Hi, I have an idea as a temporary workaround. Say I install OI on an external SSD using the install in whole disk (GPT) option. Then I zfs send/receive the pool to a specific GPT partition in the internal disk. And, then I update paths / install bootloader update-archive (and update root path for BSD Loaders) to use the internal one so I don't have to carry the external disk anymore.
Will this work? Did anyone ever try? Best! Atiq On Tue, Aug 19, 2025 at 2:40 PM Atiq Rahman <ati...@gmail.com> wrote: > Hi Toomas, > booted into live env: > > > zpool import -R /mnt rpool > did that > > /mnt/var is pretty much empty. > ---- > # ls -a /mnt/var > . > .. > user > ---- > > > > zfs create -V 8G -o volblocksize=4k -o primarycache=metadata rpool/swap > did that. > > > make sure your /mnt/etc/vfstab has line > here's vfstab > ---- > # cat /mnt/etc/vfstab > #device device mount FS fsck mount mount > #to mount to fsck point type pass at boot options > /devices - /devices devfs - no - > /proc - /proc proc - no - > ctfs - /system/contract ctfs - no - > objfs - /system/object objfs - no - > sharefs - /etc/dfs/sharetab sharefs - no - > fd - /dev/fd fd - no - > swap - /tmp tmpfs - yes - > ---- > > > zfs create -V size -o primarycache=metadata rpool/dump > did that > > However, following throws error, > > dumpadm -r /mnt -d /dev/zvol/dsk/rpool/dump > dumpadm: failed to open /dev/dump: No such file or directory > > I also tried dumpadm also booting into the installed version from internal > SSD, gives the same error. > # dumpadm -d /dev/zvol/dsk/rpool/dump > dumpadm: failed to open /dev/dump: No such file or directory > > Additionally, fs structure, > > ---- > # ls -a /mnt/ > . > .. > .cdrom > bin > boot > dev > devices > etc > export > home > jack > kernel > lib > media > mnt > net > opt > platform > proc > reconfigure > root > rpool > save > sbin > system > tmp > usr > var > --- > > > Feels like the installer did not create/generate the file system properly? > Should I reinstall? > > Thanks, > > Atiq > > > On Mon, Aug 18, 2025 at 2:02 AM Toomas Soome via oi-dev < > oi-...@openindiana.org> wrote: > >> >> >> On 18. Aug 2025, at 11:36, Atiq Rahman <ati...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >> Hi, >> Thanks so much for explaining the bits. >> >> > However, the system goes into maintenance mode after booting. the root >> password I specified during installation wasn't set. It sets the root user >> with the default maintenance password. >> >> How to make it run the remaining parts of the installer and complete it >> so I can at least get OI on text mode? >> >> Best! >> >> Atiq >> >> >> >> First of all, we would need to understand why it did drop to maintenance >> mode. If you can’t get in with root (on maintenance mode), then I’d suggest >> to boot to live environment with install medium, then >> >> zpool import -R /mnt rpool — now you have your os instance available in >> /mnt; from it you should see log files in /mnt/var/svc/log and most likely, >> some of the system-* files have recorded the reason. >> >> The install to existing pool does not create swap and dump devices for you >> >> zfs create -V size -o volblocksize=4k -o primarycache=metadata >> rpool/swap and make sure your /mnt/etc/vfstab has line: >> >> >> /dev/zvol/dsk/rpool/swap - - swap - no - >> >> zfs create -V size -o primarycache=metadata rpool/dump >> dumpadm -r /mnt -d */dev/zvol/dsk/rpool/dump* >> >> other that the above depend on what you will find from the logs. >> >> rgds, >> toomas >> >> >> On Sun, Aug 17, 2025 at 2:50 AM Toomas Soome via oi-dev < >> oi-...@openindiana.org> wrote: >> >>> On 16. Aug 2025, at 08:31, Atiq Rahman <ati...