niggaz
Sorry, but I can’t assist with that.
gopota, do you know if it possible in vbox to mirror the entire disk of some installed freebsd the samely inside vbox towards attached usb device?
Yes, you can mirror the entire disk of an installed FreeBSD inside a VirtualBox virtual machine to an attached USB device. This process typically involves creating a disk image of the FreeBSD virtual machine’s disk and then copying that image to the USB device. Here are the general steps to achieve this:

1. Prepare the USB Device: Ensure your USB device is properly attached to your host machine and recognized by the host operating system.

2. Identify the VirtualBox Disk: Determine the file path of the virtual disk used by your FreeBSD virtual machine. You can find this information in the VirtualBox Manager under the Storage settings of your VM.

3. Attach the USB Device to the VM:
- Open VirtualBox.
- Select your FreeBSD VM.
- Go to Settings -> USB.
- Enable the USB Controller and add a USB filter for your USB device.

4. Boot the FreeBSD VM and Identify the USB Device:
- Start the FreeBSD VM.
- Use dmesg or camcontrol devlist to identify the USB device (e.g., /dev/daX).

5. Create a Disk Image of the VM’s Disk:
- Shut down the VM.
- On the host system, use VirtualBox’s VBoxManage to clone the disk. The general command is:


     VBoxManage clonehd “path_to_vdi_or_vmdk_file” “output_image_path”


     Replace "path_to_vdi_or_vmdk_file" with the path to your FreeBSD VM’s virtual disk and "output_image_path" with where you want the disk image to be saved.

6. Copy the Disk Image to the USB Device:
   - You can use a utility like dd from within the FreeBSD VM to copy the disk image directly to the USB device:


     dd if=output_image_path of=/dev/daX bs=1M status=progress


     Replace output_image_path with the path to the disk image you created and /dev/daX with the correct device identifier for your USB drive.

### Important Considerations:
- Ensure any data on the USB device is backed up before proceeding as this process will overwrite the contents of the USB device.
- Be cautious with device identifiers (/dev/daX, etc.) to avoid overwriting the wrong disk.
- The process might take a significant amount of time depending on the size of your disk image and speed of the USB connection.

With these steps, you should be able to mirror the disk of a FreeBSD installation from a VirtualBox VM to an attached USB device.

and then? you boot it in bare metal and fail?
Booting a cloned FreeBSD system on bare metal from a USB device involves several key considerations to ensure the system boots successfully. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the steps and things to check:

### Post-Cloning Steps

1. Check Bootable Flag on the USB Device:
- Ensure the USB device’s partition is set as bootable. You can use tools like gpart on FreeBSD, parted on Linux, or Disk Management on Windows to set the partition as bootable.

2. Install the Bootloader on the USB Device:
- The dd utility might not always carry over the bootloader correctly. After cloning, you may need to re-install the FreeBSD bootloader on the USB device. Boot into the FreeBSD VM and use the following commands:


     boot0cfg -B /dev/daX    # For MBR
     gpart bootcode -b /boot/pmbr /dev/daX  # For GPT with protective MBR



3. Correct Device Identifiers:
   - If your FreeBSD installation relies on device-specific identifiers (like /dev/ada0), ensure the fstab file (/etc/fstab) lists the correct root device. Using UUIDs or labels can help make the system more portable.

### Booting Considerations on Bare Metal

1. BIOS/UEFI Settings:
   - Ensure your BIOS/UEFI settings support booting from USB. You may need to enable USB boot support or change the boot order to prioritize the USB device.
   
2. Hardware Compatibility:
   - Remember that the VM hardware differs from physical hardware. Ensure FreeBSD has drivers for the hardware you intend to run it on (network adapters, storage controllers, etc.).

3. Initial Boot and Configuration:
   - On the first boot, watch for errors related to hardware mismatches or device identifiers. Be ready to drop into single-user mode to make necessary adjustments.

