How to install NetBSD on Vultr using custom iso

Today I want to try custom iso feature that Vultr provide. This time I’ll use NetBSD since the size is small and meet Vultr standard (in their range upload size, at the moment its 5192MB max size ).

Preparation ISO file

At this time NetBSD already reach version 6.1 and I choose to download from master.

  • For NetBSD 6.1.5 iso (x86) click here.
  • For NetBSD 6.1.5 amd64 iso , click here.

For NetBSD legacy version:

  • For NetBSD 5.2.3 iso (amd64), click here.
  • For NetBSD 5.1.5 iso (x86), click here.

Click “My ISOs” link.

upload netbsd iso to vultr

Enter the address of iso file (I use NetBSD-6.1.4-amd64.iso) and click Upload button.

enter url of netbsd iso to vultr upload iso link

Wait for while as Vultr will download it to their system. I let it for game time 🙂

see netbsd iso in uploaded isos on vultrAfter I lose my game I see that ISO successfully uploaded. ISO preparation stage complete.

Create Vultr instance for NetBSD

I choose Paris location, 64 bit and “Custom”.

Select “NetBSD-6.1.4-amd64.iso” from drop down menu and hit “Place Order” button.

choose location of netbsd vps location and select iso file

Running status will be displayed and click “Manage” link to start installation.

netbsd vps provision immediately and you can see the status

Since Vultr don’t know how to install it then we must do it ourselves via “Console” menu.

Click “View Console” to get started.

netbsd vps server information; location, os type and main ip address

If you see this screen as I do then you can continue with next step.

continue install netbsd in vultr using installation message in english

NetBSD provide example of installation process that easy to follow. I follow the steps and end with success.

test netbsd vps server connectivity by ping to google serverRemember to check this section on Vultr :

1. IPV4 section

You see address, netmask and gateway for static ip setting.

vultr_netbsd13

2. Remove iso

You’ll get installation start over and over if you don’t remove ISO from the server.

Ping from my Lubuntu box give me good reply :

alamsyah@alamsyah-Aspire-E1-471:~$ ping 108.61.208.135
PING 108.61.208.135 (108.61.208.135) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from 108.61.208.135: icmp_seq=1 ttl=240 time=356 ms
64 bytes from 108.61.208.135: icmp_seq=2 ttl=238 time=368 ms
64 bytes from 108.61.208.135: icmp_seq=3 ttl=240 time=421 ms
64 bytes from 108.61.208.135: icmp_seq=4 ttl=240 time=381 ms
64 bytes from 108.61.208.135: icmp_seq=5 ttl=238 time=564 ms
64 bytes from 108.61.208.135: icmp_seq=6 ttl=240 time=364 ms
64 bytes from 108.61.208.135: icmp_seq=7 ttl=240 time=394 ms
64 bytes from 108.61.208.135: icmp_seq=8 ttl=240 time=382 ms
64 bytes from 108.61.208.135: icmp_seq=9 ttl=238 time=369 ms
64 bytes from 108.61.208.135: icmp_seq=10 ttl=240 time=411 ms
64 bytes from 108.61.208.135: icmp_seq=11 ttl=240 time=391 ms
^C
— 108.61.208.135 ping statistics —
11 packets transmitted, 11 received, 0% packet loss, time 10011ms
rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 356.595/400.597/564.969/55.259 ms
alamsyah@alamsyah-Aspire-E1-471:~$

Mission complete.

A few notes :

Vultr only provide snapshot and backup service to ‘performance series’ server.

– Server location is the main factor that must be considered. If you live in Germany or Europe you can choose exact location like Frankfurt, DE for your netbsd vps server. Sometime the location is sold out but you’re in a hurry then you can choose other like France or United Kingdom.

– Only activate service you need. If you think your netbsd vps server user came from IPv4 only then no need to activate IPv6 on your netbsd server.

– In some case, partition is big problem. If you’re in a rush and want to make quick server and don’t have time to learn how to make partition you can deploy OS partition like Gparted.