, additional log space,

Host Info - Disks

Continuing the 'host info' series, we check out what disks are presented
to the system.  As usual, the details of our hosts are:

        HOSTS:          snorkle (sunhost), tux (linhost), beastie (bsdhost)