@gmail.com> wrote: >>> > bootadm update-archive -R /mntpointfor_rootfs will create it. >>> This indeed created it. Now, I am able to boot into it without the USB >>> stick. >>> >>> > the finalization steps are likely missing. >>> Yep, more of the final steps were missed by the installer. >>> >>> Regarding the Install log (bottom of the email after this section). >>> 1. set_partition_active: is it running stuffs for legacy MBR even though >>> it is UEFI system? >>> >>> it is likely the installer logic may need some updating. >>> >>> 2. is /usr/sbin/installboot a script? If yes, I plan to run it manually >>> next time. >>> >>> >>> no. you still can run it manually, or use bootadm install-bootloader >>> (which does run installboot). Note that installboot is assuming that >>> existing boot programs are from illumos, if not, you will see some error >>> (in this case, the multiboot data structure is not found and therefore the >>> program is not “ours”). >>> >>> 3. EFI/Boot/bootia32.efi: why is it installing 32 bit boot file? Mine is >>> amd64 system. >>> >>> >>> Because bootia32.efi (loader32.efi) implements support of system which >>> starts with 32-bit UEFI firmware, but cpu can be switched to 64-bit mode. >>> Granted, most systems do not need it, but also, one might want to transfer >>> this boot disk, so it would be nice to have it prepared. And since ESP does >>> have spare space, it does not really hurt to have it installed. Same way we >>> do install both UEFI boot programs in ESP and BIOS boot programs into pmbr >>> and os partition start - this way it really does not matter if you use CSM >>> or not, you still can boot. >>> >>> 4. Finally, why did _curses.error: endwin() returned ERR ? >>> >>> >>> from man endwin: >>> >>> • *endwin* returns an error if >>> >>> • the terminal was not initialized, or >>> >>> • *endwin* is called more than once without updating the >>> screen, or >>> >>> • *reset_shell_mode*(3X) returns an error. >>> >>> So some debugging is needed there. >>> >>> rgds, >>> toomas >>> >>> >>> >>> Install log is attached here >>> ------------------------ >>> 2025-08-15 16:00:35,533 - INFO : text-install:120 **** START **** >>> 2025-08-15 16:00:36,166 - ERROR : ti_install_utils.py:428 Error >>> occured during zpool call: no pools available to import >>> >>> 2025-08-15 16:00:38,146 - ERROR : ti_install_utils.py:428 Error >>> occured during zpool call: no pools available to import >>> >>> 2025-08-15 09:11:38,777 - ERROR : install_utils.py:411 >>> be_do_installboot_walk: child 0 of 1 device c2t00A075014881A463d0s6 >>> 2025-08-15 09:11:38,927 - ERROR : install_utils.py:411 Command: >>> "/usr/sbin/installboot -F -m -f -b /a/boot >>> /dev/rdsk/c2t00A075014881A463d0s6" >>> 2025-08-15 09:11:38,927 - ERROR : install_utils.py:411 Output: >>> 2025-08-15 09:11:38,928 - ERROR : install_utils.py:411 >>> 2025-08-15 09:11:38,928 - ERROR : install_utils.py:411 >>> 2025-08-15 09:11:38,928 - ERROR : install_utils.py:411 >>> 2025-08-15 09:11:38,928 - ERROR : install_utils.py:411 bootblock >>> written for /dev/rdsk/c2t00A075014881A463d0s6, 280 sectors starting at 1024 >>> (abs 1500001280) >>> 2025-08-15 09:11:38,928 - ERROR : install_utils.py:411 >>> 2025-08-15 09:11:38,928 - ERROR : install_utils.py:411 /a/boot/pmbr is >>> newer than one in /dev/rdsk/c2t00A075014881A463d0s6 >>> 2025-08-15 09:11:38,928 - ERROR : install_utils.py:411 stage1 written >>> to slice 6 sector 0 (abs 1500000256) >>> 2025-08-15 09:11:38,928 - ERROR : install_utils.py:411 >>> 2025-08-15 09:11:38,928 - ERROR : install_utils.py:411 bootblock >>> written to /tmp/ibootBxW1oa/EFI/Boot/bootx64.efi >>> 2025-08-15 09:11:38,928 - ERROR : install_utils.py:411 >>> 2025-08-15 09:11:38,928 - ERROR : install_utils.py:411 bootblock >>> written to /tmp/ibootBxW1oa/EFI/Boot/bootia32.efi >>> 2025-08-15 09:11:38,928 - ERROR : install_utils.py:411 >>> 2025-08-15 09:11:38,928 - ERROR : install_utils.py:411 /a/boot/pmbr is >>> newer than one in /dev/rdsk/c2t00A075014881A463d0p0 >>> 2025-08-15 09:11:38,928 - ERROR : install_utils.py:411 stage1 written >>> to slice 0 sector 0 (abs 0) >>> 2025-08-15 09:11:38,928 - ERROR : install_utils.py:411 >>> 2025-08-15 09:11:38,928 - ERROR : install_utils.py:411 Errors: >>> 2025-08-15 09:11:38,928 - ERROR : install_utils.py:411 Error reading >>> bootblock from /tmp/ibootBxW1oa/EFI/Boot/bootia32.efi >>> 2025-08-15 09:11:38,928 - ERROR : install_utils.py:411 Unable to find >>> multiboot header >>> 2025-08-15 09:11:38,928 - ERROR : install_utils.py:411 Error reading >>> bootblock from /tmp/ibootBxW1oa/EFI/Boot/bootx64.efi >>> 2025-08-15 09:11:38,967 - ERROR : ti_install.py:680 One or more ICTs >>> failed. See previous log messages >>> 2025-08-15 09:12:54,907 - ERROR : text-install:254 Install Profile: >>> Pool: rpool >>> BE name: solaris >>> Overwrite boot configuration: True >>> NIC None: >>> Type: none >>> System Info: >>> Hostname: solaris >>> TZ: America - US - America/Los_Angeles >>> Time Offset: 0:00:17.242116 >>> Keyboard: None >>> Locale: en_US.UTF-8 >>> User Info(root): >>> Real name: None >>> Login name: root >>> Is Role: False >>> User Info(): >>> Real name: >>> Login name: >>> Is Role: False >>> None >>> 2025-08-15 09:12:54,910 - ERROR : text-install:255 Traceback (most >>> recent call last): >>> File "/usr/bin/text-install", line 247, in <module> >>> cleanup_curses() >>> File "/usr/bin/text-install", line 93, in cleanup_curses >>> curses.endwin() >>> _curses.error: endwin() returned ERR >>> >>> 2025-08-15 09:12:54,911 - INFO : text-install:99 **** END **** >>> >>> >>> >>> Thanks, >>> >>> Atiq >>> >>> >>> On Thu, Aug 14, 2025 at 1:54 AM Toomas Soome via oi-dev < >>> oi-...@openindiana.org> wrote: >>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On 14. Aug 2025, at 11:26, Atiq Rahman <ati...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>> >>>> So my disk name came out to be a long one: "c2t00A075014881A463d0" and >>>> I am creating a fresh new pool in s6 (7th slice). >>>> I am trying to get away with my mid week sorcery! >>>> >>>> Don't judge me. I barely concocted a majestic `zpool create` command >>>> doing few searches online (been a while, I don't remember any of the >>>> arguments) >>>> >>>> $ sudo zpool create -o ashift=12 -O compression=lz4 -O atime=off -O >>>> normalization=formD -O mountpoint=none -O canmount=off rpool >>>> /dev/dsk/c2t00A075014881A463d0s6 >>>> >>>> I had a tiny bit of hesitation on putting in the mount restriction >>>> switches, thinking whether it will prevent the *BSD Loader* from >>>> looking up inside the pool. >>>> >>>> Then before running the text-installer (PS: no GUI yet for me, iGPU: >>>> radeon not supported, dGPU: Nvidia RTX 4060, driver does modeset unloading) >>>> I take the zfs pool off, >>>> >>>> $ sudo zpool export rpool >>>> >>>> pondered though if that would be a good idea before running the >>>> installer. And then, I traveled to light blue OpenIndiana land. >>>> >>>> $ sudo /usr/bin/text-install >>>> >>>> I got away with a lot of firsts today probably in a decade (zpool >>>> create worked, was able to treasure hunt the partition/slice that I created >>>> from another FOSS OS with help) so while that installer is running I am >>>> almost getting overconfident. >>>> >>>> An error in the end on /tmp/install_log put a dent on that just a tiny >>>> bit. Screenshot attached: one of the py scripts invoked by >>>> /sbin/install-finish: osol_install/ict.py has a TypeError which might have >>>> caused due to NIC not being supported. I thought for a second whether >>>> installer missing anything important by terminating after that TypeError. >>>> >>>> Life goes on: I created an entry on EFI boot manager pointing to >>>> /Boot/bootx64.efi >>>> As I try to boot BSD Loader is complaining that rootfs module not found. >>>> >>>> >>>> As your install did end up with errors, the finalization steps are >>>> likely missing. >>>> >>>> bootadm update-archive -R /mntpointfor_rootfs will create it. >>>> >>>> >>>> While running some beadm command from OI live image I also noticed it >>>> said few times that >>>> Boot menu config missing. I guess I need to mount /boot/efi >>>> >>>> >>>> no, beadm does manage boot environments and one step there is to >>>> maintain BE menu list for bootloader boot environments menu. beadm >>>> create/destroy/activate will update this menu (its located in <pool >>>> dataset>/boot/menu.lst >>>> >>>> >>>> As I am still learning how to make this work, any comment / suggestion >>>> is greatly appreciated. >>>> >>>> Next, I will follow this after above is resolved, >>>> >>>> per >>>> https://docs.openindiana.org/handbook/getting-started/#install-openindiana-to-existing-zfs-pool >>>> , >>>> > As there's possibly already another OS instance installed to the >>>> selected ZFS pool, no additional users or filesystems (like `rpool/export`) >>>> are created during installation. Swap and dump ZFS volumes also are not >>>> created and should be added manually after installation. Only root user >>>> will be available in created boot environment. >>>> >>>> >>>> using existing pool implies you need to take care of many things >>>> yourself; IMO it is leaving