I know this is old, but I'm sure someone else will attempt this or something similar and I hope my experience will help them.

In addition to the specs above, it also has both floppy and IDE headers, but cannot boot from ide cdrom. I have not tried booting from ide hd nor scsi cdrom. It has all sorts of headers on the board that could be PS/2, usb, or even vga, but I was unable to identify them as such.

The instructions above did not help me as I was unable to acquire any linux on a floppy that supported console over serial AND netcat.

What I did was:

1.) yank the scsi hard drive and connect it to another box(preferably with 2 NICs) with it as the only hd available.
2.) Boot up the pfsense-1.2.3 livecd and hit the 'i' option towards the end of booting to jump right into the test-mode installer.
3.) Install as normal using the uniprocessor kernel if asked. reboot
NOTE: DO NOT use the embedded kernel!  It supports serial on console, but does not support the scsi controller.
4.) Assign your interfaces however you like. If you have only 1 on this box, assign the lan interface, then type 'exit' for the wan.
5.) set the lan ip from the menu, selecting to NOT run dhcp.
6.) Fire up your favorite browser and go to: http://[lan_ip]/  logging in as admin:pfsense
7.) Click on System, then Advanced and check the first box: "This will enable the first serial port with 9600/8/N/1", click save.
NOTE: If you don't do this, then when pfsense boots up on the ce507, it finds your network interfaces are wrong, and asks you to reconfigure them, you won't be able to as you won't have anything on your console.
8.) If you don't want just anyone to be able to walk up to your box with a console cable and have root then go back to System, Advanced, scroll down to Miscellaneous and check the box for "Console menu" which requires a password on the console.
9.) shutdown, then put the hd back in the ce507 and boot it up with a console cable attached.
10.) enjoy

Before I did it this way, I spent 3 solid days of working all day long on various methods including:
1.) finding or building a linux floppy with console on serial AND netcat.
2.) making a floppy to chain boot an IDE cdrom
3.) making a floppy to chain network boot to install over network
4.) screwing with the embedded kernel to get it to see the scsi controller.
5.) Smashing my head on the desk.

Number 5 gave me some relief, but once I realized I had an old dell boat anchor out back with scsi support, my final method above gave the best results.
I hope my documented work spares some poor soul going through what I did.

The product listed here are pretty close in spec to what I used:

http://www.delikon.com/at.html

If you want to run packages like Squid, the full install with a HDD is the way to go.

Saw your post on the other sub-forum.  If reliability is an issue, I believe pfSense 2.0 supports RAID 1 so that might be an option for HDD full installs.

Hi,
I'm extracted the bios from my firebox but it's an X6000 so a different beast. However the procedure should be the same. See my post here: http://forum.pfsense.org/index.php/topic,25011.msg133174.html#msg133174
Probably best to read the surrounding few posts too.
Basically you boot from a CF card with freedos on it. You need that to run awdflash (assuming it's an award bios). The image I link to is already configured to switch to a serial console.

@nambi: the X-core and X-peak are both much more powerful than the firebox 111. Both have hardware encryption on board but only the X-core encryption is supported by pfsense.

Steve

@stramato:

Intel Pro 100/1000 Dual Port is hard to find Intel Pro 100/1000 Quad port is very expensive and harder to find Most new motherboards only have 2-3 classic PCI slots

I'm building a 4-WAN load balancer.

on-board LAN goes to LAN
PCI Ethernet goes to WAN1
PCI Ethernet goes to WAN2
USB Ethernet goes to WAN3
USB Ethernet goes to WAN4

will something like this work with FreeBSD pfSense 1.2.3?
http://cgi.ebay.ph/USB-LAN-RJ45-Ethernet-10-100-MBPS-Network-Adapter-/270508484037

Don't really care about it's speed. Since my WAN's are just 4Mbps down / 0.5Mbps up DSL

Since you're willing to buy off ebay, look for the Hong Kong sellers selling the Intel MT Dual-port Server adapters.  They're about US$27 each inclusive of shipping and the sellers ship internationally.  I bought a pair from them and they work like a charm on 1.2.3 final with the em(4) drivers.  I use one in my cybercafe with a 3m/ 768k dsl line and one at home with a 15m/ 1.5m cable connection.
I have since switched to 2.0 after most of the webgui bugs were cleared off.

