freebsd stable - Jun 2003 - dmesg -- multiple boot messages

Today I install FreeBSD release 4.8 on a machine for the first time.

This is on a new machine so it could easily have as yet undetected
hardware faults.

I observe the 'dmesg' gives startup information not only for the latest 
boot but also information generated in a number of previous boots.

I've not seen this with earlier FreeBSD realeases including 4.7.

Is it normal for FreeBSD 4.8 or should I be looking for hardware problems?

I notice some change in that the files /var/log/dmesg.{today,yesterday} do
not seem to be produced.

Primary question: Is this normal for FreeBSD 4.8?

Malcolm Kay

On Fri, Jun 06, 2003 at 01:17:39AM +0930, Malcolm Kay wrote:
> I observe the 'dmesg' gives startup information not only for the
latest
> boot but also information generated in a number of previous boots.
> 
> I've not seen this with earlier FreeBSD realeases including 4.7.
> 
> Is it normal for FreeBSD 4.8 or should I be looking for hardware problems?
Yes, that's normal.  Certain BIOSes can be persuaded not to clear the
memory buffer where the dmesg data are stored during reboots.  If this
feature is available, FreeBSD will take advantage of it -- that dmesg
buffer might be your only clue as to why the machine just rebooted at
all.

The /var/log/dmesg.{today,yesterday} files will be produced overnight
by the 700.kernelmsg periodic security script.  Should be automatic in
the default configuration.

	Cheers,

	Matthew

-- 
Dr Matthew J Seaman MA, D.Phil.                       26 The Paddocks
                                                      Savill Way
PGP: http://www.infracaninophile.co.uk/pgpkey         Marlow
Tel: +44 1628 476614                                  Bucks., SL7 1TH UK
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Malcolm Kay wrote:
> I observe the 'dmesg' gives startup information not only for the
latest
> boot but also information generated in a number of previous boots.
Normal.

/var/run/dmesg.boot contains just the dmesg from the most recent boot.


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