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diff --git a/documentation/content/en/books/handbook/introduction/_index.adoc b/documentation/content/en/books/handbook/introduction/_index.adoc index 209dc3fce0..1252f1bea2 100644 --- a/documentation/content/en/books/handbook/introduction/_index.adoc +++ b/documentation/content/en/books/handbook/introduction/_index.adoc @@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ description: This chapter covers various aspects of the FreeBSD Project, such as tags: ["introduction", "synopsis", "about", "Who Uses FreeBSD", "goals", "history"] showBookMenu: true weight: 3 -path: "/books/handbook/" +path: "/books/handbook/introduction/" --- [[introduction]] @@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ After reading this chapter you will know: [[nutshell]] == Welcome to FreeBSD! -FreeBSD is an Open Source, standards-compliant Unix-like operating system for x86 (both 32 and 64 bit), ARM(R), AArch64, RISC-V(R), MIPS(R), POWER(R), PowerPC(R), and Sun UltraSPARC(R) computers. +FreeBSD is an Open Source, standards-compliant Unix-like operating system for x86 (both 32 and 64 bit), ARM, AArch64, RISC-V, POWER, and PowerPC computers. It provides all the features that are nowadays taken for granted, such as preemptive multitasking, memory protection, virtual memory, multi-user facilities, SMP support, all the Open Source development tools for different languages and frameworks, and desktop features centered around X Window System, KDE, or GNOME. Its particular strengths are: @@ -73,8 +73,8 @@ Its particular strengths are: * _Fully integrated OpenZFS support_, including root-on-ZFS, ZFS Boot Environments, fault management, administrative delegation, support for jails, FreeBSD specific documentation, and system installer support. * _Extensive security features_, from the Mandatory Access Control framework to Capsicum capability and sandbox mechanisms. * _Over 30 thousand prebuilt packages_ for all supported architectures, and the Ports Collection which makes it easy to build your own, customized ones. -* _Documentation_ - in addition to Handbook and books from different authors that cover topics ranging from system administration to kernel internals, there are also the man:man[1] pages, not only for userspace daemons, utilities, and configuration files, but also for kernel driver APIs (section 9) and individual drivers (section 4). -* _Simple and consistent repository structure and build system_ - FreeBSD uses a single repository for all of its components, both kernel and userspace. This, along with an unified and easy to customize build system and a well thought out development process makes it easy to integrate FreeBSD with build infrastructure for your own product. +* _Documentation_ - in addition to the Handbook and books from different authors that cover topics ranging from system administration to kernel internals, there are also the man:man[1] pages, not only for userspace daemons, utilities, and configuration files, but also for kernel driver APIs (section 9) and individual drivers (section 4). +* _Simple and consistent repository structure and build system_ - FreeBSD uses a single repository for all of its components, both kernel and userspace. This, along with a unified and easy to customize build system and a well thought-out development process makes it easy to integrate FreeBSD with build infrastructure for your own product. * _Staying true to Unix philosophy_, preferring composability instead of monolithic "all in one" daemons with hardcoded behavior. * _Binary compatibility_ with Linux, which makes it possible to run many Linux binaries without the need for virtualisation. @@ -86,9 +86,9 @@ FreeBSD offers performance and reliability on par with other Open Source and com === What Can FreeBSD Do? The applications to which FreeBSD can be put are truly limited only by your own imagination. -From software development to factory automation, inventory control to azimuth correction of remote satellite antennae; if it can be done with a commercial UNIX(R) product then it is more than likely that you can do it with FreeBSD too! FreeBSD also benefits significantly from literally thousands of high quality applications developed by research centers and universities around the world, often available at little to no cost. +From software development to factory automation, inventory control to azimuth correction of remote satellite antenna; if it can be done with a commercial UNIX(R) product then it is more than likely that you can do it with FreeBSD too! FreeBSD also benefits significantly from literally thousands of high quality