Q. I've installed FreeBSD server without ports. When installing my FreeBSD system, sysinstall asked my, if I would like to install the Ports Collection? I chose not to install it. Now, how do I obtain and install the FreeBSD ports collection in /usr/ports?
A. The FreeBSD Ports collection is a package management system which provides an easy and consistent way of installing software packages on the FreeBSD operating system.
Before you can install ports, you must first obtain the Ports Collection and placed in /usr/ports directory.
Obtaining the Ports Collection
Login as root and install portsnap package, if you are using FreeBSD 6.0 or older version:
# pkg_add -r portsnap
Obtain ports
Type the following command:
# mkdir /usr/ports
# portsnap fetch
# portsnap extract
Now, the ports collection installed in /usr/ports. You can install and update system using portupgrade and portsnap itself
You can also use sysinstall tool to install the ports collection :
# sysinstall
Select Configure > Distributions > Ports > Ok
Fig.01: Install Freebsd Ports Collection Using sysinstall
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Thanks for sharing this.