Setup OpenBSD 5.5 64-bit

This article walks you through setting up OpenBSD 5.5 (64-bit) on KVM with a Vultr VPS.

Step 1. Login to the Vultr control panel.

Step 2. Click the “DEPLOY” tab.

Step 3. Choose server type and location.

Step 4. Choose “Custom (ISO)” from the “64-bit” tab.

Step 5. You will need to provide an ISO image for the “Virtual ISO” section. Provide the path to the ISO from an “official” source, or with a mirror of your own. Examples:

http://ftp.openbsd.org/pub/OpenBSD/5.5/amd64/install55.iso
ftp://ftp.openbsd.org/pub/OpenBSD/5.5/amd64/install55.iso

Your file will show progress as it uploads.

install55.iso
Uploaded 2014-10-08 22:44:38    progress: 0%        0 MB   

install55.iso
Uploaded 2014-09-10 10:36:29    Available    32bdbd9ebd33709b8996ca9feab64e4b    248 MB

After your file has been uploaded, a checksum will be calculated. In this case the checksum calculated is an MD5.

Step 6. Select your OpenBSD ISO image from the dropdown list (after your ISO has finished uploading). Choose install55.iso from the dropdown list.

Step 7. Choose your desired server size (and associated cost). Then pick any optional features, such as IPv6.

Step 8. Place your order. Once your VPS is ready, the status will indicate “Running”. Note: up to this point, we have not installed OpenBSD. We simply have booted the CD ISO.

Step 9. Access the VPS by clicking on it, then select the “View Console” button. This will launch an HTML5 VNC-like utility called noVNC. You may need to disable your pop-up blocker for Vultr.com.

Step 10. When the console opens, you are presented with the OpenBSD installation shell prompt. The options available are:

(I)nstall, (U)pgrade, (A)utoinstall, or (S)hell

Proceed with your installation type of choice.

Note: noVNC has known to be touchy. When you press the [ENTER] key as your install progresses, just do so lightly and quickly or it may repeat. All in all, noVNC works well, just be careful for keypress repeats.