applications developed by research centers and universities around the world, often available at little to no cost. -Because the source code for FreeBSD itself is freely available, the system can also be customized to an almost unheard of degree for special applications or projects, and in ways not generally possible with operating systems from most major commercial vendors. +Because the source code for FreeBSD itself is freely available, the system can also be customized to an almost unheard-of degree for special applications or projects, and in ways not generally possible with operating systems from most major commercial vendors. Here is just a sampling of some of the applications in which people are currently using FreeBSD: * _Internet Services:_ The robust TCP/IP networking built into FreeBSD makes it an ideal platform for a variety of Internet services such as: @@ -98,13 +98,15 @@ Here is just a sampling of some of the applications in which people are currentl ** Firewalls and NAT ("IP masquerading") gateways ** FTP servers ** Email servers +** Storage servers +** Virtualization servers ** And more... -* _Education:_ Are you a student of computer science or a related engineering field? There is no better way of learning about operating systems, computer architecture and networking than the hands on, under the hood experience that FreeBSD can provide. A number of freely available CAD, mathematical and graphic design packages also make it highly useful to those whose primary interest in a computer is to get _other_ work done! +* _Education:_ Are you a student of computer science or a related engineering field? There is no better way of learning about operating systems, computer architecture and networking than the hands-on, under-the-hood experience that FreeBSD can provide. A number of freely available CAD, mathematical and graphic design packages also make it highly useful to those whose primary interest in a computer is to get _other_ work done! * _Research:_ With source code for the entire system available, FreeBSD is an excellent platform for research in operating systems as well as other branches of computer science. FreeBSD's freely available nature also makes it possible for remote groups to collaborate on ideas or shared development without having to worry about special licensing agreements or limitations on what may be discussed in open forums. * _Networking:_ Need a new router? A name server (DNS)? A firewall to keep people out of your internal network? FreeBSD can easily turn that unused PC sitting in the corner into an advanced router with sophisticated packet-filtering capabilities. -* _Embedded:_ FreeBSD makes an excellent platform to build embedded systems upon. With support for the ARM(R), MIPS(R) and PowerPC(R) platforms, coupled with a robust network stack, cutting edge features and the permissive extref:{faq}[BSD license, bsd-license-restrictions] FreeBSD makes an excellent foundation for building embedded routers, firewalls, and other devices. -* _Desktop:_ FreeBSD makes a fine choice for an inexpensive desktop solution using the freely available X11 server. FreeBSD offers a choice from many open-source desktop environments, including the standard GNOME and KDE graphical user interfaces. FreeBSD can even boot "diskless" from a central server, making individual workstations even cheaper and easier to administer. +* _Embedded:_ FreeBSD makes an excellent platform to build embedded systems upon. With support for the ARM, AArch64 and PowerPC platforms, coupled with a robust network stack, cutting edge features, and the permissive extref:{faq}[BSD license, bsd-license-restrictions], FreeBSD makes an excellent foundation for building embedded routers, firewalls, and other devices. +* _Desktop:_ FreeBSD makes a fine choice for an inexpensive desktop solution using the freely available X11 server and Wayland display server. FreeBSD offers a choice from many open-source desktop environments, including the standard GNOME and KDE graphical user interfaces. FreeBSD can even boot "diskless" from a central server, making individual workstations even cheaper and easier to administer. * _Software Development:_ The basic FreeBSD system comes with a full suite of development tools including a full C/C++ compiler and debugger suite. Support for many other languages are also available through the ports and packages collection. FreeBSD is available to download free of charge, or can be obtained on either CD-ROM or DVD. @@ -113,52 +115,14 @@ Please see crossref:mirrors[mirrors, Obtaining FreeBSD] for more information abo [[introduction-nutshell-users]] === Who Uses FreeBSD? -FreeBSD