RE: https://mastodon.social/@nixCraft/115566280074527897

"Just" 270 MB for...an idle server?
Debian is still a great distribution but let's measure the ram consumption of a freshly installed *BSD or Illumos based server. The numbers are totally different.

#RunBSD #illumos #FreeBSD #OpenBSD #NetBSD #DragonflyBSD

Are you working on something involving a BSD system that you would like to share with others?

The Call for Papers period is open for AsiaBSDCon until November 30th, 2025 and for BSDCan until January 17, 2026.

Check out the websites linked in the article, and get that submission in!

What is BSD? Come to a conference to find out! https://nxdomain.no/~peter/what_is_bsd_come_to_a_conference_to_find_out.html or https://bsdly.blogspot.com/2025/11/what-is-bsd-come-to-conference-to-find.html #asiabsdcon #bsdcan #bsd #dragonflyBSD #freebsd #openbsd #netbsd #conference

Last week I had a chat with a colleague who is highly specialized in Microsoft solutions. Young but not too young, smart, not very up to date simply because he has little time for anything else. His specialization depends entirely on where he works, not on personal interest. Lately he seemed a bit disillusioned with some choices made by "other operating systems", and he was starting to consider moving his personal projects toward Microsoft as well, since he already had the experience. Still, he said it with boredom. With the attitude of someone who is tired of wasting time.

He had heard of the BSDs but had never tried installing them. He was convinced that there were no decent hypervisors outside the Linux world and that KVM belonged to Linux alone. I had the terrible idea of showing him the BSDs, how great bhyve is, and how nvmm on NetBSD uses qemu underneath, making it almost a replacement for KVM in many setups. He lit up with the look of someone waking up from a long sleep. I also had the terrible idea of showing him illumos and its distributions. He had no clue it existed and thought old, great Solaris had been dead for years thanks to Oracle.

He called me a little while ago. He was furious. He spent the whole weekend doing tests and now he has no idea what to use among FreeBSD with bhyve, NetBSD with nvmm, and illumos with bhyve or kvm. He is slowly starting to explore jails and illumos zones. He was annoyed (in a positive way) because now he does not know what to pick since everything feels so different from what he was used to, and he found advantages in each option.

I am obviously happy about it, but I also wonder: instead of reinventing the wheel every time, would it not sometimes be better to simply broaden our horizons?

#IT #SysAdmin #OperatingSystems #FreeBSD #Linux #NetBSD #OpenBSD #DragonflyBSD #illumos #SmartOS #OmniOS #OpenIndiana #Tribblix

@cstross

Would #rclone work for you (plural) as a #Dropbox client?

It's in #FreeBSD ports (and thus #DragonFlyBSD, #GhostBSD, et al.), #NetBSD pkgsrc, and #OpenBSD ports.

https://freshports.org/net/rclone

https://ftp.netbsd.org/pub/pkgsrc/current/pkgsrc/net/rclone/index.html

https://openports.eu/ports/sysutils/rclone

FreeBSD ports and OpenBSD ports also both have rclone-browser, but that's not currently in pkgsrc.

For completeness, I note that rclone (but again not rclone-browser) is in the #Tribblix and the #OmniOS packages collections.

https://pkgs.tribblix.org/tribblix-m38/

https://pkg.omnios.org/bloody/extra/en/catalog.shtml

Tribblix has a #WINE overlay, but I know nothing about it. On the gripping hand, @ptribble is actually here on the FediVerse. (-:

http://tribblix.org/overlay-wine.html

@nikatjef

Finally got around to writing a proper Wii boot loader for #NetBSD so I don't have to copy kernels to the FAT partition anymore.

The boot loader builds entirely from the NetBSD source tree using libsa + libkern and can access msdos/ffsv1/ffsv2 partitions on the SD card via MINI IPC.

TODO - find some way (without a keyboard) to be able to tell it to boot a backup kernel.

#NetBSD 🚩

@philpem I got the source in around 1999 after it was ported to #FreeBSD and I got it working on #NetBSD. I don't think it came via RISCiX, I think the chronologies wouldn't work

Which of the usual suspects will have the first dmesg sent in from the new Steam cube computer machine thingie, #OpenBSD, #NetBSD, or #FreeBSD?

