Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
I tried responding to an off-list message. Delivery failed for some reason. I just don't want the sender of the message to which I tried to reply to think I'm ignoring him, so I elected to send this to the list. Thanks for your patience. -- Chad Perrin [ original content licensed OWL: http://owl.apotheon.org ] pgpaCnpR0jeSm.pgp Description: PGP signature
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
On Thu, Jan 27, 2011 at 09:09:52PM +, Devin Teske wrote: > On Thu, 2011-01-27 at 13:39 -0700, Chad Perrin wrote: > > > On Thu, Jan 13, 2011 at 01:57:38PM -0800, Devin Teske wrote: > > > > > > You're going to have to resort to things that aren't touched during a > > > system upgrade if you want to find out the `true' answer as to when the > > > box was first ... what? partitioned? newfs'd? clue me in here. > > > > > > What _is_ the definition of "built" ??? When the hardware pieces were > > > coalesced into a single chassis? If that's the case, I'd be looking at > > > model numbers of internal parts. > > > > I suspect that at this point you are just being pedantic, > > Correct. I get paid to be pedantic. It's a staple of my tenure-track > position. Do you get paid to read carefully? I did not simply say you're being pedantic. I said you're *just* being pedantic, which is considerably less useful or respectable. > > > and that you > > know what the question actually means > > Correct. Going back to the OP's e-mail, he indeed clarified that he was > only interested in the install-date of FreeBSD. > > > ; you just want to dismiss the > > Incorrect and perceptually [unrightly] indignent. s/indignent/indignant/ (just being pedantic; pardon me) If that is not your intent, please enlighten me, because it *still* seems to be your intended meaning, and this only looks like backpedaling in the absence of any clarification of intended meaning. > > The above statements (which you've taken out of context) were not to the > OP but a reply-thread between Chuck Swiger and myself. . . . and yet, they're on the public list, so (it seems) there must be some desire for them to be consumed by the general readership. If that desire is not rooted in an interest in publicly humiliating someone, the next most likely reason seems to be to make comments in the general context of the discussion thread hearkening back to the OP. A third most likely does not immediately spring to mind. -- Chad Perrin [ original content licensed OWL: http://owl.apotheon.org ] pgpKGh1GgY762.pgp Description: PGP signature
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
On Thu, 2011-01-27 at 13:39 -0700, Chad Perrin wrote: > On Thu, Jan 13, 2011 at 01:57:38PM -0800, Devin Teske wrote: > > > > You're going to have to resort to things that aren't touched during a > > system upgrade if you want to find out the `true' answer as to when the > > box was first ... what? partitioned? newfs'd? clue me in here. > > > > What _is_ the definition of "built" ??? When the hardware pieces were > > coalesced into a single chassis? If that's the case, I'd be looking at > > model numbers of internal parts. > > I suspect that at this point you are just being pedantic, Correct. I get paid to be pedantic. It's a staple of my tenure-track position. > and that you > know what the question actually means Correct. Going back to the OP's e-mail, he indeed clarified that he was only interested in the install-date of FreeBSD. > ; you just want to dismiss the > question as immaterial. Incorrect and perceptually [unrightly] indignent. The above statements (which you've taken out of context) were not to the OP but a reply-thread between Chuck Swiger and myself. -- Devin ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org"
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
On Thu, Jan 13, 2011 at 01:57:38PM -0800, Devin Teske wrote: > > You're going to have to resort to things that aren't touched during a > system upgrade if you want to find out the `true' answer as to when the > box was first ... what? partitioned? newfs'd? clue me in here. > > What _is_ the definition of "built" ??? When the hardware pieces were > coalesced into a single chassis? If that's the case, I'd be looking at > model numbers of internal parts. I suspect that at this point you are just being pedantic, and that you know what the question actually means; you just want to dismiss the question as immaterial. -- Chad Perrin [ original content licensed OWL: http://owl.apotheon.org ] pgpm7c8n9oyYt.pgp Description: PGP signature
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
On Thu, Jan 27, 2011 at 3:56 AM, Alexandr Sushko wrote: > Try to use not ls -l, but ls -lc. It will show you file creation time. > > > ls -lcd /bin/, for example > > drwxr-xr-x 2 root wheel 1024 Dec 10 00:31 /bin/ > > I ran this and the earliest date I found was Oct 12, 2008 which seems to be around when I migrated from 7.2 to 7.3 and this box has been alive since 6.0-RELEASE, it's a good 5-6 yrs old ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org"
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