has been known for its web serving capabilities - sites that run on FreeBSD include link:https://news.ycombinator.com/[Hacker News], link:http://www.netcraft.com/[Netcraft], link:http://www.163.com/[NetEase], link:https://signup.netflix.com/openconnect[Netflix], link:http://www.sina.com/[Sina], link:http://www.sony.co.jp/[Sony Japan], link:http://www.rambler.ru/[Rambler], link:http://www.yahoo.com/[Yahoo!], and link:http://www.yandex.ru/[Yandex]. - -FreeBSD's advanced features, proven security, predictable release cycle, and permissive license have led to its use as a platform for building many commercial and open source appliances, devices, and products. -Many of the world's largest IT companies use FreeBSD: - -* link:http://www.apache.org/[Apache] - The Apache Software Foundation runs most of its public facing infrastructure, including possibly one of the largest SVN repositories in the world with over 1.4 million commits, on FreeBSD. -* link:http://www.apple.com/[Apple] - OS X borrows heavily from FreeBSD for the network stack, virtual file system, and many userland components. Apple iOS also contains elements borrowed from FreeBSD. -* link:http://www.cisco.com/[Cisco] - IronPort network security and anti-spam appliances run a modified FreeBSD kernel. -* link:http://www.citrix.com/[Citrix] - The NetScaler line of security appliances provide layer 4-7 load balancing, content caching, application firewall, secure VPN, and mobile cloud network access, along with the power of a FreeBSD shell. -* link:https://www.emc.com/isilon[Dell EMC Isilon] - Isilon's enterprise storage appliances are based on FreeBSD. The extremely liberal FreeBSD license allowed Isilon to integrate their intellectual property throughout the kernel and focus on building their product instead of an operating system. -* link:http://www.quest.com/KACE[Quest KACE] - The KACE system management appliances run FreeBSD because of its reliability, scalability, and the community that supports its continued development. -* link:http://www.ixsystems.com/[iXsystems] - The TrueNAS line of unified storage appliances is based on FreeBSD. -* link:http://www.juniper.net/[Juniper] - The JunOS operating system that powers all Juniper networking gear (including routers, switches, and security and networking appliances) is based on FreeBSD. Juniper is one of many vendors that showcases the symbiotic relationship between the project and vendors of commercial products. Improvements generated at Juniper are upstreamed into FreeBSD to reduce the complexity of integrating new features from FreeBSD back into JunOS in the future. -* link:http://www.mcafee.com/[McAfee] - SecurOS, the basis of McAfee enterprise firewall products including Sidewinder is based on FreeBSD. -* link:http://www.netapp.com/[NetApp] - The Data ONTAP GX line of storage appliances are based on FreeBSD. In addition, NetApp has contributed back many features, including the new BSD licensed hypervisor, bhyve. -* link:http://www.netflix.com/[Netflix] - The OpenConnect appliance that Netflix uses to stream movies to its customers is based on FreeBSD. Netflix has made extensive contributions to the codebase and works to maintain a zero delta from mainline FreeBSD. Netflix OpenConnect appliances are responsible for delivering more than 32% of all Internet traffic in North America. -* link:http://www.sandvine.com/[Sandvine] - Sandvine uses FreeBSD as the basis of their high performance real-time network processing platforms that make up their intelligent network policy control products. -* link:http://www.sony.com/[Sony] - The PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 gaming consoles runs a modified version of FreeBSD. -* link:http://www.sophos.com/[Sophos] - The Sophos Email Appliance product is based on a hardened FreeBSD and scans inbound mail for spam and viruses, while also monitoring outbound mail for malware as well as the accidental loss of sensitive information. -* link:http://www.spectralogic.com/[Spectra Logic] - The nTier line of archive grade storage appliances run FreeBSD and OpenZFS. -* link:https://www.stormshield.com[Stormshield] - Stormshield Network Security appliances are based on a hardened version of FreeBSD. The BSD license allows them to integrate their own intellectual property with the system while returning a great deal of interesting development to the community. -* link:http://www.weather.com/[The Weather Channel] - The IntelliStar appliance that is installed at each local cable provider's headend and is responsible for injecting local weather forecasts into the cable TV network's programming runs FreeBSD. -* link:http://www.verisign.com/[Verisign] - Verisign