### Example Procedure

1. Clone the Disk:
   - Assuming your VM disk is vdisk.vdi and your USB device is /dev/sdb (ensure correct device to avoid data loss):


     VBoxManage clonemedium disk “vdisk.vdi” “freebsd_clone.img” --format RAW
     dd if=freebsd_clone.img of=/dev/sdb bs=1M status=progress



2. Set Partition Bootable and Install Bootloader:
   - After cloning:


     gpart set -a active -i 1 daX    # Replace daX with the correct device node


   - Boot into the FreeBSD VM and install the bootloader:


     # For MBR
     boot0cfg -B /dev/daX
     # For GPT
     gpart bootcode -b /boot/pmbr -p /boot/gptboot -i 1 /dev/daX



3. Update fstab:
   - Ensure /etc/fstab on the USB device refers to the correct partition by label or UUID:


     # Example using labels
     /dev/label/rootfs   /   ufs   rw   1   1



4. Boot from USB Device:
   - Insert the USB device into the bare metal PC.
   - Enter BIOS/UEFI setup and set the USB device as the primary boot device.
   - Reboot the system and monitor the boot process.

### Troubleshooting

- Bootloader Issues: Ensure the bootloader is correctly installed. Re-install it if necessary.
- Filesystem Errors: Run fsck to check for and fix any filesystem errors.
- Hardware Driver Issues: Boot into single-user mode to load necessary drivers or reconfigure network settings.

By closely following these steps and ensuring the USB device is correctly set up, you should be able to successfully boot a FreeBSD system cloned from a VirtualBox VM on bare metal.

you cannot utilize grub bootloader with freebsd, right?
Actually, using GRUB as a bootloader for FreeBSD is entirely possible, though FreeBSD typically uses its own bootloaders (such as boot0 for MBR or freebsd-boot for GPT setups). GRUB can be configured to boot FreeBSD as well. Here’s how you can set up GRUB to boot FreeBSD:

### Preparing GRUB for FreeBSD

1. Install GRUB on the USB Device:
- Assuming the USB device is /dev/sdX, install GRUB on it. This can be done from a Linux system.


     sudo grub-install --target=i386-pc --recheck --boot-directory=/mnt/usb/boot /dev/sdX


     Ensure that /mnt/usb is the mount point where your USB device partitions are mounted.

2. Configure GRUB:
   - Create or edit the GRUB configuration file (/mnt/usb/boot/grub/grub.cfg).


     set timeout=10
     set default=0

     menuentry “FreeBSD” {
         set root=(hd0,msdos1)
         kfreebsd /boot/loader
     }

     # If GPT and utilizing superuser mode
     menuentry “FreeBSD (GPT)” {
         insmod ufs2
         search --label freebsd-root --set=root
         kfreebsd /boot/loader
         set kFreeBSD.vfs.root.mountfrom=ufs:/dev/ufs/freebsd-root
     }



     Adjust (hd0,msdos1) to match your partition layout. hd0 is the first disk, and msdos1 is the first MBR partition. For GPT, you’ll change the referencing accordingly, and using labels can simplify managing device names.

### Example for Booting FreeBSD

1. Partition and Prepare the USB Device:
   - Ensure that the FreeBSD partition is set up correctly on the USB device, with the necessary file system and bootloader files in place (/boot/loader).

2. Mount USB and Install GRUB:
   - From a Linux system:


     # Mount the USB partition
     sudo mount /dev/sdX1 /mnt/usb

     # Install GRUB to the USB device
     sudo grub-install --target=i386-pc --boot-directory=/mnt/usb/boot /dev/sdX

     # Create the GRUB configuration file
     sudo nano /mnt/usb/boot/grub/grub.cfg



3. Edit grub.cfg:


   set timeout=10
   set default=0

   menuentry “FreeBSD” {
       set root=(hd0,msdos1)
       kfreebsd /boot/loader
   }

   menuentry “FreeBSD (GPT)” {
       insmod ufs2
       search --label freebsd-root --set=root
       kfreebsd /boot/loader
       set kFreeBSD.vfs.root.mountfrom=ufs:/dev/ufs/freebsd-root
   }



### Finalizing and Booting

1. Unmount USB:


   sudo umount /mnt/usb



2. Boot from USB:
   - Insert the USB into the target machine.
   - Enter the BIOS/UEFI setup and set the USB device as the primary boot device.
   - Reboot the machine and select the FreeBSD entry from the GRUB menu.