On 01/13/2011 11:28 PM, David Demelier wrote: Hello folks, I'm just guessing if there is a way to know a FreeBSD installation date. We can't look after the uname -a ident since an update of the FreeBSD kernel is possible. I think searching a file absolutely not touched ever in the system can helps but which one? markand@Melon ~ $ ls -l /root/.cshrc -rw-r--r-- 2 root wheel 798 19 Jul 04:17 /root/.cshrc It seems that this file has the FreeBSD dist access time so can't refers to neither. Do you have any clue? Cheers, Try to use not ls -l, but ls -lc. It will show you file creation time. ls -lcd /bin/, for example drwxr-xr-x 2 root wheel 1024 Dec 10 00:31 /bin/ -- Best regards, Alexandr Sushko ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org"
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
On 14/01/2011 19:46, Carl Johnson wrote: Chip Camden writes: Quoth Carl Chave on Friday, 14 January 2011: I'd suggest looking at the Btimes of top level directories stat -f "%SB %N" /* Or how about just / as this ~15 minutes earlier than most of the remaining top level directories sodserve# stat -f "%SB %N" /* Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /COPYRIGHT Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /bin Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /boot Dec 31 18:59:59 1969 /dev Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /etc Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /lib Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /libexec Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /media Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /mnt Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /proc Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /rescue Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /root Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /sbin Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /sys Jan 9 04:48:39 2011 /tmp Jan 9 04:48:45 2011 /usr Jan 9 04:49:39 2011 /var sodserve# stat -f "%SB %N" / Jan 9 04:39:59 2011 / For me, that gets the Nov 21 2009 date, which is earlier than my install date. So far, /etc/hostid and the /home symlink seem to be the winners. On my system /etc/hostid is several days later than my actual install date, so that isn't always reliable. You might want to create a file with the timestamp you want. The most likely time appears to me to be the 'Created' time in /etc/rc.conf, as someone suggested earlier. The following code will extract that and create a file with that timestamp. I have checked it on my system, but use at your own risk. file=/etc/install_date date=$(grep '^# Created: ' /etc/rc.conf | cut -c 12-80) tdate=$(date -j -f "%a %b %d %H:%M:%S %Y" "$date" "+%Y%m%d%H%M.%S") echo $date> $file touch -t $tdate $file chmod -w $file chflags schange $file I finally agreed for /home symlink. I've made a mistake. To be sure the link and not the directory /usr/home is touched the best to do is : # chflags -h uchg /home -h means "not following links" -- David Demelier ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org"
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
Chip Camden writes: > Quoth Carl Chave on Friday, 14 January 2011: >> > I'd suggest looking at the Btimes of top level directories >> > >> > stat -f "%SB %N" /* >> >> Or how about just / as this ~15 minutes earlier than most of the >> remaining top level directories >> >> >> sodserve# stat -f "%SB %N" /* >> Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /COPYRIGHT >> Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /bin >> Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /boot >> Dec 31 18:59:59 1969 /dev >> Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /etc >> Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /lib >> Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /libexec >> Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /media >> Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /mnt >> Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /proc >> Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /rescue >> Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /root >> Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /sbin >> Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /sys >> Jan 9 04:48:39 2011 /tmp >> Jan 9 04:48:45 2011 /usr >> Jan 9 04:49:39 2011 /var >> >> sodserve# stat -f "%SB %N" / >> Jan 9 04:39:59 2011 / > > For me, that gets the Nov 21 2009 date, which is earlier than my > install date. > > So far, /etc/hostid and the /home symlink seem to be the winners. On my system /etc/hostid is several days later than my actual install date, so that isn't always reliable. You might want to create a file with the timestamp you want. The most likely time appears to me to be the 'Created' time in /etc/rc.conf, as someone suggested earlier. The following code will extract that and create a file with that timestamp. I have checked it on my system, but use at your own risk. file=/etc/install_date date=$(grep '^# Created: ' /etc/rc.conf | cut -c 12-80) tdate=$(date -j -f "%a %b %d %H:%M:%S %Y" "$date" "+%Y%m%d%H%M.%S") echo $date > $file touch -t $tdate $file chmod -w $file chflags schange $file -- Carl Johnsonca...@peak.org ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org"