Since, one Java application (OpenHAB) is used on my #NetBSD server I met with huge swap usage — always near 512 Mb of swap was used. This wasn't good, since I'm using SSD — I was afraid that my old SSD will wear out and die, but for now I don't have money to buy a new SSD disk

Tweaked Java initial and max heap sizes (-Xms, -Xmx) and some settings for GC, to call it more often in trade of OpenHAB responsiveness — obviously it didn't help. Then I tweaked NetBSD memory management to force system to use swap only if RAM is almost full — by this cool guide: https://imil.net/NetBSD/mirror/vm_tune.html

And it doesn't help too. Suddenly for me, but looks like these settings were applied to the kernel after reboot, not after call to sysctl.

So, for now I have a system with 800-900 Mb RAM in use and ZERO swap in use

#BSD #memoryManagement

RE: https://mastodon.bsd.cafe/@gumnos/115551343732704834

This is a great post.
It's not "against" something - it just explains why Tim prefers to use the BSDs.

#RunBSD #FreeBSD #NetBSD #OpenBSD #DragonflyBSD #IT

https://blog.netbsd.org/tnf/entry/gsoc2025_bubblewrap_sandboxing
#Bubblewrap #BSD #Security

Thinking to move this (low-end) laptop away from Linux…

Options:

• #FreeBSD (UFS)
• #NetBSD
• #OpenBSD

I can use #NomadBSD to check compatibility hardware with FreeBSD but I am not aware of any "live a la Linux" ISO version for the other two…

Another thing that is confusing me is: I know that FreeBSD use a partition table similar to Linux, while OpenBSD and NetBSD by default create a lot of partitions; NetBSD also uses letters a MS-DOS for partitions and I am not used anymore to handle partitions this way.

Any recommendation or suggestion is welcomed!

Thanks... 🙏

This Isn't a Battle

After reading a post describing the FreeBSD community as 'toxic', I share a different perspective. This isn't a battle. It's a reflection on coexistence, the original Open Source spirit, and the quiet richness of taking a different path.

https://my-notes.dragas.net/2025/11/14/this-isnt-a-battle/

#MyNotes #IT #SysAdmin #FreeBSD #NetBSD #OpenBSD #Linux #OpenSource

This Isn't a Battle https://lobste.rs/s/l4vg9a #freebsd #linux #netbsd #openbsd
https://my-notes.dragas.net/2025/11/14/this-isnt-a-battle/

Bonjour! #RUNBSD in Paris, FR!

We just opened our second location in France. Paris comes now in addition to Roubaix in France which has been added by @gyptazy. More BSD, more locations, more fun with #FreeBSD,
#OpenBSD, #NetBSD,#SmolBSD and many other ones - happy learning and testing!

#opensource #FreeVPS #VPS #VPSHosting #Box #BoxyBSD

This is so annoying. I can't get #NetBSD to #UEFI-Boot. Neither the install image on a USB stick, nor the CD-image, nor from the NVMe disks. Legacy boot works, but UEFI boot only gives me a blank screen with a cursor. I could set it up to Legacy boot, but that feels so wrong.

In theory, it should be so simple: UEFI understands GPT partition tables and can read FAT, so it reads the bootx64.efi file from efi/boot/ on a FAT partition. No magic two-stage bootloaders, reading hard-coded disk blocks or any of that nonsense. And yet, that old nonsense works, and UEFI, annoyingly often, does not.

Everything that is wrong with PC legacy.

Kind of silly but I added support for the Wii's AES engine to #NetBSD today. The Wi-Fi stack can use it along with the cryptographic disk driver cgd(4).

A quick test of cgd(4) on a USB flash drive in AES-128-CBC mode shows 4.4 MB/s with the software implementation and 15 MB/s with hardware acceleration.

https://mail-index.netbsd.org/source-changes/2025/11/11/msg158907.html

RE: https://mastodon.social/@pitrh/115509098143295810

The BSD conferences are magical. The atmosphere is friendly. It's a family - a good one - with different views but a common goal: making great things, making smart choices in a positive environment.

#RunBSD #FreeBSD #NetBSD #OpenBSD #EuroBSDCon #BSDCan #AsiaBSDCon

New #NetBSD https://releng.netbsd.org/bulktracker/ release for those who celebrate :)

https://github.com/bsiegert/BulkTracker/releases/tag/v2025.11

Hey #NetBSD 🚩community! There's been discussion over the years about whether the NetBSD project should have its own unique mascot (separate from the general BSD Beastie).

