This guide will be continually updated as both FreeBSD and Firebird RDBMS change over time.
Newest changes (as of May 2025) are:
- - Using a custom ZFS pool under Firebird databases for snapshotting and DB size visibility.
- - Change to Firebird's new authentication system (gsec no longer used)
- - Creation of an automated backup system
Ok, as always, update the machine to the latest security updates:
Switch to root:
"su -l"
Fetch and Install updates. I found I was on 14.1, and 14.2 was now the latest production release - time to upgrade!
"freebsd-update -r 14.2-RELEASE upgrade"
# Install firebird
"pkg install firebird40-server"
# As root, configure the sysdba user (gsec is deprecated - ignore the instructions at the end of the install)
"isql-fb -u sysdba employee"
SQL> create user SYSDBA password 'something criptic';
SQL> commit;
SQL> exit;
# Enable firebird on startup
sysrc firebird_enable="YES"
# Setup the config file
"cp /usr/local/etc/firebird/firebird.conf.sample /usr/local/etc/firebird/firebird.conf"
# Adjust the config - I like to prevent long statements (Change from Unlimited to 20s)
StatementTimeout = 20
# See if Firebird will start
"service firebird start"
"service firebird status" should return the PID of the running server
Done.