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
On Fri, 14 Jan 2011 07:32:13 -0800 Chip Camden wrote: > > sodserve# stat -f "%SB %N" /* > > Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /COPYRIGHT > > Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /bin > > Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /boot > > Dec 31 18:59:59 1969 /dev > > Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /etc > > Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /lib > > Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /libexec > > > > sodserve# stat -f "%SB %N" / > > Jan 9 04:39:59 2011 / > > For me, that gets the Nov 21 2009 date, which is earlier than my > install date. > > So far, /etc/hostid and the /home symlink seem to be the winners. > I think you'd have to look at a few dates. hostid hasn't been around all that long, so it could have the date of the first boot after the change was picked-up. There are legitimate reasons for modifying or creating a /home symlink. ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org"
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
On 14 January 2011 15:37, Chip Camden wrote: > Quoth n j on Friday, 14 January 2011: > > >>> I'm just guessing if there is a way to know a FreeBSD installation > date. > > >>> We can't look after the uname -a ident since an update of the FreeBSD > > >>> kernel is possible. > > > > How about looking at /proc or /mnt? > > > > On a couple of my boxes that I checked, those files came up being the > > oldest and probably match the installation date. > > > > -- > > Nino > > For me, /proc is older, /mnt is newer, than the install date. > > -- > Sterling (Chip) Camden| sterl...@camdensoftware.com | 2048D/3A978E4F > http://camdensoftware.com | http://chipsquips.com | > http://chipstips.com > its nice to know the installation date, but im not sure what it gains you technically. ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org"
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
Quoth n j on Friday, 14 January 2011: > >>> I'm just guessing if there is a way to know a FreeBSD installation date. > >>> We can't look after the uname -a ident since an update of the FreeBSD > >>> kernel is possible. > > How about looking at /proc or /mnt? > > On a couple of my boxes that I checked, those files came up being the > oldest and probably match the installation date. > > -- > Nino For me, /proc is older, /mnt is newer, than the install date. -- Sterling (Chip) Camden| sterl...@camdensoftware.com | 2048D/3A978E4F http://camdensoftware.com | http://chipsquips.com | http://chipstips.com pgppQhu3EGJFK.pgp Description: PGP signature
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
On Thu, Jan 13, 2011 at 6:01 PM, Carl Johnson wrote: > How about /var/empty: > > % ls -ldo /var/empty/ > dr-xr-xr-x 2 root wheel schg 512 Jul 18 19:16 /var/empty/ > > It can be changed, but doesn't look likely. > > Ivan's e-mail I think might be a little more accurate ch...@ziggy.xaerolimit.net [~]# grep delta /etc/rc.conf && lsl /etc/hostid #-- sysinstall generated deltas -- # Sun Mar 8 19:10:02 2009 # -- sysinstall generated deltas -- # Tue Oct 26 02:15:25 2010 2 -rw-r--r-- 1 root wheel37B Mar 9 2009 /etc/hostid ch...@ziggy.xaerolimit.net [~]# whereas, your's gives me a date prior to that. ch...@ziggy.xaerolimit.net [~]# ls -ldo /var/empty/ dr-xr-xr-x 2 root wheel schg 512 Jan 1 2009 /var/empty/ ch...@ziggy.xaerolimit.net [~]# ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org"
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
Quoth David DEMELIER on Friday, 14 January 2011: > 2011/1/13 Chip Camden : > > > > The date on the /home symlink reflects my install date. I don't think > > anything would touch that. > > > > -- > > Sterling (Chip) Camden | sterl...@camdensoftware.com | 2048D/3A978E4F > > http://camdensoftware.com | http://chipsquips.com | > > http://chipstips.com > > > > And to be sure that anything can touch it you can add the the `uchf' > flag to the symlink : > > markand@Melon ~ $ ls -l /home > lrwxr-xr-x 1 root wheel 8 11 Jan 2011 /home -> usr/home > markand@Melon ~ $ sudo chflags uchg /home > markand@Melon ~ $ sudo touch /home > touch: /home: Operation not permitted > > But be careful, apply `uchg' flag on /home and not /home/. > > -- > Demelier David Touché. -- Sterling (Chip) Camden| sterl...@camdensoftware.com | 2048D/3A978E4F http://camdensoftware.com | http://chipsquips.com | http://chipstips.com pgpDRk8dkfyJb.pgp Description: PGP signature
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
