===== Installing FreeBSD =====

==== Base System ====

The first step is to find out which [[MarkLinimon/WorkAreaPlatforms|platform]] you are running on.  If you are unsure,
you are probably running **amd64**.

=== Desktops, Laptops, and Servers ===

The best documentation for installation for desktops, laptops, and servers is the
[[https://www.freebsd.org/doc/handbook/|FreeBSD Handbook]]:

  * [[https://www.freebsd.org/doc/handbook/bsdinstall.html|Installing FreeBSD Itself]]

Most people will be able to use %%FreeBSD%% without customizing the kernel.  However, the Handbook also has
[[https://www.freebsd.org/doc/handbook/kernelconfig.html|instructions]] on how to build your own kernel.
There is an introduction that explains
[[https://www.freebsd.org/doc/handbook/kernelconfig-custom-kernel.html|why you might wish to do so]].

=== Small Systems (aka Embedded Systems) ===

There is some [[MarkLinimon/WorkAreaSmallSystems|preliminary documentation]] for installing %%FreeBSD%% on small systems (for instance, ARM-based).

Many people will need to investigate
[[https://www.freebsd.org/doc/handbook/kernelconfig-custom-kernel.html|how to build a custom kernel]].

==== Additional Applications (packages and ports) ====

Almost everyone will wish to install additional applications, whether for system administration, creating
web servers, software development, and so forth.

Again, from the [[https://www.freebsd.org/doc/handbook/|Handbook]]:

  * [[https://www.freebsd.org/doc/handbook/ports.html|Installing Applications: Packages and Ports]]