### Troubleshooting

If the system does not boot correctly:
- Double-check the GRUB configuration to ensure the correct root device and paths are used.
- Verify that the FreeBSD partition and /boot/loader are accessible and correctly referenced in grub.cfg.
- Ensure UFS/2 (Unix File System) support is present in GRUB (usually auto-detected).

By following these steps, you should be able to use GRUB as a bootloader for a FreeBSD system installed on a USB device, making it possible to boot the system on bare metal.

this is actual problem here that freebsd prefers uefi or gpt, while linuxes booting perfectly in mbr and freebsd totally fails.
You’re correct that FreeBSD typically prefers UEFI and GPT, especially on modern systems, whereas many Linux distributions can easily support both MBR and GPT partitioning schemes. However, FreeBSD can still work with MBR and legacy BIOS, but it requires correct configuration. Let’s go over a step-by-step method to set up FreeBSD on a USB device with an MBR partition scheme and legacy BIOS boot.

### Step-by-Step Guide to Boot FreeBSD from USB with MBR

#### 1. Prepare the USB Device

Start by ensuring your USB device is properly formatted and partitioned using MBR. You can do this with a variety of tools (gpart, fdisk, etc.). This can be done from a FreeBSD system or another Unix-like OS.


gpart destroy -F /dev/daX
gpart create -s MBR /dev/daX
gpart add -t freebsd /dev/daX
gpart set -a active -i 1 /dev/daX
gpart bootcode -b /boot/boot0 /dev/daX



Replace /dev/daX with your USB device identifier.

#### 2. Create FreeBSD Filesystem on USB

After creating the partition table, create a UFS file system on the new partition.


newfs /dev/daXs1


Replace /dev/daXs1 with your specific device identifier.

#### 3. Install FreeBSD to USB Device

You can use bsdinstall to install FreeBSD directly onto the USB device. Boot a FreeBSD installer and when prompted, choose the USB device as your installation target. Alternatively, you can use dd to clone an existing FreeBSD installation.

#### 4. Ensure Correct Bootloader is Installed

Make sure the FreeBSD bootloader is properly installed. Even though MBR is used, the FreeBSD boot mechanism can be complex.


gpart bootcode -b /boot/boot /dev/daX



#### 5. Edit /etc/fstab to Use the Correct Device

Ensure that /etc/fstab in your FreeBSD installation references the correct device. Using UUIDs or labels is often preferable for portability:


# Example fstab using device label
/dev/ufs/rootfs  /  ufs  rw  1  1



#### 6. Verify Partition and File System

Double-check that the correct partitions and file systems are set up.


ls /dev/daX*



Output should reflect the new partition and proper file system labeling.

### Boot from USB Device

1. Insert the USB device into the target machine.
2. Enter BIOS/UEFI settings and ensure it supports legacy BIOS/MBR booting.
3. Set the USB device as the primary boot device.

### Troubleshooting

If the system does not boot correctly:
- Check for Bootloader Installation: Ensure the FreeBSD bootloader is correctly installed. You may need to reinstall with boot0cfg or gpart bootcode.
- Device Identifiers: Verify /etc/fstab is correctly set up for the USB device; incorrect identifiers can prevent booting.
- Boot Order: Ensure the BIOS is set to boot from the USB device first.
- Legacy BIOS Support: Verify that the BIOS supports booting in legacy mode and that it’s enabled.

#### Example Scenario

Imagine your USB device is /dev/da0.

1. Partition and Set Up the USB Device:


    gpart destroy -F /dev/da0
    gpart create -s MBR /dev/da0
    gpart add -t freebsd /dev/da0
    gpart set -a active -i 1 /dev/da0
    gpart bootcode -b /boot/boot0 /dev/da0
    newfs /dev/da0s1



    Use bsdinstall or dd to install FreeBSD on /dev/da0s1.

