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Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:33:38 +0200 (CEST)
From: Wojciech Puchar <wojtek@wojtek.tensor.gdynia.pl>
To: Manolis Kiagias <sonicy@otenet.gr>
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References: <484FA0BF.9000402@wlansystems.com> <484FB168.1070900@otenet.gr>
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Cc: Heikki Suonsivu <hsu@wlansystems.com>, freebsd-questions@freebsd.org
Subject: Re: FreeBSD-like linux distro?
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> http://lists.freebsd.org/pipermail/freebsd-doc/2006-August/011029.html

now i made my tests with FreeBSD 7. no installer, my semi-custom kernel i 
use everywhere on x86 (everything moduled, all needed things in 
loader.conf).

i used qemu

results:

16MB RAM - boots without problems, no swapping at all
12MB - boots without problems, little bit swapping
10MB - boots without problems, more swapping, hanged after booting 
multiuser, before displaying login. probably out of kernel memory for 
consoles
10MB again - after turning of all consoles but the first, boots fine, 
somehow usable, but for routers should be OK.


then i made REALLY custom kernel. minimal but enough for a router.

was able to get down to 9MB.


so - on 12MB 486DX, FreeBSD 7 is useful system for routing, firewalling, 
small nameserver, general control etc.

with 16MB - swap is barely touched.

486DX machines with 8-16MB RAM and small (like 100-500MB) disks are for 
free here, ISA network cards too.

good to know they can run newest FreeBSD release!