> The last time i did this it took a lot of time to get the VM set > up--installing all the right ports, getting the database configuration right, > etc. > > Are there any shortcuts for this, e.g. a way i can automatically install the > same ports on the new "machine"? I didnt see anything in the handbook or FAQ > about this, but id think that people need to do this all the time. Any other > advice for mirroring the system?
Opinions definitely vary on what the best method is.
What I do nowadays is to:
* First of all, never ever interactively configure any ports.
* Maintain any necessary global options in /etc/make.conf
* Maintain port specific options in /usr/local/etc/ports.conf,
and have it applied by ports-mgmt/portconf.
* Keep a list of packages that I want installed (NOT including
dependencies).
I then build packages based on this information in a clean
environment; typically a dedicated jail. Because all configuration is
declarative, and nothing is a function of interactive dialogs, I know
I can reproduce the package set + config at any time.
The upgrade on the target machine is a matter of pkg_delete -a to
remove all packages, and then re-installing all the built
binaries.
I have some tools to help me do this that are semi-public, but not
really in a nice state at this time. Let me know off-list if you would
be interested.
--
/ Peter Schuller
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