I outlined a proposal for one back in 2021, including some concepts:
https://mail-index.netbsd.org/netbsd-advocacy/2021/01/21/msg000828.html

What's the general feeling today? #RunBSD #OpenSource #FreeBSD #OpenBSD #DragonflyBSD

GSOC 2025 Reports: Using bubblewrap to add sandboxing to NetBSD https://lobste.rs/s/ojxoor #netbsd
https://blog.netbsd.org/tnf/entry/gsoc2025_bubblewrap_sandboxing

Lil guide about OpenHAB4 installation into the NetBSD sandbox.

https://eugene-andrienko.com/it/2025/11/07/install-openhab4-to-netbsd.html

#NetBSD #OpenHAB #HomeAutomation

"What is BSD? Come to a conference to find out!" It's where the Internet comes from!
https://nxdomain.no/~peter/what_is_bsd_come_to_a_conference_to_find_out.html
https://medium.com/@peter.hansteen/what-is-bsd-come-to-a-conference-to-find-out-06acd7d77fd8
https://bsdly.blogspot.com/2025/11/what-is-bsd-come-to-conference-to-find.html
#BSD #Unix #FreeBSD #OpenBSBD #NetBSD #DragonFlyBSD #Freesoftware #Libresoftware #BSDlicense #permissivelicensing

But VNC'ing into a small #NetBSD VM and launching X11 and Xeyes is really funny.

I missed Xeyes for some reason... 👀

#Stephen made a new video about #NetBSD :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RjuWSUnxug

Why and how we're migrating many of our servers from Linux to the BSDs

My BSDCan 2025 presentation, PeerTube and YouTube links:

PeerTube: https://tube.bsd.cafe/w/x4oPuHpCJK3qWFfdZtr7hd

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnVp25-6Qao

#RunBSD #FreeBSD #NetBSD #OpenBSD #BSDCan #ISolveProblems #Linux

The new @BoxyBSD platform gained some new features for a better #BSD experience!

* The new portal now also finally supports VNC access to your BSD based VPS instances!

* You can finally select ISO files which offers you even to install any BSD or #OpenSolaris version from scratch or to install your VPS instance based on your personal needs without relying on a ready2use image. More images can be added upon request quickly. Simply get in touch with @gyptazy

* You can now get up to 2 free VPS instances to test and evaluate HA setups, multi-region setups etc.

* Extended DN42 peering (where you can also use your DN42 IPv4 addresses)

This is created by @gyptazy and if you're interested into more information, just come to the FOSDEM 2026 for a chat!

#FreeBSD #OpenBSD #NetBSD #SmolBSD #MidnightBSD #DragonflyBSD #RUNBSD #FreeVPS #Hosting #IPv6 #DN42 #community #opensource #fosdem

Alt...

The new BoxyBSD platform now offers VNC access and ISO selection which brings in several new possibilities for users.

Second time was easier than the first (plus using a faster machine helped); upgraded PostgreSQL from 14 to 16 on #NetBSD, for a #Zabbix server v7 on a Pi.
20 minutes to dump the database, install new PG version, re-import and re-start.

Alt...

Temperature chart, missing 20 minutes.

I dearly love #Slackware, don't get me wrong, but I have to say that, compared to #NetBSD it feels a bit on the heavier side, if you see what I mean...

Then again, I am doing a "slackpkg update" on a freshly installed VM, so there is that... 🤓

By the way, NetBSD is still looking for money to complete their 2025 fundraiser, so donate here: https://www.netbsd.org/donations/#how-to-donate

This is part of my weekend fun. Coffee stains included.
The two Raspberry Pis are powered by NetBSD, the mini PC by illumos/SmartOS, and the two APU boards by FreeBSD.

#NetBSD #FreeBSD #illumos #SmartOS #IT #SysAdmin #HomeLab #RaspberryPI

Alt...

A top-down shot of a small computer setup on a tan surface with some visible coffee stains. In the upper left, a silver mini-PC is partially visible, with a black USB stick plugged into its side. Below the mini-PC, a black USB to TTL serial adapter is connected to and powering a Raspberry Pi A+. The Raspberry Pi Zero W is connected to and driving a 2-relay module. The Raspberry Pis are running NetBSD, the mini-PC is running llumos/SmartOS, and the two, slightly visible APU devices are running FreeBSD.

@tg9541 @stuartl
https://twitter.com/oshimyja

Uses touchscreen with #NetBSD https://www.netbsd.org/gallery/screenshots/oshimaya-drawing.jpg

But I guess if hardware is not supported it will be harder to get it working.

A repurposed x86 laptop getting #NetBSD 11 beta via sysupgrade:

$ sysupgrade fetch
sysupgrade: I: Downloading https://nycdn.netbsd.org/pub/NetBSD-daily/netbsd-11/20251028150036Z/amd64/binary/sets/base.tar.xz into /var/cache/sysupgrade