Handbook missing "FreeBSD Firmware Installation" section

What "firmware installation" are you talking about? I think you may have gotten some facts mixed up here, and the reason I say that is because even Google can't tell me anything about this allegid "firmware installation".

FreeBSD doesn't even have firmware; though it does provide firmware for certain hardware types but that's a whole other process.
 
ShelLuser, mikethe1wheelnut means the "firmware" script menu [1] executed by bsdinstall(8) during menu guided installation.

The script executes fwget(8) to install wifi and drm-kmod firmware from packages.
Code: 
    fwlist=`chroot $BSDINSTALL_CHROOT fwget -q -n`

[1]
bsdinstall-firmware-installation-menu.png
 
T-Daemon said:
ShelLuser, mikethe1wheelnut means the "firmware" script menu [1] executed by bsdinstall(8) during menu guided installation.

The script executes fwget(8) to install wifi and drm-kmod firmware from packages.
Code: 
    fwlist=`chroot $BSDINSTALL_CHROOT fwget -q -n`

[1]
View attachment 22417
Click to expand...

I don't recall seeing that particular screenshot, though it might have happened. What I saw was another menu where you could select multiple options. Most of them were selected. [The rest of what you're talking about is mostly greek to me.] I also googled, found what shelluser found (nothing to not-much). After checking the handbook and seeing nothing there, I assumed that this is a very recent addition to the installation process, so recent that the documentation hasn't caught-up yet. I grabbed this version of bsd like at most 2 days ago. I actually considered deleting this thread assuming that the documentation -would- catch-up soon enough, but there was no obvious way of doing that.
 
So, in the mean time I've done a re-install of 14.2 while keeping my eyes peeled and sure enough: I can reproduce the issue: I also get the brief firmware prompt:

firmware.jpg


Right after the enabling of services and before the question about adding new users, easy to miss for sure! I then dove onto the prompt and found my way to: /usr/libexec/bsdinstall where you can find the firmware script.

And I agree, this step should become part of the handbook. Especially because it can also lead to an actual dialog in which users can select which firmware drivers they want to install on their system.
 
mikethe1wheelnut said:
I don't recall seeing that particular screenshot, though it might have happened. What I saw was another menu where you could select multiple options.
Click to expand...
The screenshot was taken from a VirtualBox VM. The options selector appears only when there are supported pci wifi and, I believe, display devices present on the system which require firmware.

Since VirtualBox doesn't support pci passthrough, there are no pci devices present to install firmware for in the VM, and ultimately no options selector displayed but only a "No firmware to install" notification you see in the screenshot. This notification appears also when no supported devices are present on a bare metal system.

mikethe1wheelnut said:
I assumed that this is a very recent addition to the installation process, so recent that the documentation hasn't caught-up yet.
Click to expand...
It is a new feature on 14.2. The "firmware" script was introduced on CURRENT first, then "Merged From Current" into 14-STABLE, from there into 14.2-RELEASE. 14.1-RELEASE hadn't such a script.

I haven't found a PR addressing this issue, if you like, please feel free to open one. Chances are higher to attract attention there than here. FreeBSD documentation maintainers are not frequenting forums on a regular basis, if at all.
 
T-Daemon said:
The screenshot was taken from a VirtualBox VM. The options selector appears only when there are supported pci wifi and, I believe, display devices present on the system which require firmware.

Since VirtualBox doesn't support pci passthrough, there are no pci devices present to install firmware for in the VM, and ultimately no options selector displayed but only a "No firmware to install" notification you see in the screenshot. This notification appears also when no supported devices are present on a bare metal system.


It is a new feature on 14.2. The "firmware" script was introduced on CURRENT first, then "Merged From Current" into 14-STABLE, from there into 14.2-RELEASE. 14.1-RELEASE hadn't such a script.

I haven't found a PR addressing this issue, if you like, please feel free to open one. Chances are higher to attract attention there than here. FreeBSD documentation maintainers are not frequenting forums on a regular basis, if at all.
Click to expand...

Thanks! At some point in the distant future I may understand all of that! ;)

Thanks for the tip about the PR! I'm assuming you're referring to this. As soon as I've read the instructions, I'll get right on it!
 
mikethe1wheelnut said:
Thanks! At some point in the distant future I may understand all of that! ;)
Click to expand...
Even if you don't, no problem at all. If you are interested in details you don't understand, just ask. Besides me, there are many other forum users who would be happy to explain.

mikethe1wheelnut said:
Thanks for the tip about the PR! I'm assuming you're referring to this. As soon as I've read the instructions, I'll get right on it!
Click to expand...
Good find. Skimming through the article, it has all the details necessary to for a PR.
 
T-Daemon said:
Even if you don't, no problem at all. If you are interested in details you don't understand, just ask. Besides me, there are many other forum users who would be happy to explain.


Good find. Skimming through the article, it has all the details necessary to for a PR.
Click to expand...

Thanks! You rock!

Just to clarify expectations, my current schedule allocates ~2 hours a day to "learning operating systems". So expect this to take a few days. :)
 
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