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OpenBSD 101

N

n0cmonkey

Elite Member
OpenBSD is an ultra-secure, freely available, multi-platform BSD-based UNIX-like operating system. And is arguably the most secure operating system in the world.

After using OpenBSD for over 9 years I decided to place online some useful information for first time users of OpenBSD.

The information here covers the current release of OpenBSD. And only the current release of OpenBSD should be used since it's not recommended running older versions because security updates are only provided for the two most recent released versions.

EDIT: I have no affiliation with this, other than finding it on the web and wanting to share it. This is not my work. 🙂
 
Thanks N0c...something like this is perfect for someone like me.
I've been using Linux for quite awhile and though no expert I can get around pretty well. I've thought about "checking out" the BSD's but found the water's to be a little too cold for jumping in. Thanks for warming them up a bit 🙂
 
Non-monolithic kernel...urge to go fanatical rising...rising... 😉

I think that most, or if they don't know they should now, that of the BSDs OpenBSD is the OS for security minded folk. At least for OOTB configuration. 🙂
 
Very good.

A few suggestions:
-I found the install guide on the openbsd faqs better than yours (and it's more up to date 😉)
-I'd appreciate more explanation about some stuff like CVSup instead of just a "do this, then do that" kinda thing. Just so I understand what I'm doing.
-keep adding more stuff!

Thanks 🙂
 
Oh, I didn't write this. Someone else did. You can tell by the author recommending bash, lsof, and pico. 😉

I was just passing it along. Obviously, the official docs will be better. 😉
 
Originally posted by: TGS
Non-monolithic kernel...urge to go fanatical rising...rising... 😉

I think that most, or if they don't know they should now, that of the BSDs OpenBSD is the OS for security minded folk. At least for OOTB configuration. 🙂
Click to expand...

What OSes don't have monolithic kernels? Hurd, and it isn't exactly user ready. OS X, but it's expensive and runs on a limited amount of hardware. Darwin, I guess, but what is it without Aqua? 😛

NT is supposed to have a partially microkernel kernel, I think, but it isn't unixy. Monolithic kernels are still the way to go.
 
Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
Originally posted by: TGS
monolithic kernel...urge to go fanatical rising...rising... 😉

I think that most, or if they don't know they should now, that of the BSDs OpenBSD is the OS for security minded folk. At least for OOTB configuration. 🙂
Click to expand...

What OSes don't have monolithic kernels? Hurd, and it isn't exactly user ready. OS X, but it's expensive and runs on a limited amount of hardware. Darwin, I guess, but what is it without Aqua? 😛

NT is supposed to have a partially microkernel kernel, I think, but it isn't unixy. Monolithic kernels are still the way to go.
Click to expand...

Fixed! The insanity reaches deep with this one... 🙂
 
Heh, now I look kinda dumb 😕

It sure did look like you were taking credit for it. There were even references to monkeys on the site 😛
 
Just trying to play the fanatical micro vs mono card. 🙂 Though I have no preference, I've also been a user of the hybrid/micros myself. Just never felt the need to jump ship on a BSD variant. Though long ago at the beginning of my geekdom, I swore I tried my hand at freebsd, and was prompty smote down with a text based setup.
 
Originally posted by: kamper
Heh, now I look kinda dumb 😕

It sure did look like you were taking credit for it. There were even references to monkeys on the site 😛
Click to expand...

I should have mentioned in the original post I wasn't affiliated with it. It kinda makes sense. 😉
 
Well it's kinda difficult to play the micro vs mono kernel arguement.. it's been settled pretty well.

If fact the only modern (currently developed) system that I know of that uses a microkernel is GNU Hurd.

(Neither OS X or NT uses microkernels, btw. OS X uses code from a obsolete kernel that happens to be a microkernel, but thats not the same thing as actually HAVING a microkernel.)

edit:

Oh ya, before I forget:

OBSD rocks.
 
Originally posted by: TGS
Just trying to play the fanatical micro vs mono card. 🙂 Though I have no preference, I've also been a user of the hybrid/micros myself. Just never felt the need to jump ship on a BSD variant. Though long ago at the beginning of my geekdom, I swore I tried my hand at freebsd, and was prompty smote down with a text based setup.
Click to expand...

FreeBSD's had a menu based setup for years. NetBSD uses curses, I think. OpenBSD is strictly text. Hell, I think it's an sh script. 😉
 
Yes, but it still required me to know what hardware was in my box and how to manually configure for a network install. Things that are trivialnow, though at the start warranted a "huh?" from the unwashed.

Actually now that I think about it, only RH/Fedora seems to have a real graphical installer. :laugh:
 
Originally posted by: TGS
Yes, but it still required me to know what hardware was in my box and how to manually configure for a network install. Things that are trivialnow, though at the start warranted a "huh?" from the unwashed.

Actually now that I think about it, only RH/Fedora seems to have a real graphical installer. :laugh:
Click to expand...

The BSD developers don't seem to care if they convert the unwashed masses or not. 😉
 
With regards to the "Tips and Tricks" section:

  • It is no longer necessary to turn on the swap encryption, it's done by default.
  • bash isn't necessary, ksh (pdksh with a lot of modifications) can do most of what bash does. It's tough to use bash these days. ;(
  • Don't use floppies.
  • xntpd isn't necessary, OpenNTPD is installed by default. If you need better time syncronization than OpenNTPD is capable of, then go ahead and install xntpd. If not, use the smaller, integrated client.
  • Remember your machine should be set to GMT. 🙂
  • lsof probably isn't necessary, fstat will work for most people.
 
Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
With regards to the "Tips and Tricks" section:

  • It is no longer necessary to turn on the swap encryption, it's done by default.
Click to expand...


  • Well, I normally don't take the time to respond to critiques of my site...but couldn't resist when I saw this forum thread from my web logs:

    http://www.wbglinks.net/cgi-bin/admin.cgi

    But the above quote text is incorrect. OpenBSD 3.7 DOES NOT encrypt swap on the default install. And probably will never do so.

    *cough *cough and the other "points" could be easily debated, but I digress. To each their own.


    WBG Links
    www.wbglinks.net

    ps fstat is weak, and blows monkeys.
 
Originally posted by: WBG Links
Well, I normally don't take the time to respond to critiques of my site...but couldn't resist when I saw this forum thread from my web logs:

http://www.wbglinks.net/cgi-bin/admin.cgi

But the above quote text is incorrect. OpenBSD 3.7 DOES NOT encrypt swap on the default install. And probably will never do so.
Click to expand...

I didn't mean 3.7, but with versions afterwards. I should have made that more clear. :beer:

*cough *cough and the other "points" could be easily debated, but I digress. To each their own.
Click to expand...

You're right, I displayed my preferences there. That's it. It wasn't a critique or anything, just some options.


WBG Links
www.wbglinks.net

ps fstat is weak, and blows monkeys.
Click to expand...

Theo says similar things about lsof. 😉

Nice site, by the way.
 
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