is responsible for operating the .com and .net root domain registries as well as the accompanying DNS infrastructure. They rely on a number of different network operating systems including FreeBSD to ensure there is no common point of failure in their infrastructure. -* link:http://www.voxer.com/[Voxer] - Voxer powers their mobile voice messaging platform with ZFS on FreeBSD. Voxer switched from a Solaris derivative to FreeBSD because of its superior documentation, larger and more active community, and more developer friendly environment. In addition to critical features like ZFS and DTrace, FreeBSD also offers TRIM support for ZFS. -* link:https://fudosecurity.com/en/[Fudo Security] - The FUDO security appliance allows enterprises to monitor, control, record, and audit contractors and administrators who work on their systems. Based on all of the best security features of FreeBSD including ZFS, GELI, Capsicum, HAST, and auditdistd. - -FreeBSD has also spawned a number of related open source projects: - -* link:http://bsdrp.net/[BSD Router] - A FreeBSD based replacement for large enterprise routers, designed to run on standard PC hardware. -* link:https://www.truenas.com/[TrueNAS] is a Network Attached Storage (NAS) software that shares and protects data from modern-day threats like ransomware and malware. TrueNAS makes it easy for users and client devices to access shared data through virtually any sharing protocol. -* link:https://ghostbsd.org/[GhostBSD] is derived from FreeBSD, uses the GTK environment to provide a beautiful look and comfortable experience on the modern BSD platform offering a natural and native UNIX(R) work environment. -* link:http://mfsbsd.vx.sk/[mfsBSD] - A toolkit for building a FreeBSD system image that runs entirely from memory. -* link:https://xigmanas.com/[XigmaNAS] - A file server distribution based on FreeBSD with a PHP powered web interface. -* link:http://www.opnsense.org/[OPNSense] is an open source, easy-to-use and easy-to-build FreeBSD based firewall and routing platform. OPNsense includes most of the features available in expensive commercial firewalls, and more in many cases. It brings the rich feature set of commercial offerings with the benefits of open and verifiable sources. -* link:https://www.midnightbsd.org[MidnightBSD] is a FreeBSD derived operating system developed with desktop users in mind. It includes all the software you'd expect for your daily tasks: mail, web browsing, word processing, gaming, and much more. -* link:https://www.nomadbsd.org[NomadBSD] is a persistent live system for USB flash drives, based on FreeBSD. Together with automatic hardware detection and setup, it is configured to be used as a desktop system that works out of the box, but can also be used for data recovery, for educational purposes, or to test FreeBSD's hardware compatibility. -* link:http://www.pfsense.org/[pfSense] - A firewall distribution based on FreeBSD with a huge array of features and extensive IPv6 support. -* link:http://zrouter.org/[ZRouter] - An open source alternative firmware for embedded devices based on FreeBSD. Designed to replace the proprietary firmware on off-the-shelf routers. - -A list of link:https://www.freebsdfoundation.org/about/testimonials/[testimonials from companies basing their products and services on FreeBSD] can be found at the FreeBSD Foundation website. +FreeBSD has been known for its web serving capabilities. +A list of link:https://freebsdfoundation.org/about-us/testimonials/[testimonials from companies basing their products and services on FreeBSD] can be found at the FreeBSD Foundation website. Wikipedia also maintains a link:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_products_based_on_FreeBSD[list of products based on FreeBSD]. [[history]] == About the FreeBSD Project -The following section provides some background information on the project, including a brief history, project goals, and the development model of the project. +The following section provides some background information on the project, including a brief history, project goals, and the extref:{dev-model}[development model] of the project. [[intro-history]] === A Brief History of FreeBSD @@ -166,7 +130,7 @@ The following section provides some background information on the project, inclu The FreeBSD Project had its genesis in the early part of 1993, partially as the brainchild of the Unofficial 386BSDPatchkit's last 3 coordinators: Nate Williams, Rod Grimes and Jordan Hubbard. The original goal was to produce an intermediate snapshot of 386BSD in order to fix a number of problems that the patchkit mechanism was just