Re: Pre-install Setup Questions

On 5/17/26 08:48, John Gaskill wrote:
> On Friday, May 15, 2026 at 08:06:16 PM PDT, David Christensen wrote:
>> The simple answer is to download and burn the FreeBSD installer 
>> memstick image file.
> 
> I tried that first, and it requires an Internet connection in order 
> to conclude.
> 
> I do not want to connect this box the the Internet until after it is 
> completely setup, tested and secured to the degree I need it
> secured.
>
> Rufus says it can transfer the image to a memory stick,
> but I am unsure what the result might be.


AIUI you use Rufus to put one or more bootable ISO images onto a USB 
stick.  Then you boot the USB stick, Rufus will give you a menu of ISO 
images on the USB stick, and let you pick which one to boot.


> It might be better and easier if FreeBSD created and added a 
> download image of the dvd1.iso with its own unique SHA256. With the 
> availabilty of inexpensive, high capacity USB memory sticks 
> widespread, such an option would be easier, cheaper and more secure 
> for everyone.
> 
> Just a suggestion.


On 5/17/26 10:08, John Gaskill wrote:
> The file I downloaded to my personal laptop, and attempted to 
> install (after copying it to a USB memory stick and verifying the 
> CRC SHA256) is listed as FreeBSD-15.0-RELEASE-amd64-memstick.img 
> 1560400384.
> 
> My expectation after reading the Handbook in advance of the 
> installation attempt was that this img file would have all the files 
> on it necessary to install FreeBSD and the Ports collection so I 
> could have a successful, secure installation.
> 
> The installation menu popup indicated that a number of optional 
> security and debugging packages were only available via the Internet 
> and provided a series of screens requesting network i.p. numbers. I 
> abandoned the installation at that point and reread all the 
> documents again. I learned that the memstick image file was only 
> behaving as planned, and moved on to the dvd1.iso.
> 
> Since debugging and security are inherent to a good installation, 
> not being able to install them directly did not seem safe to me. 
> Perhaps it's just excessive paranoia on my part when it comes to the 
> Internet, AI and the ability of criminal types of all kinds to worm 
> their way into your computer if given the opportunity.


Have you tried installing from the dvd1 ISO?  Does it have everything
you want?


I wanted to suggest that, to avoid the Internet, buy installation media. 
  But, the links seem to be down (?):

     https://freebsd.free.org/where/

     Section "Purchase FreeBSD Media"


David