On Thu, 3 Dec 2009 19:51:09 +0100, Christopher Zimmermann wrote > Hi, > > is it possible to install two OpenBSDs on the same disk? I'd > like to try -current in a separate installation. > As I understand disklabels I would need separate disklabels > for each installation, because I need two separate root 'b' > partitions. > > So I would create two fdisk partitions one for each system, > and the two disklabels would be stored on the LBR of these > partitions. > > Is this the way to go? Is it a bad idea? Any pitfalls? On Thu, 3 Dec 2009 19:51:09 +0100, Christopher Zimmermann wrote > Hi, > > is it possible to install two OpenBSDs on the same disk? I'd > like to try -current in a separate installation.
Yes it is possible, but not in the way you outline. A single disk can only have one disklabel, regardless of the number of MBR partitions... and only a single, A6 MBR partition should be configured. You can have multiple systems installed in different disklabel partitions, however. e.g. You could install -current into, for example, wd0p. Then, at the boot> prompt, just do something like "boot hd0p"/bsd -a", and respond with "wd0p" as your root kernel. Note that the bsd.rd installation script will reformat and use the "a" partition as the root partition, and this is outside of operator control. This will be a problem. You must either relabel partitions with disklabel(8) or modify the scripts. (Note also that relabelling mounted on a running system is a very bad idea. Do it when running bsd.rd, so that root partitions are unmounted, if you choose this method.) The -easiest- way to multiboot two OpenBSD systems is to use a second disk (even a USB stick).