not capable of solving. -The early working title for the project was 386BSD 0.5 or 386BSD Interim in reference of that fact. +The early working title for the project was 386BSD 0.5 or 386BSD Interim in reference to that fact. 386BSD was Bill Jolitz's operating system, which had been up to that point suffering rather severely from almost a year's worth of neglect. As the patchkit swelled ever more uncomfortably with each passing day, they decided to assist Bill by providing this interim "cleanup" snapshot. @@ -182,13 +146,13 @@ This was based on the 4.3BSD-Lite ("Net/2") tape from U.C. Berkeley, with many c It was a fairly reasonable success for a first offering, and they followed it with the highly successful FreeBSD 1.1 release in May of 1994. Around this time, some rather unexpected storm clouds formed on the horizon as Novell and U.C. Berkeley settled their long-running lawsuit over the legal status of the Berkeley Net/2 tape. -A condition of that settlement was U.C. Berkeley's concession that large parts of Net/2 were "encumbered" code and the property of Novell, who had in turn acquired it from AT&T some time previously. +A condition of that settlement was U.C. Berkeley's concession that three files of Net/2 were "encumbered" code and had to be removed as they were the property of Novell, who had in turn acquired it from AT&T some time previously. What Berkeley got in return was Novell's "blessing" that the 4.4BSD-Lite release, when it was finally released, would be declared unencumbered and all existing Net/2 users would be strongly encouraged to switch. This included FreeBSD, and the project was given until the end of July 1994 to stop shipping its own Net/2 based product. Under the terms of that agreement, the project was allowed one last release before the deadline, that release being FreeBSD 1.1.5.1. FreeBSD then set about the arduous task of literally re-inventing itself from a completely new and rather incomplete set of 4.4BSD-Lite bits. -The "Lite" releases were light in part because Berkeley's CSRG had removed large chunks of code required for actually constructing a bootable running system (due to various legal requirements) and the fact that the Intel port of 4.4 was highly incomplete. +Although only three files having to do with System V shared memory and semaphores were removed, many other changes and bug fixes had been made to the BSD distribution, so it was a huge task to merge all the FreeBSD developments into 4.4BSD-Lite. It took the project until November of 1994 to make this transition, and in December it released FreeBSD 2.0 to the world. Despite being still more than a little rough around the edges, the release was a significant success and was followed by the more robust and easier to install FreeBSD 2.0.5 release in June of 1995. @@ -202,7 +166,7 @@ For now, long-term development projects continue to take place in the {rel-head} The goals of the FreeBSD Project are to provide software that may be used for any purpose and without strings attached. Many of us have a significant investment in the code (and project) and would certainly not mind a little financial compensation now and then, but we are definitely not prepared to insist on it. We believe that our first and foremost "mission" is to provide code to any and all comers, and for whatever purpose, so that the code gets the widest possible use and provides the widest possible benefit. -This is, I believe, one of the most fundamental goals of Free Software and one that we enthusiastically support. +This is, we believe, one of the most fundamental goals of Free Software and one that we enthusiastically support. That code in our source tree which falls under the GNU General Public License (GPL) or Library General Public License (LGPL) comes with slightly more strings attached, though at least on the side of enforced access rather than the usual opposite. Due to the additional complexities that can evolve in the commercial use of GPL software we do, however, prefer software submitted under the more relaxed BSD license when it is a reasonable option to do so. @@ -217,7 +181,7 @@ We are constantly on the lookout for new volunteers, and those interested in bec Useful things to know about the FreeBSD Project and its development process, whether working independently or in close cooperation: The Git repositories[[development-cvs-repository]]:: -For several years, the central source tree for FreeBSD was maintained by link:http://www.nongnu.org/cvs/[CVS] (Concurrent Versions System), a freely available source code control tool. +For several years, the central source tree for FreeBSD was maintained by