just a bit too many things not done, but the >>>> thing is, because it is ending up with things to be done by the operator, >>>> it is definitely not the best option for someone trying to do its first >>>> install. It really is for “advanced mode”, when you know what and how to do >>>> to get setup completed. >>>> >>>> I have not used OI installer for some time, but I do believe you should >>>> be able to point the installer to create pool on existing slice (not to >>>> reuse existing pool). Or as I have suggested before, just use VM to get the >>>> first setup to learn from. >>>> >>>> rgds, >>>> toomas >>>> >>>> which means our installation process (into existing zfs pool) missed a >>>> few steps of usual installation even though we started with a fresh new zfs >>>> pool, no other OS instance. >>>> >>>> Appreciate the help of everyone who chimed in: Joshua, Toomas, John and >>>> others to help me discover the magic to install into specific partition >>>> instead of using the whole disk. >>>> >>>> >>>> Cheers! >>>> >>>> Atiq >>>> >>>> >>>> On Wed, Aug 13, 2025 at 5:53 PM Atiq Rahman <ati...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Hi, >>>>> > You can create your single illumos partition on OI as well, it does >>>>> not have to be a whole disk setup. >>>>> >>>>> Yep, I would prefer to create the pool using an OI live image. So, I >>>>> created a new partition from mkpart using latest parted from a linux >>>>> system >>>>> for this purpose, >>>>> >>>>> parted > mkpart illumos 767GB 100% >>>>> >>>>> and then set the partition type to solaris launching, >>>>> >>>>> $ sudo gdisk /dev/nvme0n1 >>>>> >>>>> (set the GUID to "6A85CF4D-1DD2-11B2-99A6-080020736631" ) >>>>> >>>>> I booted using OI live gui image (flashed / created it using 07-23 >>>>> live usb image from test dir under hipster), >>>>> Time to kill the switch! >>>>> I see that parted can list all the partitions and format can list >>>>> some. However, not all of them were listed under /dev/dsk or /dev/rdsk I >>>>> could only see p0 to p4 (I guess illumos skipped the linux partitions). >>>>> >>>>> However, when I applied 'zpool create zfs_main >>>>> /dev/rdsk/c2t0xxxxxxxxxxd0p4 it reported no such file or directory! Tried >>>>> various versions of `zpool create`, nothing would succeed! >>>>> >>>>> Wondering if this is some nvme storage support / enumeration issue. >>>>> >>>>> Atiq >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Wed, Aug 13, 2025 at 12:18 AM Toomas Soome via illumos-discuss < >>>>> discuss@lists.illumos.org> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On 13. Aug 2025, at 09:29, Stephan Althaus via illumos-discuss < >>>>>> discuss@lists.illumos.org> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> On 8/13/25 04:17, Atiq Rahman wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> Copying this to illumos discussion as well if anyone else knows. >>>>>> >>>>>> ---------- Forwarded message --------- >>>>>> From: Atiq Rahman <ati...@gmail.com> >>>>>> Date: Tue, Aug 12, 2025 at 6:23 PM >>>>>> Subject: Re: [OpenIndiana-discuss] Installation on a partition (UEFI >>>>>> System) >>>>>> To: Discussion list for OpenIndiana < >>>>>> openindiana-disc...@openindiana.org> >>>>>> Cc: John D Groenveld <groenv...@acm.org> >>>>>> >>>>>> Hi, >>>>>> I tried a live usb text installer again. Right after the launch text >>>>>> installer shows following as second option on the bottom of the screen, >>>>>> *F5_InstallToExistingPool* >>>>>> >>>>>> Screenshot is below. If you zoom in, you will see the option at the >>>>>> top of the blue background in the bottom part of the image. >>>>>> >>>>>> <text_install_screen.jpg> >>>>>> >>>>>> Can I partition and create a pool using FreeBSD as you >>>>>> mentioned. And, then use this option to install on that pool. >>>>>> >>>>>> *Note that my system is EFI Only (no legacy / no CSM).* >>>>>> >>>>>> Sincerely, >>>>>> >>>>>> Atiq >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On Tue, Aug 12, 2025 at 2:27 PM Atiq Rahman <ati...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Hi, >>>>>>> Following up again to request confirmation regarding the "partition >>>>>>> the disk" option in the installer. