OpenBSD Handbook

    Theme
    • Part I. Install & Configure
      • Introduction
      • Installing OpenBSD
      • The X Window System
      • Networking
      • System Configuration
      • OpenBSD Basics
      • Managing Software: Packages and Ports
    • Part II. Daily Operations
      • Graphical Environments
      • Multimedia
      • Printing
      • Linux Compatibility
      • Windows Compatibility
      • Games
    • Part III. System Administration
      • Virtualization
      • Storage and File Systems
      • Updating and Upgrading
      • Localization
      • The OpenBSD Boot Process
      • Security
    • Part IV. Networking & Daemons
      • Services
        • Database
          • MariaDB
          • PostgreSQL
          • Redis
          • memcached
        • Directory
          • YP (NIS)
          • LDAP
        • File
          • NFS
          • Samba
        • FTP Services
          • ftpd
          • ProFTPD
          • vsftpd
          • Pure-FTPd
          • TFTP
        • Mail
          • smtpd
          • Dovecot
          • Postfix
          • Exim
          • Rspamd
        • Name
          • Unbound
          • NSD
          • BIND
        • Networking
          • OpenBGPD
          • rad
          • DHCP
          • slaacd
        • Web
          • Apache
          • nginx
          • httpd
          • relayd
        • Logging
          • syslogd
        • Monitoring
          • SNMP
        • Remote Access
          • Audit OpenSSH
          • sshd
        • File Synchronization
          • rsync
        • Messaging
          • RabbitMQ
        • Time
          • NTP
      • PF
        • pfctl cheat sheet
        • PF Anchors
        • PF Filter Rules
        • PF Forwarding
        • PF Lists and Macros
        • PF Load Balancing
        • PF Logging
        • PF NAT
        • PF Options
        • PF Policies
        • PF Shortcuts
        • PF Tables
      • Advanced Networking
        • High Availability and State Replication
        • Multi-WAN and Policy-Based Routing
        • VPN and Cryptographic Tunneling
        • Classic and Lightweight Tunnels
        • IPv6 at Scale
        • QoS and Traffic Shaping
        • MPLS and Label Distribution
        • Network Services at Scale
        • Virtualization and Host Networking
        • Large-Scale L2 and L3 Design
        • Telemetry, Logging, and Flow Export
        • Hardening and Operational Safety
        • Reference Architectures
        • Troubleshooting Playbooks
      • Serial Communication
    • Part V. Miscellaneous
      • Virtualization Cheat Sheet
      • OpenBSD Cheatsheet
      • How-to Guides
        • Complete the First 30 Minutes After Installation
        • Check Hardware Compatibility Before Installing
        • Bootstrap Wi-Fi Firmware Without Ethernet
        • Set Up OpenBSD as a Laptop or Workstation
        • Configure Laptop Power Management
        • Run OpenBSD as a Virtual Machine Guest
        • Install OpenBSD on a VPS or Cloud Server
        • Install OpenBSD with Full-Disk Encryption
        • Troubleshoot Web Browsers on OpenBSD
        • Create an Administrator Account with doas and SSH Keys
        • Establish a Conservative Security Baseline
        • Manage OpenBSD with Ansible
        • Recover Access and Reset the Root Password
        • Collect OpenBSD Diagnostic Evidence
        • Configure Secure Remote Access with OpenSSH
        • Set Up WordPress
        • Build Third-Party Software from Ports
        • Use FIDO Security Keys with OpenSSH
        • Build OpenBSD from Source
        • Configure Wi-Fi Roaming and Wired Failover
        • Dual-Boot OpenBSD on a UEFI System
        • Troubleshoot PF, NAT, and Routing
        • Automate OpenBSD Installation with Autoinstall and PXE
        • Route Multiple VLANs with PF
        • Configure a Road-Warrior WireGuard VPN
        • Troubleshoot Package Installation and Update Failures
        • Route IPv6 Networks without NAT
        • Schedule Recurring Maintenance
        • Plan a Docker Workload Migration to OpenBSD
        • Build a Mail Server with OpenSMTPD, Dovecot, and Rspamd
        • Build a Simple Router and Firewall
        • Monitor an OpenBSD System
        • Back Up and Restore an OpenBSD System
        • Configure softraid RAID1
        • Recover an OpenBSD System That Does Not Boot
        • Install Z shell (zsh)
      • OpenBSD for Linux Users
      • OpenBSD for FreeBSD Users
      • OpenBSD for macOS Users
    • OpenBSD FAQ
    • OpenBSD Package Search

      Part III. System Administration

      Part III of the OpenBSD Handbook covers administrative responsibilities involved in managing an OpenBSD system. It addresses system startup, localization, security practices, storage management, upgrades, and virtualization.

      This section includes:

      • The OpenBSD Boot Process An overview of the system startup sequence, including the boot loader, kernel initialization, and multi-user mode.

      • Storage and File Systems Configuration and management of storage devices, disk partitioning, file systems, and related utilities.

      • Localization Configuring language, keyboard layouts, time zones, and locale-specific settings.

      • Security System hardening, privilege management, authentication methods, and security auditing.

      • Updating and Upgrading Procedures for applying patches, performing minor updates, and upgrading to new releases.

      • Virtualization Running OpenBSD as a host or guest using supported virtualization technologies.

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