there is no mention of a /boot directory in the complete freebsd. i looked on page 230 and in the index. i have also looked on the web. no mention of /boot. i was told that i cannot start my root `/' directory from a vinum drive. because the kernel has to be loaded for the vinum drives to be accessed. this should not be a problem if there was a separate /boot directory which can be mounted on it's own partition; as it is currently on my system.

/dev/hda1 /boot /dev/hdd1 /

i have not yet had anyone answer me as to whether or not there is a /boot directory in FreeBSD. if there is not; where is the operational kernel located (the one that runs the system)? what is the name of that directory (if there is one)? is the kernel just `out in the open' as i have seen with the (default) Makefile for compiling the linux kernel? i saw something about BootEasy being kept in the MBR; but i don't think the MBR is a valid directory. in linux i have a separate partition for my /boot directory. i have to, or i wouldn't be able to start my computer! my `/' directory is out of range for that 1024 cylinder limit. in fact, it's (my current operational kernel) on my 4th drive (i have another [3 linux-mandrake kernels] on the third drive; which i can `chroot /mnt' to) i am quite sure that FreeBSD is subject to the same limitations as every other system that runs on x86 architecture; namely that all of the boot mechanisms must be below the 1024 cylinder limit set by intel chips.