Quoth Carl Chave on Friday, 14 January 2011: > > I'd suggest looking at the Btimes of top level directories > > > > stat -f "%SB %N" /* > > Or how about just / as this ~15 minutes earlier than most of the > remaining top level directories > > > sodserve# stat -f "%SB %N" /* > Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /COPYRIGHT > Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /bin > Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /boot > Dec 31 18:59:59 1969 /dev > Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /etc > Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /lib > Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /libexec > Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /media > Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /mnt > Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /proc > Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /rescue > Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /root > Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /sbin > Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /sys > Jan 9 04:48:39 2011 /tmp > Jan 9 04:48:45 2011 /usr > Jan 9 04:49:39 2011 /var > > sodserve# stat -f "%SB %N" / > Jan 9 04:39:59 2011 / For me, that gets the Nov 21 2009 date, which is earlier than my install date. So far, /etc/hostid and the /home symlink seem to be the winners. -- Sterling (Chip) Camden| sterl...@camdensoftware.com | 2048D/3A978E4F http://camdensoftware.com | http://chipsquips.com | http://chipstips.com pgpXt05mhKVRS.pgp Description: PGP signature
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
On 13 January 2011 20:34, Matthias Apitz wrote: > El día Thursday, January 13, 2011 a las 09:28:29PM +0100, David Demelier > escribió: > > > Hello folks, > > > > I'm just guessing if there is a way to know a FreeBSD installation date. > > We can't look after the uname -a ident since an update of the FreeBSD > > kernel is possible. > > > > I think searching a file absolutely not touched ever in the system can > > helps but which one? > > > > markand@Melon ~ $ ls -l /root/.cshrc > > -rw-r--r-- 2 root wheel 798 19 Jul 04:17 /root/.cshrc > > > > It seems that this file has the FreeBSD dist access time so can't refers > > to neither. > > > > Do you have any clue? > > I always use for this the oldest installed pkg: > > $ ls -lt /var/db/pkg > > HIH > >matthias > -- > Matthias Apitz > t +49-89-61308 351 - f +49-89-61308 399 - m +49-170-4527211 > e - w http://www.unixarea.de/ > ___ > freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list > http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions > To unsubscribe, send any mail to " > freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org" > no good if packages have been updated ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org"
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
>>> I'm just guessing if there is a way to know a FreeBSD installation date. >>> We can't look after the uname -a ident since an update of the FreeBSD >>> kernel is possible. How about looking at /proc or /mnt? On a couple of my boxes that I checked, those files came up being the oldest and probably match the installation date. -- Nino ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org"
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
2011/1/13 Chip Camden : > Quoth David Demelier on Thursday, 13 January 2011: >> Hello folks, >> >> I'm just guessing if there is a way to know a FreeBSD installation date. >> We can't look after the uname -a ident since an update of the FreeBSD >> kernel is possible. >> >> I think searching a file absolutely not touched ever in the system can >> helps but which one? >> >> markand@Melon ~ $ ls -l /root/.cshrc >> -rw-r--r-- 2 root wheel 798 19 Jul 04:17 /root/.cshrc >> >> It seems that this file has the FreeBSD dist access time so can't refers >> to neither. >> >> Do you have any clue? >> >> Cheers, >> >> -- >> David Demelier >> ___ >> freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list >> http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions >> To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org" > > The date on the /home symlink reflects my install date. I don't think > anything would touch that. > > -- > Sterling (Chip) Camden | sterl...@camdensoftware.com | 2048D/3A978E4F > http://camdensoftware.com | http://chipsquips.com | http://chipstips.com > And to be sure that anything can touch it you can add the the `uchf' flag to the symlink : markand@Melon ~ $ ls -l /home lrwxr-xr-x 1 root wheel 8 11 Jan 2011 /home -> usr/home markand@Melon ~ $ sudo chflags uchg /home markand@Melon ~ $ sudo touch /home touch: /home: Operation not permitted But be careful, apply `uchg' flag on /home and not /home/. -- Demelier David ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org"
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
> I'd suggest looking at the Btimes of top level directories > > stat -f "%SB %N" /* Or how about just / as this ~15 minutes earlier than most of the remaining top level directories sodserve# stat -f "%SB %N" /* Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /COPYRIGHT Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /bin Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /boot Dec 31 18:59:59 1969 /dev Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /etc Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /lib Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /libexec Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /media Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /mnt Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /proc Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /rescue Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /root Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /sbin Jan 9 04:54:21 2011 /sys Jan 9 04:48:39 2011 /tmp Jan 9 04:48:45 2011 /usr Jan 9 04:49:39 2011 /var sodserve# stat -f "%SB %N" / Jan 9 04:39:59 2011 / ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org"
