Introduction

Updating FreeBSD is very easy, especially within the release cycles. It does not matter whether this takes place on the pure base system or in ‘think jails’. The procedure is always the same.

System

Updates XX.Y

freebsd-update fetch   # Download the latest patches
freebsd-update install # Installation

Release Upgrades XX.Y - XX.Z

freebsd-update -r XX.Z-RELEASE upgrade # Use and download new release
freebsd-update install                 # First phase of installation
reboot
freebsd-update install                 # Second phase of installation

Packages

Find out BEFOREhand whether there are any important changes to your installed services and whether adjustments need to be made.

pkg upgrade -y         # Upgrade of all packages
pkg clean -y           # Remove old downloads