FreeBSD `freebsd-update` automation?

Question

freebsd-update command prints updating entries after it downloaded. But it shows them with more. So I have to press some spaces to continue. Is there a way to avoid this behavior? I want to execute update fully automated manner.

Answer 1

Before doing any of this make sure you are familiar with the freebsd-update process, possible ramifications, and requirements. Like any automated update there is a chance it will screw up.

Create the file /usr/local/etc/periodic/weekly/912.freebsd-update with the following:

#!/bin/sh -
#
#

# If there is a global system configuration file, suck it in.
#
if [ -r /etc/defaults/periodic.conf ]
then
    . /etc/defaults/periodic.conf
    source_periodic_confs
fi

case "$weekly_freebsd-update_enable" in
    [Yy][Ee][Ss])
        echo ""
        echo "Updating system via freebsd-update:"

        freebsd-update cron install;;

    *)  rc=0;;
esac

exit $rc

Don't forget chmod +x 912.freebsd-update
Enable it by adding weekly_freebsd-update_enable="YES" to /etc/periodic.conf
Your normal periodic report will contain the log results from the operation (e-mail to root by default).

_{The number 912 is arbitrary, it's just the number I use. You can pick anything in the 900 range and it should work fine.}