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
Chip Camden writes: > Quoth Carl Johnson on Thursday, 13 January 2011: >> Polytropon writes: >> >> > On Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:50:27 -0800, Chuck Swiger wrote: >> >> On Jan 13, 2011, at 1:46 PM, Devin Teske wrote: >> >> > This is nearly always accurate on any FreeBSD system (when wanting to >> >> > query the date the machine was built): >> >> > >> >> > ls -l /etc/defaults/rc.conf >> >> >> >> I gather that you don't ever run mergemaster, which would update this >> >> file? >> >> My machine installed in 2001 has a Dec 2010 date for that file: >> >> >> >> -r--r--r-- 1 root wheel 36037 Dec 1 14:13 /etc/defaults/rc.conf >> > >> > Exactly that was my thought. Maybe a file that is NOT subject >> > to one of the system upgrade procedures would be better? Maybe >> > something in /boot? >> > >> > % ls -l /etc/defaults/rc.conf >> > -r--r--r-- 1 root wheel 34300 Aug 24 2008 /etc/defaults/rc.conf >> > % ls -l /boot/defaults/loader.conf >> > -r--r--r-- 1 root wheel 19426 Aug 24 2008 /boot/defaults/loader.conf >> > >> > No, forget about that, also nonsense, looks to new... >> >> How about /var/empty: >> >> % ls -ldo /var/empty/ >> dr-xr-xr-x 2 root wheel schg 512 Jul 18 19:16 /var/empty/ >> >> It can be changed, but doesn't look likely. > > On my system, it gives a date several months in advance of my install > date (Nov 21 2009). Oops, you're right. I just checked and it is a few days before I actually installed mine, so that is probably when the ISO was built. -- Carl Johnsonca...@peak.org ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org"
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
On Thu, 13 Jan 2011 21:28:29 +0100 David Demelier wrote: > Hello folks, > > I'm just guessing if there is a way to know a FreeBSD installation > date. We can't look after the uname -a ident since an update of the > FreeBSD kernel is possible. > > I think searching a file absolutely not touched ever in the system > can helps but which one? > > markand@Melon ~ $ ls -l /root/.cshrc > -rw-r--r-- 2 root wheel 798 19 Jul 04:17 /root/.cshrc > > It seems that this file has the FreeBSD dist access time so can't > refers to neither. > > Do you have any clue? > > Cheers, > I'd suggest looking at the Btimes of top level directories stat -f "%SB %N" /* ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org"
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
Quoth Carl Johnson on Thursday, 13 January 2011: > Polytropon writes: > > > On Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:50:27 -0800, Chuck Swiger wrote: > >> On Jan 13, 2011, at 1:46 PM, Devin Teske wrote: > >> > This is nearly always accurate on any FreeBSD system (when wanting to > >> > query the date the machine was built): > >> > > >> > ls -l /etc/defaults/rc.conf > >> > >> I gather that you don't ever run mergemaster, which would update this file? > >> My machine installed in 2001 has a Dec 2010 date for that file: > >> > >> -r--r--r-- 1 root wheel 36037 Dec 1 14:13 /etc/defaults/rc.conf > > > > Exactly that was my thought. Maybe a file that is NOT subject > > to one of the system upgrade procedures would be better? Maybe > > something in /boot? > > > > % ls -l /etc/defaults/rc.conf > > -r--r--r-- 1 root wheel 34300 Aug 24 2008 /etc/defaults/rc.conf > > % ls -l /boot/defaults/loader.conf > > -r--r--r-- 1 root wheel 19426 Aug 24 2008 /boot/defaults/loader.conf > > > > No, forget about that, also nonsense, looks to new... > > How about /var/empty: > > % ls -ldo /var/empty/ > dr-xr-xr-x 2 root wheel schg 512 Jul 18 19:16 /var/empty/ > > It can be changed, but doesn't look likely. > > -- > Carl Johnson ca...@peak.org > > ___ > freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list > http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions > To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org" On my system, it gives a date several months in advance of my install date (Nov 21 2009). -- Sterling (Chip) Camden| sterl...@camdensoftware.com | 2048D/3A978E4F http://camdensoftware.com | http://chipsquips.com | http://chipstips.com pgpFDB7gtEbgU.pgp Description: PGP signature
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
Quoth Ivan Voras on Friday, 14 January 2011: > On 13/01/2011 21:28, David Demelier wrote: > >Hello folks, > > > >I'm just guessing if there is a way to know a FreeBSD installation date. > >We can't look after the uname -a ident since an update of the FreeBSD > >kernel is possible. > > If you haven't removed it, a line in /etc/rc.conf should be written by > sysinstall at system install time: > > # -- sysinstall generated deltas -- # Sun Sep 14 16:13:22 2008 > > On a newer system (7+?), the timestamp of /etc/hostid would be from the > first boot. > > ___ > freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list > http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions > To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org" /etc/hostid has the right date for me. -- Sterling (Chip) Camden| sterl...@camdensoftware.com | 2048D/3A978E4F http://camdensoftware.com | http://chipsquips.com | http://chipstips.com pgprYENDxM96I.pgp Description: PGP signature