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> At present, it’s impractical for me to carry an external storage >>>>>>> device solely for OpenIndiana. With other operating systems, I can >>>>>>> safely >>>>>>> install and test them on my internal SSD without risking my existing >>>>>>> setup. >>>>>>> Unfortunately, with OI, this specific limitation and uncertainty are >>>>>>> creating unnecessary friction and confusion. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> You can create your single illumos partition on OI as well, it does >>>>>> not have to be whole disk setup. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Could you please confirm the current state of EFI support — >>>>>>> specifically, whether it is possible to safely perform a >>>>>>> custom-partition >>>>>>> installation on an EFI-only system, using a FreeBSD live USB image with >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> -d option. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Thank you, >>>>>>> Atiq >>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> yes, it is possible. However, if you intend to share pool with >>>>>> illumos, you need to know the specifics. illumos GPT partition type in >>>>>> FreeBSD is named apple-zfs (its actually the uuid of illumos usr slice >>>>>> from >>>>>> vtoc). FreeBSD boot loader is searching for partition freebsd-zfs to boot >>>>>> the FreeBSD system. >>>>>> >>>>>> In general, I’d suggest to use virtualization to get first glimpse of >>>>>> the OS, to learn its details and facts and then attempt to build >>>>>> complicated multi-os/multi boot setups. >>>>>> >>>>>> rgds, >>>>>> toomas >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Mon, Aug 4, 2025 at 3:54 PM Atiq Rahman <ati...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Hi John, >>>>>>>> That's very helpful.. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> So, even though I choose "Partition the disk (MBR)" on the text >>>>>>>> installer, it should work fine on my UEFI System after I set up the >>>>>>>> pool >>>>>>>> using FreeBSD live image. >>>>>>>> Right? I get confused since it mentions "MBR" next to it and my >>>>>>>> System is entirely GPT, no support for legacy / MBR booting at all (no >>>>>>>> CSM). >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Have a smooth Monday, >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Atiq >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Tue, Jul 15, 2025 at 5:56 AM John D Groenveld via >>>>>>>> openindiana-discuss <openindiana-disc...@openindiana.org> wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> In message <CABC65rOmBY6YmMSB=HQdXq= >>>>>>>>> tdn7d1xr+k8m9-__rqpbzhjz...@mail.gmail.com> >>>>>>>>> , Atiq Rahman writes: >>>>>>>>> >Most likely, I am gonna go with this. It's been a while since I >>>>>>>>> last had a >>>>>>>>> >Solaris machine. I have to figure out the zpool stuff. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> If you create the pool for OI under FreeBSD, you'll likely need to >>>>>>>>> disable features with the -d option as FreeBSD's ZFS is more >>>>>>>>> feature >>>>>>>>> rich. >>>>>>>>> <URL: >>>>>>>>> https://man.freebsd.org/cgi/man.cgi?query=zpool-create&apropos=0&sektion=0&manpath=FreeBSD+14.3-RELEASE+and+Ports&arch=default&format=html >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Once you get OI installed on your OI pool, you can enable features: >>>>>>>>> <URL:https://illumos.org/man/7/zpool-features> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> John >>>>>>>>> groenv...@acm.org >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Hello! >>>>>> >>>>>> You can install to an existing pool created with FreeBSD, be shure to >>>>>> use the option "-d" as "zpool create -d <newpool> <partition> " to >>>>>> disable >>>>>> additional ZFS features, see Details here: >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> https://man.freebsd.org/cgi/man.cgi?query=zpool-create&sektion=8&apropos=0&manpath=FreeBSD+14.3-RELEASE+and+Ports >>>>>> >>>>>> And an EFI partition should be there, too. >>>>>> >>>>>> HTH, >>>>>> >>>>>> Stephan >>>>>> >>>>>> ------------------------------------------ illumos: illumos-discuss Permalink: https://illumos.topicbox.com/groups/discuss/T240e6222b19f3259-M0d134591f7e8ea3e98c7774c Delivery options: https://illumos.topicbox.com/groups/discuss/subscription
