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FAQ

>> Software installation via ports

- What is the right way to install software on VDS? General requirements.

- Where can I view a list of my installed software?

- How do I install a program via ports?

- How do I delete a port or package?

What is the right way to install software on VDS? General requirements.

Each Virtual Dedicated Server (VDS / VPS) comes with a long list of preinstalled software. The software does not occupy your VDS disk space and is timly updated by our experts. But you may need to install some other programs.

There are several ways to install software for FreeBSD operating system. You can install it from binary packages or by building from sources. But the best method is building from the FreeBSD Ports Collection. The FreeBSD Ports Collection offers a simple and convenient method to prepackage software applications for the FreeBSD operating environment. Using a standard format and installation paradigm, the Ports Collection is an easy way for system administrators to install and update over 3200 applications, utilities, and system tools.

The ports system on FreeBSD is great for installing additional software. The sources can be fetched directly from the internet and will be stored in /usr/ports. Our experts update the collection periodically, and we feel quite confident in recommending you not to do it yourself.

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Where can I view a list of my installed software?

So you want to know what software you have installed on your FreeBSD system, or you want to check if you have a particular piece of software installed? This is a pretty simple task. To list all software packages (this includes those installed through Ports and those installed through Packages) installed on your system, issue the following command in your VDS console:

# pkg_info

This will produce a very long list of applications/utilities and information about them.

To understand what the pkg_info command stand for and more information on its options refer to the manual pages man pkg_info. Anyway, the command is useful. For example, to check to see if you have a particular package files, we can try this:

# pkg_info -L zip-2.31

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How to install a program via ports?

Yet another way of finding a particular program is by using the ports collection's built-in search mechanism. To use the search feature, you will need to be in the /usr/ports directory. You can easily find the directory you need by the command "cd":

# cd /usr/ports/.../program

Many programs can be configured beforehand. Try this:

# make config

Once you've done, the config manu will be displayed (otherwise, there are no config options foe the program). After successful configuration, start the compilation process by the command:

# make

Take notice that once the compile is complete you are returned to your prompt. The next step is to install the port. In order to install it, you simply need to tack one word onto the make command, and that word is install:

# make install

Now that you know how to install ports, you are probably wondering how to remove them, just in case you install one and later on you decide that you installed the wrong port. As with installing ports, the first thing you must do is change to the port directory. After you change directories, you are ready to uninstall your port. This is done with the make deinstall command. So, there are two commands:

# make deinstall
# make reinstall

After the installation is completed, you should delete all of the files in your temp directory to save disk space:

# make clean

Please be aware that all the software you install will occupy your VDS disk space. Plus, we will not update it alone with the preinstalled software (no matter if your program is in the list). You will have to perform its update by yourself.

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How do I delete a port or package?

By using the below command. In this case, it's not enough to just know the name of the port or its directory in the tree (see pkg_info), you want to use the full name of the installed port, which will include version numbers at the end.

# pkg_delete program_version

For example,

# pkg_delete zip-2.31

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