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
Polytropon writes: > On Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:50:27 -0800, Chuck Swiger wrote: >> On Jan 13, 2011, at 1:46 PM, Devin Teske wrote: >> > This is nearly always accurate on any FreeBSD system (when wanting to >> > query the date the machine was built): >> > >> >ls -l /etc/defaults/rc.conf >> >> I gather that you don't ever run mergemaster, which would update this file? >> My machine installed in 2001 has a Dec 2010 date for that file: >> >> -r--r--r-- 1 root wheel 36037 Dec 1 14:13 /etc/defaults/rc.conf > > Exactly that was my thought. Maybe a file that is NOT subject > to one of the system upgrade procedures would be better? Maybe > something in /boot? > > % ls -l /etc/defaults/rc.conf > -r--r--r-- 1 root wheel 34300 Aug 24 2008 /etc/defaults/rc.conf > % ls -l /boot/defaults/loader.conf > -r--r--r-- 1 root wheel 19426 Aug 24 2008 /boot/defaults/loader.conf > > No, forget about that, also nonsense, looks to new... How about /var/empty: % ls -ldo /var/empty/ dr-xr-xr-x 2 root wheel schg 512 Jul 18 19:16 /var/empty/ It can be changed, but doesn't look likely. -- Carl Johnsonca...@peak.org ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org"
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
On 13/01/2011 21:28, David Demelier wrote: Hello folks, I'm just guessing if there is a way to know a FreeBSD installation date. We can't look after the uname -a ident since an update of the FreeBSD kernel is possible. If you haven't removed it, a line in /etc/rc.conf should be written by sysinstall at system install time: # -- sysinstall generated deltas -- # Sun Sep 14 16:13:22 2008 On a newer system (7+?), the timestamp of /etc/hostid would be from the first boot. ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org"
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
On Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:50:27 -0800, Chuck Swiger wrote: > On Jan 13, 2011, at 1:46 PM, Devin Teske wrote: > > This is nearly always accurate on any FreeBSD system (when wanting to > > query the date the machine was built): > > > > ls -l /etc/defaults/rc.conf > > I gather that you don't ever run mergemaster, which would update this file? > My machine installed in 2001 has a Dec 2010 date for that file: > > -r--r--r-- 1 root wheel 36037 Dec 1 14:13 /etc/defaults/rc.conf Exactly that was my thought. Maybe a file that is NOT subject to one of the system upgrade procedures would be better? Maybe something in /boot? % ls -l /etc/defaults/rc.conf -r--r--r-- 1 root wheel 34300 Aug 24 2008 /etc/defaults/rc.conf % ls -l /boot/defaults/loader.conf -r--r--r-- 1 root wheel 19426 Aug 24 2008 /boot/defaults/loader.conf No, forget about that, also nonsense, looks to new... -- Polytropon Magdeburg, Germany Happy FreeBSD user since 4.0 Andra moi ennepe, Mousa, ... ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org"
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
On Thu, 2011-01-13 at 13:50 -0800, Chuck Swiger wrote: > On Jan 13, 2011, at 1:46 PM, Devin Teske wrote: > > This is nearly always accurate on any FreeBSD system (when wanting to > > query the date the machine was built): > > > > ls -l /etc/defaults/rc.conf > > I gather that you don't ever run mergemaster, which would update this file? > My machine installed in 2001 has a Dec 2010 date for that file: I view the running of mergemaster as part of a system upgrade which at that point... I'm saying that the system is undergoing a "rebuild" in which case, `ls -ltr /etc/defaults/rc.conf' is accurate (but, yes... I agree with you that this is dependent upon the definition of "accurate" -- entirely subjective to the definition of "when did I build this machine?"; not everybody considers "built" to be "inception"). That being said... because mergemaster _can_ touch every file on the system, you really can't get an "accurate" answer from _any_ file's timestamp. You're going to have to resort to things that aren't touched during a system upgrade if you want to find out the `true' answer as to when the box was first ... what? partitioned? newfs'd? clue me in here. What _is_ the definition of "built" ??? When the hardware pieces were coalesced into a single chassis? If that's the case, I'd be looking at model numbers of internal parts. > > -r--r--r-- 1 root wheel 36037 Dec 1 14:13 /etc/defaults/rc.conf > > Regards, -- Cheers, Devin Teske -> CONTACT INFORMATION <- Business Solutions Consultant II FIS - fisglobal.com 510-735-5650 Mobile 510-621-2038 Office 510-621-2020 Office Fax 909-477-4578 Home/Fax devin.te...@fisglobal.com -> LEGAL DISCLAIMER <- This message contains confidential and proprietary information of the sender, and is intended only for the person(s) to whom it is addressed. Any use, distribution, copying or disclosure by any other person is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the e-mail sender immediately, and delete the original message without making a copy. -> END TRANSMISSION <- ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org"