See here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Intel-8492MT-1000-MT-dual-port-server-PCI-network-card-/320552969530?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0

@n00b13:

With that being said, can anyone confirm if…

the netxtreme (broadcom) NIC will work on a PCI slot? or is the intel 82558 chip supported by pfsense?

thanks!

1)  The pictures of the NC3131 suggest that it has no issues with the board because both voltage keys are present on the card, see:

2)  The FXP driver supports the 82558 chip so you'll have no issues.

I personally have the Intel MT Dual port PCI-X adapter running on both a D201GLY2 and a D945GCLF2.  Works fine for me.

I use both Netgear and D-Link gigabit rack mount switches all over the place and couldn't be happier myself…  I did lose a port on a Netgear once after a lightning strike...

:P

Did you change the port's bit rate in the BIOS to 9600 to accomodate pfSense? If not, try connecting with 38400/8/N/1. That's the default setting.

Awesome!

It was actually "/etc/inc/interfaces.inc" but you pointed me in the correct direction.

Thanks that worked great.

Always nice to have a good friendly "staff"

It's important to note that you are looking for a NIC with SFP-support, not a fibre-channel card (these are for storage area networking only).

I do this for mlppp and it works fine.

Kind of an Old topic but..

I've personally converted the following to run pfsense.

Nokia IP330 - There are many different configurations for this. See here - http://community.smoothwall.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=190620#p190620

k6-266/400 or p1-166

256pc133 ram

20gb HDD or 8gb HDD

3 10/100 LAN Interfaces

LanRover/Shiva 3105 - Has single PCI slot, 2 USB ports, Keyboard and Mouse port. More info Here - http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1357559

Celeron 733

64pc133 ECC

16meg CF card

2 10/100 LAN Interfaces

Watchgaurd Firebox x700

http://forum.pfsense.org/index.php?topic=7458.0

The nokia was the "hardest" to convert as I couldn't just drop a cf card in, I had to actually remove the hard drive and put it in a PC to install pfsense to it.

The 3105 is an interesting thing, its based on the bx440 chip and is basically a p3 pc. I currently have 1gb of ECC ram in mine. I installed a video card in the PCI slot and was able to run windows, knoppix and debian on it, I eventually installed debian server on it, removed the video card and am using it for light in-house web serving. The USB and Keyboard/Mouse ports are covered by the case but are functional should you wish to make the openings. All that's needed for pfsense is to swap the CF card for one with pfsense installed.

The firebox has been flawless with the exception of the cpu fan failing. Found a replacement fan on ebay for 5$.

anything in the system logs?

There's also dmidecode. Run:

pkg_add -r dmidecode

to get it. Then just run dmidecode. Sample output:

