> 
>  > 2)  base.tar.gz does not include the password file/databases or group file.
>  >     This causes the "sh MAKEDEV all" to create everything as root.wheel.
>  >     Please include these databases in base.tar.gz.
> 
> When you install for the first time, you need the etc.tar.gz set.  The 
> install notes should mention this.
> 

It does not.  The "Installing using a diskless setup" section only
mentions unpacking base.tar.gz.  It even goes so far as to say that
the "sh MAKEDEV all" will generate errors on user/group names due
to the lack of passwd/group files.

robin