link:https://www.nongnu.org/cvs/[CVS] (Concurrent Versions System), a freely available source code control tool. In June 2008, the Project switched to using link:https://subversion.apache.org/[SVN] (Subversion). The switch was deemed necessary, as the technical limitations imposed by CVS were becoming obvious due to the rapid expansion of the source tree and the amount of history already stored. The Documentation Project and Ports Collection repositories also moved from CVS to SVN in May 2012 and July 2012, respectively. @@ -243,7 +207,7 @@ The "board of directors" analogy above is not very accurate, and it may be more ==== The FreeBSD Foundation[[development-foundation]]:: -The link:https://freebsdfoundation.org[FreeBSD Foundation] is a 501(c)(3), US-based, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the FreeBSD Project and community worldwide. +The link:https://freebsdfoundation.org/[FreeBSD Foundation] is a 501(c)(3), US-based, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the FreeBSD Project and community worldwide. The Foundation funds software development via project grants and provides staff to immediately respond to urgent problems and implement new features and functionality. The Foundation purchases hardware to improve and maintain FreeBSD infrastructure, and funds staffing to improve test coverage, continuous integration and automation. The Foundation advocates for FreeBSD by promoting FreeBSD at technical conferences and events around the world. @@ -252,7 +216,7 @@ The Foundation also represents the FreeBSD Project in executing contracts, licen Outside contributors:: Last, but definitely not least, the largest group of developers are the users themselves who provide feedback and bug fixes to us on an almost constant basis. -The primary way of keeping in touch with development of FreeBSD base system is to subscribe to the {freebsd-hackers} where such things are discussed. +The primary way of keeping in touch with the development of the FreeBSD base system is to subscribe to the {freebsd-hackers} where such things are discussed. For porting third party applications, it would be the {freebsd-ports}. For documentation - {freebsd-doc}. See crossref:eresources[eresources, Resources on the Internet] for more information about the various FreeBSD mailing lists. @@ -270,7 +234,7 @@ All we ask of those who would join us as FreeBSD developers is some of the same === Third Party Programs In addition to the base distributions, FreeBSD offers a ported software collection with thousands of commonly sought-after programs. -The list of ports ranges from HTTP servers, to games, languages, editors, and almost everything in between. +The list of ports ranges from HTTP servers to games, languages, editors, and almost everything in between. There are about {numports} ports; the entire Ports Collection requires approximately {ports-size}. To compile a port, you simply change to the directory of the program you wish to install, type `make install`, and let the system do the rest. The full original distribution for each port you build is retrieved dynamically so you need only enough disk space to build the ports you want. @@ -282,19 +246,22 @@ More information on packages and ports can be found in crossref:ports[ports,Inst All supported FreeBSD versions provide an option in the installer to install additional documentation under [.filename]#/usr/local/share/doc/freebsd# during the initial system setup. Documentation may also be installed later using packages: + [source,shell] .... # pkg install en-freebsd-doc .... -For localized versions replace the "en" with language prefix of choice. +For localized versions replace the "en" with the language prefix of choice. Be aware that some of the localised versions might be out of date and might contain information that is no longer correct or relevant. You may view the locally installed manuals with a web browser using the following URLs: The FreeBSD Handbook:: -[.filename]#link:file:///usr/local/share/doc/freebsd/en/books/handbook/book.html[/usr/local/share/doc/freebsd/en/books/handbook/book.html]# +`/usr/local/share/doc/freebsd/en/books/handbook/handbook_en.pdf` The FreeBSD FAQ:: -[.filename]#link:file://localhost/usr/local/share/doc/freebsd/en/books/faq/book.html[/usr/local/share/doc/freebsd/en/books/faq/book.html]# +`/usr/local/share/doc/freebsd/en/books/faq/faq_en.pdf` + +You can always find up to date documentation at link:https://docs.FreeBSD.org/[The Documentation Portal]. -You can always find up to date documentation at link:https://docs.FreeBSD.org/[https://docs.FreeBSD.org/]. +All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. |