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
On Jan 13, 2011, at 1:46 PM, Devin Teske wrote: > This is nearly always accurate on any FreeBSD system (when wanting to > query the date the machine was built): > > ls -l /etc/defaults/rc.conf I gather that you don't ever run mergemaster, which would update this file? My machine installed in 2001 has a Dec 2010 date for that file: -r--r--r-- 1 root wheel 36037 Dec 1 14:13 /etc/defaults/rc.conf Regards, -- -Chuck ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org"
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
On Thu, 2011-01-13 at 13:03 -0800, Chip Camden wrote: > Quoth Chuck Swiger on Thursday, 13 January 2011: > > On Jan 13, 2011, at 12:45 PM, Chip Camden wrote: > > > On my system, /etc/termcap has the date well after my installation > > > (Jun 28 2010) and /etc/rmt dates to well before (Nov 21 2009). I first > > > installed FreeBSD on this system on Apr 1 2010. > > > > Certainly the target of the link would change; my /etc/termcap points to: > > > > -r--r--r-- 1 root wheel 206901 Dec 14 21:03 /usr/share/misc/termcap > > > > This particular box I'm looking at had been updated from FreeBSD-4.x > > through 7-STABLE, so a 2001 timestamp for the original installs seems about > > right. > > > > I wonder, are you folks using something other than UFS for / > > filesystem...perhaps ZFS or whatever handles the dates on symlinks > > differently? > > > > Regards, > > -- > > -Chuck > > I'm all UFS. My first installation was 8.0-RELEASE. At that time, I > don't think termcap was even a symlink, but I could be mistaken. > > I'm looking at the date on the symlink itself, not its target. This is nearly always accurate on any FreeBSD system (when wanting to query the date the machine was built): ls -l /etc/defaults/rc.conf But again... not always. Though for all situations where the answer is _NOT_ the correct answer... there's usually a damned-good explanation why (the machine was rsync'd etc.), in which case I still consider the date returned to be accurate (for any time /etc/defaults/rc.conf -- or perhaps even better... /etc/rc -- is touched, I'd consider the system to be "rebuilt" since those files should be somewhat "golden" on a system -- read: never touched except during system upgrade or rsync etc.). -- Cheers, Devin Teske -> CONTACT INFORMATION <- Business Solutions Consultant II FIS - fisglobal.com 510-735-5650 Mobile 510-621-2038 Office 510-621-2020 Office Fax 909-477-4578 Home/Fax devin.te...@fisglobal.com -> LEGAL DISCLAIMER <- This message contains confidential and proprietary information of the sender, and is intended only for the person(s) to whom it is addressed. Any use, distribution, copying or disclosure by any other person is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the e-mail sender immediately, and delete the original message without making a copy. -> END TRANSMISSION <- ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org"
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
Quoth Chuck Swiger on Thursday, 13 January 2011: > On Jan 13, 2011, at 12:45 PM, Chip Camden wrote: > > On my system, /etc/termcap has the date well after my installation > > (Jun 28 2010) and /etc/rmt dates to well before (Nov 21 2009). I first > > installed FreeBSD on this system on Apr 1 2010. > > Certainly the target of the link would change; my /etc/termcap points to: > > -r--r--r-- 1 root wheel 206901 Dec 14 21:03 /usr/share/misc/termcap > > This particular box I'm looking at had been updated from FreeBSD-4.x through > 7-STABLE, so a 2001 timestamp for the original installs seems about right. > > I wonder, are you folks using something other than UFS for / > filesystem...perhaps ZFS or whatever handles the dates on symlinks > differently? > > Regards, > -- > -Chuck I'm all UFS. My first installation was 8.0-RELEASE. At that time, I don't think termcap was even a symlink, but I could be mistaken. I'm looking at the date on the symlink itself, not its target. -- Sterling (Chip) Camden| sterl...@camdensoftware.com | 2048D/3A978E4F http://camdensoftware.com | http://chipsquips.com | http://chipstips.com pgplVikbzxCvp.pgp Description: PGP signature
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
On Jan 13, 2011, at 12:45 PM, Chip Camden wrote: > On my system, /etc/termcap has the date well after my installation > (Jun 28 2010) and /etc/rmt dates to well before (Nov 21 2009). I first > installed FreeBSD on this system on Apr 1 2010. Certainly the target of the link would change; my /etc/termcap points to: -r--r--r-- 1 root wheel 206901 Dec 14 21:03 /usr/share/misc/termcap This particular box I'm looking at had been updated from FreeBSD-4.x through 7-STABLE, so a 2001 timestamp for the original installs seems about right. I wonder, are you folks using something other than UFS for / filesystem...perhaps ZFS or whatever handles the dates on symlinks differently? Regards, -- -Chuck ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org"
