Getting the OpenBSD distribution

Purchase/download a CD-ROM

The best way to get an OpenBSD release (-release) and support us is to buy a 3 CD set. More information is available on our ordering page.

If you choose not to buy an OpenBSD CD-ROM, you can also install OpenBSD with a CDROM you burn yourself. To achieve this, you have to download one of the following ISO files from our mirrors:

• cd54.iso to burn a minimal 5.4 CDROM (roughly 7MB in size, boot only)
• install54.iso to burn a full 5.4 CDROM (roughly 230MB in size, boot + sets)

If you choose cd54.iso, you will need to get the base and X sets via another media or network. Otherwise, if you choose install54.iso, you will not need anything but the application packages.

Note that the paragraph above is also valid for the people interested in running -current. You can fetch install54.iso from the latest snapshot and install or upgrade your system very quickly.

Download via HTTP/FTP

Choose a mirror near you from the following list of HTTP and FTP mirrors which provide OpenBSD:

• HTTP install mirrors
• FTP install mirrors
• Mirror layout

• RSYNC install mirrors
• AFS install mirrors

HTTP

FTP

RSYNC

AFS

• /afs/su.se/services/ftp/pub/OpenBSD
  Located at the University of Stockholm, Sweden.
  CellServDB entries for su.se:

  >su.se             # Stockholm University
  130.237.162.81          #afsdb1.su.se
  130.237.162.82          #afsdb2.su.se
  130.237.162.230         #afsdb3.su.se
  

Structural Layout:

The file structure of each server is roughly:

• /pub/OpenBSD/
  Absolute path for HTTP and FTP mirrors where the OpenBSD FTP collection must be available. This location can be a link, if necessary.

• /pub/OpenBSD/5.4/
  Where you find our most recent release.
  • alpha/
  • amd64/
  • armish/
  • beagle/
  • hp300/
  • hppa/
  • i386/
  • landisk/
  • loongson/
  • luna88k/
  • macppc/
  • mvme68k/
  • mvme88k/
  • octeon/
  • packages/
    Binary packages (pre-compiled ports) to install on your -stable system.
  • sgi/
  • socppc/
  • sparc/
  • sparc64/
  • tools/
    Tools for other operating systems (Windows, Linux and the like) to create boot floppies, change partition sizes and other things.
  • vax/
  • zaurus/
  • src.tar.gz
    Userland sources, which you would place in /usr/src. (This does not include kernel sources)
  • sys.tar.gz
    The Kernel sources, which you would place in /usr/src/sys.
  • ports.tar.gz
    The ports sources, which you would place in /usr/ports.
  • xenocara.tar.gz
    The X Window System (X11) sources.

• /pub/OpenBSD/snapshots/
  For our major architectures, we frequently build releases and binary packages from our development code. This is where we place those test releases.

• /pub/OpenBSD/src/
  This is a cvs checkout of our daily source tree for those who want to access individual files. Normally we recommend the use of AnonCVS instead of mirroring this location. Thus, all ftp mirrors don't mirror this location.

• /pub/OpenBSD/doc/
  The OpenBSD FAQ in PDF and plain text, as well as other OpenBSD-related documentation.

• /pub/OpenBSD/tools/
  Various other little bits.
• /pub/OpenBSD/5.3/
  Layout is similar to the 5.4 release described above.. for the nostalgic.
• /pub/OpenBSD/5.2/
  Layout is similar to the 5.4 release described above.. for the nostalgic.
• /pub/OpenBSD/5.1/
  Layout is similar to the 5.4 release described above.. for the nostalgic.

To be listed on this page we require mirrors to be fast, up-to-date, capable, and well-connected to networks in the region in which they serve. Our policy requires mirrors to carry at least the last two releases in binary form (currently 5.3 and 5.4), snapshots, as well as the other associated directories (including OpenSSH/, OpenNTPD/, OpenBGPD/, patches/ and tools/), and keep them current; snapshots should not be older than a week. Note that in the above, "release" means all files under the specific directory (e.g. 5.4/). This includes all architecture subdirectories and the complete packages subdirectory, with packages for all application architectures. As of 5.4, the minimum space required is approximately 460GB. Depending on the disk space available, mirrors may provide more contents, such as older releases, current source tree, etc.

Operators of mirrors who are interested in having their site added to the list on this page should contact mirrors-discuss@openbsd.org with further details about their site, including network connectivity, geographic location, and general information. We will suggest a suitable second-level mirror to sync from; do not mirror from ftp.openbsd.org.

Mirror operators should subscribe to the low-volume mirrors-announce mailing list.