21.4 Updating the System

Updating the system is a relatively simple process. As root, in /usr/src:

% make buildworld
% make buildkernel KERNCONF=GENERIC
% make installkernel KERNCONF=GENERIC
% make installworld
% make upgrade
(reboot)

An explanation of each step follows.

• make buildworld : This command rebuilds all userland programs. This is the most time-consuming step.

• make buildkernel KERNCONF=GENERIC : This builds the kernel using the config file specified by KERNCONF. If you've created a different kernel configuration file as detailed in Chapter 9, use that instead of GENERIC. If KERNCONF isn't specified, the GENERIC configuration file (installed by default) is used.

• make installkernel KERNCONF=GENERIC : This installs the kernel using the config file specified by KERNCONF. The value of KERNCONF must match what was specified in the make buildkernel command, so that files that match this configuration can be installed correctly. As with make buildkernel, KERNCONF will be set to GENERIC if not otherwise specified.

• make installworld : This copies all the files built in the buildworld step (i.e. everything that is not the kernel) to the proper places in the filesystem.

• make upgrade : This cleans out any files made unnecessary by this upgrade.

• (reboot) : Reboot the computer to load the new kernel and use the new files installed as part of this process.

If your computer fails to reboot, check the Section 9.6 section of the handbook.