--- a/docs/man/man8/fjail-configure.rst	Tue Nov 29 11:10:24 2022 +0100
+++ b/docs/man/man8/fjail-configure.rst	Wed Nov 30 09:46:29 2022 +0100
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 Synopsis
 --------
 
-**fjail configure** `mountpoint`
+**fjail configure** [**-d**] `mountpoint`
 
 
 Description
@@ -14,36 +14,50 @@
 
 Configure some basic settings of a jail that is mounted at `mountpoint`.
 
-The "root" account within the jail is deactivated.
+.. program:: fjail configure
 
-In the jail's :file:`/etc/rc.conf`::
+.. option:: -d
+
+   Temporarily also mount a standard devfs filesystem to `mountpoint`/dev.
 
-  sendmail_enable="NONE"
-  clear_tmp_enable="YES"
-  clear_tmp_X="NO"
-  syslogd_flags="-ss"
-  bsdstats_enable="NO"
+The following configuration settings are applied:
 
-The timezone is set to "Europe/Berlin" if not yet set.
+  The "root" account within the jail is deactivated.
+
+  In the jail's :file:`/etc/rc.conf`::
 
-The :file:`/etc/resolv.conf` is copied from the host into the jail if
-the target does not exist yet.
+    sendmail_enable="NONE"
+    clear_tmp_enable="YES"
+    clear_tmp_X="NO"
+    syslogd_flags="-ss"
+    bsdstats_enable="NO"
 
-:command:`/usr/bin/newaliases` is called within the jail.
+  The timezone is set to "Europe/Berlin" if not yet set.
 
-In the jail's :file:`/etc/periodic.conf.local`::
+  The :file:`/etc/resolv.conf` is copied from the host into the jail if
+  the target does not exist yet.
 
-  daily_ntpd_leapfile_enable="NO"
-  daily_status_zfs_zpool_list_enable="NO"
-  daily_status_disks_enable="NO"
-  daily_status_uptime_enable="NO"
+  :command:`/usr/bin/newaliases` is called within the jail.
+
+  In the jail's :file:`/etc/periodic.conf.local`::
 
-Can be used for all sort of jails (normal, thin).
+    daily_ntpd_leapfile_enable="NO"
+    daily_status_zfs_zpool_list_enable="NO"
+    daily_status_disks_enable="NO"
+    daily_status_uptime_enable="NO"
+
+This command can be used for all sort of jails (normal, thin).
 
 A proposal for a hostid suitable for use within the jail is printed to
 stdout also; this is done by calling :command:`fjail hostid`.
 
 
+Implementation Notes
+--------------------
+
+A working dev filesystem is typically needed to work properly.
+
+
 See Also
 --------
 

--- a/sbin/fjail	Tue Nov 29 11:10:24 2022 +0100
+++ b/sbin/fjail	Wed Nov 30 09:46:29 2022 +0100
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@
 
     Populate the jail directory in MOUNTPOINT with the base system in BASETXZ
 
-  configure MOUNTPOINT
+  configure [OPTIONS] MOUNTPOINT
 
     Configure some basic parts of the system at MOUNTPOINT:
     disable root password, syslog and other basic configuration settings
@@ -65,6 +65,8 @@
     Also handle thin jails by checking whether "etc" is a symlink to
     "skeleton/etc".
 
+    -d        Temporarily mount a devfs filesystem to MOUNTPOINT/dev
+
    hostid
 
      Print proposals for a hostuuid and hostid
@@ -359,8 +361,29 @@
 command_configure() {
     # mountpoint
     local _mp
+    local _opt_devfs
 
-    local _pcl
+    local _pcl _umount_devfs
+
+    _umount_devfs=""
+
+    _opt_devfs=""
+    while getopts "d" _opt ; do
+        case ${_opt} in
+            d)
+                _opt_devfs="yes"
+                ;;
+            \?)
+                return 2;
+                ;;
+            *)
+                echo "ERROR: option handling failed" 1>&2
+                return 2
+                ;;
+        esac
+    done
+    shift $((OPTIND-1))
+    OPTIND=1
 
     _mp="$1"
 
@@ -373,6 +396,16 @@
         return 1
     fi
 
+    if [ "${_opt_devfs}" = "yes" ]; then
+        if [ ! -c "{_mp}/dev/null" ]; then
+            echo "Mounting devfs"
+            mount -t devfs devfs "${_mp}/dev"
+            _umount_devfs="yes"
+        else
+            echo "devfs is already mounted"
+        fi
+    fi
+
     # Deactive the by default empty root password
     pw -R "${_mp}" usermod -w no -n root
 
@@ -432,6 +465,11 @@
     fi
 
     command_hostid
+
+    if [ "${_umount_devfs}" = "yes" ]; then
+        echo "Unmounting devfs"
+        umount "{_mp}/dev"
+    fi
 }