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
2011/1/13 Chuck Swiger : > On Jan 13, 2011, at 12:28 PM, David Demelier wrote: >> I'm just guessing if there is a way to know a FreeBSD installation date. We >> can't look after the uname -a ident since an update of the FreeBSD kernel is >> possible. >> >> I think searching a file absolutely not touched ever in the system can helps >> but which one? > > > Symlinks under /etc are a good choice: > > # cd /etc ; ls -ltr | head > total 1242 > lrwxrwxrwx 1 root wheel 23 May 26 2001 termcap@ -> > /usr/share/misc/termcap > lrwxrwxrwx 1 root wheel 13 May 26 2001 rmt@ -> /usr/sbin/rmt > > Regards, > -- > -Chuck > > ___ > freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list > http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions > To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org" > markand@Melon ~ $ cd /etc ; ls -ltr | head total 612 drwxr-xr-x 2 root wheel 512 19 Jul 04:16 zfs drwxr-xr-x 2 root wheel 512 19 Jul 04:16 skel Same that my original post. I have not installed FreeBSD on July but as Chip says the /home symlink is a pretty good choice :-) Thanks -- Demelier David ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org"
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
Quoth Chuck Swiger on Thursday, 13 January 2011: > On Jan 13, 2011, at 12:28 PM, David Demelier wrote: > > I'm just guessing if there is a way to know a FreeBSD installation date. We > > can't look after the uname -a ident since an update of the FreeBSD kernel > > is possible. > > > > I think searching a file absolutely not touched ever in the system can > > helps but which one? > > > Symlinks under /etc are a good choice: > > # cd /etc ; ls -ltr | head > total 1242 > lrwxrwxrwx 1 root wheel 23 May 26 2001 termcap@ -> > /usr/share/misc/termcap > lrwxrwxrwx 1 root wheel 13 May 26 2001 rmt@ -> /usr/sbin/rmt > > Regards, > -- > -Chuck > > ___ > freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list > http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions > To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org" On my system, /etc/termcap has the date well after my installation (Jun 28 2010) and /etc/rmt dates to well before (Nov 21 2009). I first installed FreeBSD on this system on Apr 1 2010. -- Sterling (Chip) Camden| sterl...@camdensoftware.com | 2048D/3A978E4F http://camdensoftware.com | http://chipsquips.com | http://chipstips.com pgpd4KqKCYv80.pgp Description: PGP signature
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
Quoth David Demelier on Thursday, 13 January 2011: > Hello folks, > > I'm just guessing if there is a way to know a FreeBSD installation date. > We can't look after the uname -a ident since an update of the FreeBSD > kernel is possible. > > I think searching a file absolutely not touched ever in the system can > helps but which one? > > markand@Melon ~ $ ls -l /root/.cshrc > -rw-r--r-- 2 root wheel 798 19 Jul 04:17 /root/.cshrc > > It seems that this file has the FreeBSD dist access time so can't refers > to neither. > > Do you have any clue? > > Cheers, > > -- > David Demelier > ___ > freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list > http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions > To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org" The date on the /home symlink reflects my install date. I don't think anything would touch that. -- Sterling (Chip) Camden| sterl...@camdensoftware.com | 2048D/3A978E4F http://camdensoftware.com | http://chipsquips.com | http://chipstips.com pgpsDq2vwbc7R.pgp Description: PGP signature
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
On Jan 13, 2011, at 12:28 PM, David Demelier wrote: > I'm just guessing if there is a way to know a FreeBSD installation date. We > can't look after the uname -a ident since an update of the FreeBSD kernel is > possible. > > I think searching a file absolutely not touched ever in the system can helps > but which one? Symlinks under /etc are a good choice: # cd /etc ; ls -ltr | head total 1242 lrwxrwxrwx 1 root wheel 23 May 26 2001 termcap@ -> /usr/share/misc/termcap lrwxrwxrwx 1 root wheel 13 May 26 2001 rmt@ -> /usr/sbin/rmt Regards, -- -Chuck ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org"
Re: Date of a FreeBSD installation
El dÃa Thursday, January 13, 2011 a las 09:28:29PM +0100, David Demelier escribió: > Hello folks, > > I'm just guessing if there is a way to know a FreeBSD installation date. > We can't look after the uname -a ident since an update of the FreeBSD > kernel is possible. > > I think searching a file absolutely not touched ever in the system can > helps but which one? > > markand@Melon ~ $ ls -l /root/.cshrc > -rw-r--r-- 2 root wheel 798 19 Jul 04:17 /root/.cshrc > > It seems that this file has the FreeBSD dist access time so can't refers > to neither. > > Do you have any clue? I always use for this the oldest installed pkg: $ ls -lt /var/db/pkg HIH matthias -- Matthias Apitz t +49-89-61308 351 - f +49-89-61308 399 - m +49-170-4527211 e - w http://www.unixarea.de/ ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscr...@freebsd.org"