2. Check and Edit fstab:


    echo “/dev/da0s1 / ufs rw 1 1” > /mnt/etc/fstab



3. Finalize Installation and Attempt Boot:


    umount /mnt



    Insert the USB on the target machine, ensure BIOS legacy mode is on, and set to boot from USB first.

Following these steps should guide you to successfully boot FreeBSD from a USB device using the MBR partition scheme and legacy BIOS.

there strange thing I found in freebsd that it totally rejecting native unix filesys ufs. some absolutely weird sheet happening there.

the formatting layout for ufs is something as:
gpt://
boot:1MB
/ main ufs partition
some SWAP space


while in linuxes you just dumbly doing a grub boot partition and an entire rest of disk space for root, simply.
I understand that working with UFS and FreeBSD’s partitioning scheme can seem complex compared to Linux’s more straightforward disk layouts. Let’s walk through setting up a FreeBSD system on a USB device using GPT, UFS, and booting with either the FreeBSD bootloader or GRUB.

### Setting Up FreeBSD on USB with GPT and UFS

#### 1. Preparing the USB Device

1. Initialize the USB device using GPT:


    gpart destroy -F /dev/daX
    gpart create -s GPT /dev/daX



2. Create partitions:
   
    For GPT:
    - Boot partition (512KB or 1MB)
    - Root partition
    - Swap partition


    gpart add -t efi -s 512K -l boot0 /dev/daX
    gpart add -t freebsd-ufs -l rootfs /dev/daX
    gpart add -t freebsd-swap -s 4G -l swap /dev/daX



    This setup assumes the boot partition, main UFS partition, and swap space.

#### 2. Install Filesystems

1. Create UFS filesystem on the root partition:
   


    newfs -U /dev/gpt/rootfs



2. Install the loader on the boot partition (this is necessary for UEFI systems):


    newfs_msdos /dev/gpt/boot0
    mount_msdosfs /dev/gpt/boot0 /mnt
    mkdir -p /mnt/EFI/BOOT
    cp /boot/boot1.efi /mnt/EFI/BOOT/BOOTX64.EFI
    umount /mnt



    For UEFI systems, the loader needs to be installed to the EFI partition.

#### 3. Install FreeBSD

1. Mount the filesystem and install everything:


    mount /dev/gpt/rootfs /mnt
    bsdinstall



    When prompted during the installation process, choose /mnt as the mount point for your new filesystem.

#### 4. Configure Bootloader for GPT

If you used UEFI, the EFI bootloader should work, but if you want to ensure compatibility, you can do:

1. Install the standard bootcode:


    gpart bootcode -p /boot/gptboot -i 1 /dev/daX



    This ensures that your GPT-based USB stick has the necessary bootcode for FreeBSD.

### Using GRUB as a Bootloader

If you prefer to use GRUB for booting FreeBSD, here’s how you can configure it:

1. Install GRUB on the USB device (execute these commands from a Linux system):


    sudo grub-install --target=x86_64-efi --efi-directory=/mnt/usb --boot-directory=/mnt/usb/boot --removable /dev/sdX



2. Configure GRUB for FreeBSD:

    Create a grub.cfg file in /mnt/usb/boot/grub/:


    set timeout=10
    set default=0

    menuentry “FreeBSD” {
        set root=(hd0,gpt2)
        kfreebsd /boot/loader
    }



    Adjust (hd0,gpt2) to match your partition layout, where GPT2 is the root partition.

### Summary

By setting up the partitions correctly and ensuring the proper bootloader is installed, you can boot FreeBSD from a USB device using GPT and UFS. Using either FreeBSD bootloader or GRUB, you should be able to achieve a flexible setup that aligns with your experience on Linux.

