Installing FreeBSD 13 with VirtualBox over Windows 10 as Host (Part 2)

This section is particularly visual, it is warmly recommended a client, like Lagrange, able to show properly images.

Introduction

This second part is mainly dedicated to the VirtualBox setup and the FreeBSD installation, it is principally a visual walk-through based on screenshots.

I am not going to explain very much about VirtualBox, either its installation or how to install the extension-pack, if you don't know anything about it you should read the official documentation through links provided on part 01:

My recommendation is: if you have a Windows computer at home you should first try this guide on your personal computer before.

To leave lesser trace as possible about my activities I installed VirtualBox without creating any registry association, without creating launchers or anything on the same line. Check the screenshot below:

Otherwise the screenshots are quite self-explanatory.

VirtualBox Setup

After the installation the first step is creating a virtual machine by pressing "NEW" on the blue star on top of the GUI.

Create Virtual Machine

(here starts the walk-through by screenshots)

Choose a name for the virtual machine (from now on VM); Chose the folder where saving it, use a good USB memory stick not the computer disks; select the VM type (BSD) and the right FreeBSD version (64BIT); assign the memory, 4096MB is recommended 2048 are fine; lastly "create a new disk".

Create Virtual Hard Disk

Virtual disk preparation:

• Step 1: from my experience 32GB is an adequate size; the default setup are fine, just select "Fixed size" to get better performance.

• Step 2: disk creation can take several minutes depending by your CPU power, just be patient.

System

Motherboard tab - if you can dispose of 4GB of ram is highly recommended, otherwise 2GB should be still fine.

Processor tab - 4 CPU's make the daily use better.

Acceleration tab - use "default".

Display

Screen tab - do not enable 3D acceleration.

Storage

Click to the CD icon on the right top corner to select the FreeBSD image.

Audio

I personally don't need it, everything is media or streaming is going to be watched/listened through my mobile.

Network

Leave the network enabled, it is going to be used one time only.

Serial Ports

Never used.

USB

Remember you need the "Extensions-pack"; Activate USB 3.0 (xHCI) for better performance; use the plus icon button on the right to add your mobile (must be previously connected to the PC and properly setup).

Developers option and USB debugging must be enabled!

Shared Folders

You need the "guest additions" installed to enable this feature (part 03); I use an external a Samsung 128GB pen-drive to save stuff from internet, which is also the storage where my virtual machine is located.

I use a 128GB pen-drive to store my virtual-machine, I also copied the VirtualBox folder from "C:\Program Files\Oracle" into the pen-drive and I run my virtual machine from the pen-drive. If I would run VirtualBox from the PC it would not see my pen-drive VMs

General (view)

A brief recap with the setup completed.

FreeBSD Installation

Now the VM is available on the left of the GUI; you can select it and press start, it will launch the FreeBSD ISO that is already inserted in the virtual CD-ROM:

Do not hesitate and run the VM.

Boot loader

Welcome into the cool ASCII-Artistic FreeBSD loader, click enter to start the installation.

Preparing the disk

It is a good practice to protect your data encrypting the hard disk, even a virtual one, before to start the installation process it is better to write casual data to create noise as an additional layer of protection.

VirtualBox has an internal function to encrypt virtual disk, I have never used it; I prefer using the tools provided by the OS itself.

This is a kind of pre-setup installation rather than click install we are going to live mode, use "root" as user to go live.

Geom is the utility to check and manage disks on FreeBSD.

geom disk list

writing on the disk, it requires several time:

dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/ada0 bs=1M status=progress

If you want a better work you may use /dev/urandom but it will take even longer time.

dd if=/dev/urandom of=/dev/ada0 bs=512 status=progress

When it finish you must reboot.

reboot

Install

The VM rebooted and you already pressed enter at the boot screen.

Install.

Keymap Selection

I use the default "US" you must chose the one you need.

Set Hostname

I always recommend to use something that may be confused with the hostname of your company.

Distribution Select

Follow the screenshot, however do not forget that everything is extremely well documented in the "FreeBSD Handbook"

Partitioning

Follow the screenshot.

ZFS Configuration

We are going to encrypt disk and swap, arrange the settings to match the screenshot.

(Follow the screenshot)

(Follow the screenshot)

(Follow the screenshot)

Use a strong and memorable passphrase and store it in a safe place.

(Nothing to do)

Root Password

Add the root password (twice).

Network Configuration

Let the installer set-up the nick even though we are going to deactivate it later.

(Follow the screenshot)

(Follow the screenshot)

(Follow the screenshot)

DNS may vary, just press "OK".

Time Zone

(find your...)

Time & Date

(skip)

(skip)

System Configuration

(Follow the screenshot)

System Hardening

I didn't have any particular requirements, this is up to you, check out the Handbook your want learn more.

Add User Accounts

(yes)

Follow the screenshot, however use your favorite "username" and do not forgot to add these groups as well:

wheel video operator

Add another user? NO!

Final Configuration

Always useful installing the Handbook.

Apply configuration and exit from the installer.

NO.

Complete

Enter in "Live CD" to turn off the VM.

Login: "root" then type:

poweroff

Reboot

Now before to reboot you must remove the ISO from the same place where you mounted it before, you must also deactivate the Network Controller since the point of everything is avoid to use the internet connection provided by your employer.

you must also deactivate the Network Controller since the point of everything is avoid to use the internet connection provided by your employer.

If you forgot to remove the ISO from the virtual you will run the installer again and you must go again in "Live CD" mode and "poweroff" the system alternatively you can press "RIGHT-CTRL + H".

Wrapping This Up!

The installation was made, congratulations.

We can now move to part 3: tuning!

Tuning is always my favorite part of any Linux/BSD installation!

For comments or suggestion write me at: