Re: VirtualBox 7.0, FreeBSD 12.4-RELEASE-amd64, ZFS, and bootpool

On 12/31/23 20:27, Kevin Oberman wrote:
> On Sun, Dec 31, 2023 at 3:11 PM David Christensen <dpchrist@holgerdanske.com>
> wrote:
> 
>> On 12/31/23 00:34, Alexander Burke wrote:
>>> Dec 31, 2023 04:36:42 David Christensen wrote:
>>>> freebsd-questions:
>>>>
>>>> If I use VirtualBox 7.0 (on Debian 11.8 amd64) to create a
>> FreeBSD-12.4-RELEASE-amd64 virtual machine with BIOS (MBR), ZFS boot,
>> encrypted swap, and encrypted ZFS root, the boot pool is not imported
>> automatically when the system boots:
>>>>
>>>> root@geneweb:~ # freebsd-version ; uname -a
>>>> 12.4-RELEASE-p9
>>>> FreeBSD geneweb 12.4-RELEASE-p9 FreeBSD 12.4-RELEASE-p9 GENERIC  amd64
>>>>
>>>> root@geneweb:~ # zpool import
>>>>       pool: bootpool
>>>>         id: 16038363864467226171
>>>>      state: ONLINE
>>>>     action: The pool can be imported using its name or numeric
>> identifier.
>>>>     config:
>>>>
>>>>       bootpool    ONLINE
>>>>         ada0s1a   ONLINE
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Why?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I have seen the defect since FreeBSD-12.1-RELEASE-amd64.  I do not know
>> if it was present earlier.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> How do I arrange for bootpool to be imported automatically at boot?
>>
>>
>>   > FreeBSD 11 is deprecated and out of support. Have you tried with a
>>   > newer version? Quite a few changes to ZFS have happened since then,
>>   > including the switch to OpenZFS.
>>
>>
>> Regarding FreeBSD versions, please re-read my post (above).
>>
>>
>> Regarding FreeBSD ZFS changes, I am reminded of the recent OpenZFS data
>> destruction bug.  And, I recall issues when I evaluated FreeBSD 13/
>> OpenZFS in the past.  I am not inclined to trust my data to OpenZFS
>> unless and until I see improvements in their processes, validation of
>> their processes and code by reputable entities, and no defects
>> discovered for "long enough".  This means FreeBSD 13 is not an option
>> for me at this time.
>>
>>
>> But the major problem is that FreeBSD EoL'd 12.4R today:
>>
>>       https://www.freebsd.org/security/#sup
>>
>>
>> I am screwed.
>>
>>
>> I think the 12.xR line should have continued until OpenZFS is proven and
>> until the FreeBSD 12->13 upgrade boot loader OpenZFS bug is fixed.
>>
> 
> It's not like zfs is mandatory. I run FreeBSD 15-CURRENT on my system with
> UFS and no boot issues. No requirement for ZFS. The installer gives you the
> option of either file system.


I agree that replacing my FreeBSD 12.4R ZFS OS disks with FreeBSD 13.2R 
UFS OS disks should prevent OpenZFS bugs from affecting the OS.  While I 
like ZFS-on-root, I could live with UFS.


But, I very much want my data on ZFS.  The problem is that the recent 
FreeBSD 13/ OpenZFS 2 bugs tell me that they are not as stable as I 
would like.


Is it possible to use Illumos ZFS on FreeBSD 13?  I do not see a 
relevant port:

https://ports.freebsd.org/cgi/ports.cgi?query=zfs&stype=text&sektion=all


David