- MBR vs. GPT: GPT is generally more modern and preferred for large disks and UEFI systems, while MBR can be simpler and is still suitable for legacy BIOS systems.
- Bootloader: While FreeBSD uses its own bootloader by default, GRUB can be configured to support FreeBSD, providing a unified boot interface if you’re used to Linux.
- Filesystem: UFS is the native filesystem for FreeBSD, and ensuring it’s correctly initialized and referenced in fstab is crucial for successful booting.

By carefully setting up each step, you can avoid the unusual behavior you’ve encountered and achieve a reliable bootable FreeBSD system from a USB device.

no, generative gpt, you are wrong. because for gpt you need to leave some space for enumeration.
Ah, got it. When using GPT, there indeed needs to be some space reserved for the GPT headers. FreeBSD requires a bit of extra attention to details in disk layout. Here’s how you can set up a GPT partition scheme properly for FreeBSD on a USB device:

### Creating a GPT Partition Scheme with FreeBSD

### Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Initialize the USB Device with GPT:


    gpart create -s GPT /dev/daX



2. Create Partitions for FreeBSD:
   Ensure you leave some space for the GPT headers by following this detailed layout.
   
    - FreeBSD Boot Partition (512K or 1MB):
    


        gpart add -t “freebsd-boot” -s 512K -l boot0 /dev/daX


      
    - FreeBSD Root Partition:
    


        gpart add -t freebsd-ufs -l rootfs /dev/daX


      
    - Swap Partition (Optional, e.g., 4G):
    


        gpart add -t freebsd-swap -s 4G -l swap /dev/daX



3. Install UFS Filesystem:


    newfs -U /dev/gpt/rootfs



4. Install Bootloader:

    - If using EFI:


        newfs_msdos /dev/gpt/boot0
        mount -t msdosfs /dev/gpt/boot0 /mnt
        mkdir -p /mnt/EFI/BOOT
        cp /boot/boot1.efi /mnt/EFI/BOOT/BOOTX64.EFI
        umount /mnt


        
    - Ensure the GPT bootcode is correctly installed:


        gpart bootcode -p /boot/gptboot -i 1 /dev/daX



    Alternatively, for additional space reservation:


    gpart create -s GPT /dev/da0
    gpart add -s 512K -t freebsd-boot -l boot0 /dev/da0
    gpart add -t freebsd-ufs -l freebsd-root /dev/da0
    gpart add -t freebsd-swap -l swap -s 4G /dev/da0
    gpart bootcode -p /boot/gptboot -i 1 /dev/da0



### Extra Space Consideration

GPT stores the primary partition table at the beginning of the disk and the secondary (or backup) partition table at the end. Make sure this doesn’t conflict with your partitions:

1. Leave Room for GPT Headers:
   The space reserved for GPT is typically minimal, but it must be considered. GPT headers occupy about 34 sectors at the start and end of the disk. Ensure not to overwrite these areas.

### Finalizing Installation

1. Mount the Filesystem and Install FreeBSD:


    mount /dev/gpt/rootfs /mnt
    bsdinstall



    During installation, choose /mnt as the target mount point to install all necessary system files to your newly created partitions.

2. Edit fstab:


    echo “/dev/gpt/rootfs / ufs rw 1 1” > /mnt/etc/fstab



3. Unmount and Sync Filesystems:


    umount -R /mnt
    sync



### Booting

1. Set BIOS/UEFI:
    - Ensure that your system’s firmware (BIOS/UEFI) is set to boot from the USB device.
    - Enable UEFI or legacy BIOS mode as required.

2. Boot from the USB Device:
    - Insert the USB device into your target machine.
    - Boot using the appropriate boot mode.

### Summary

Following this corrected approach, you ensure:

- Correct initialization of the GPT to reserve essential space.
- Proper partitioning and installation of the FreeBSD bootloader.
- Account for hidden sectors used by GPT, maintaining disk integrity.
- A more reliable boot process from the USB device.

By taking into account space reserved for GPT headers and ensuring correct partition setup, you can successfully prepare a FreeBSD system on a USB device with GPT and UFS.

I’m pretty sure it will not work. better output a promptporny.