dmidecode 2.10 SMBIOS 2.2 present. 34 structures occupying 880 bytes. Table at 0x000F0800. Handle 0x0000, DMI type 0, 19 bytes BIOS Information        Vendor: Phoenix Technologies, LTD        Version: 6.00 PG        Release Date: 10/25/2005        Address: 0xE0000        Runtime Size: 128 kB        ROM Size: 512 kB        Characteristics:                ISA is supported                PCI is supported                PNP is supported                APM is supported                BIOS is upgradeable                BIOS shadowing is allowed                ESCD support is available                Boot from CD is supported                Selectable boot is supported                BIOS ROM is socketed                EDD is supported                5.25"/360 kB floppy services are supported (int 13h)                5.25"/1.2 MB floppy services are supported (int 13h)                3.5"/720 kB floppy services are supported (int 13h)                3.5"/2.88 MB floppy services are supported (int 13h)                Print screen service is supported (int 5h)                8042 keyboard services are supported (int 9h)                Serial services are supported (int 14h)                Printer services are supported (int 17h)                CGA/mono video services are supported (int 10h)                ACPI is supported                USB legacy is supported                AGP is supported                LS-120 boot is supported                ATAPI Zip drive boot is supported Handle 0x0001, DMI type 1, 25 bytes System Information        Manufacturer:        Product Name:        Version:        Serial Number:        UUID: Not Present        Wake-up Type: Power Switch Handle 0x0002, DMI type 2, 8 bytes Base Board Information        Manufacturer:        Product Name: i855GM/E-ITE8712        Version:        Serial Number: Handle 0x0003, DMI type 3, 13 bytes Chassis Information        Manufacturer:        Type: Desktop        Lock: Not Present        Version:        Serial Number:        Asset Tag:        Boot-up State: Unknown        Power Supply State: Unknown        Thermal State: Unknown        Security Status: Unknown Handle 0x0004, DMI type 4, 32 bytes Processor Information        Socket Designation: Socket 478        Type: Central Processor        Family: Other        Manufacturer: Intel        ID: D8 06 00 00 FF FB E9 AF        Version: Intel(R) Celeron(R) M processor        Voltage: 1.2 V        External Clock: 100 MHz        Max Speed: 3066 MHz        Current Speed: 1600 MHz        Status: Populated, Enabled        Upgrade: ZIF Socket        L1 Cache Handle: 0x0008        L2 Cache Handle: 0x0009        L3 Cache Handle: No L3 Cache Handle 0x0005, DMI type 5, 20 bytes Memory Controller Information        Error Detecting Method: 8-bit Parity        Error Correcting Capabilities:                None        Supported Interleave: One-way Interleave        Current Interleave: One-way Interleave        Maximum Memory Module Size: 2048 MB        Maximum Total Memory Size: 4096 MB        Supported Speeds:                Other        Supported Memory Types:                Other        Memory Module Voltage: 5.0 V        Associated Memory Slots: 2                0x0006                0x0007        Enabled Error Correcting Capabilities:                None Handle 0x0006, DMI type 6, 12 bytes Memory Module Information        Socket Designation: A0        Bank Connections: 0 1        Current Speed: Unknown        Type: Other        Installed Size: 1024 MB (Double-bank Connection)        Enabled Size: 1024 MB (Double-bank Connection)        Error Status: OK Handle 0x0007, DMI type 6, 12 bytes Memory Module Information        Socket Designation: A1        Bank Connections: None        Current Speed: Unknown        Type: Unknown        Installed Size: Not Installed        Enabled Size: Not Installed        Error Status: OK Handle 0x0008, DMI type 7, 19 bytes Cache Information        Socket Designation: Internal Cache        Configuration: Enabled, Not Socketed, Level 1        Operational Mode: Write Back        Location: Internal        Installed Size: 32 kB        Maximum Size: 32 kB        Supported SRAM Types:                Synchronous        Installed SRAM Type: Synchronous        Speed: Unknown        Error Correction Type: Unknown        System Type: Unknown        Associativity: Unknown Handle 0x0009, DMI type 7, 19 bytes Cache Information        Socket Designation: External Cache        Configuration: Enabled, Not Socketed, Level 2        Operational Mode: Write Back        Location: External        Installed Size: 1024 kB        Maximum Size: 1024 kB        Supported SRAM Types:                Synchronous        Installed SRAM Type: Synchronous        Speed: Unknown        Error Correction Type: Unknown        System Type: Unknown        Associativity: Unknown Handle 0x000A, DMI type 8, 9 bytes Port Connector Information        Internal Reference Designator: PRIMARY IDE        Internal Connector Type: On Board IDE        External Reference Designator: Not Specified        External Connector Type: None        Port Type: Other Handle 0x000B, DMI type 8, 9 bytes Port Connector Information        Internal Reference Designator: SECONDARY IDE        Internal Connector Type: On Board IDE        External Reference Designator: Not Specified        External Connector Type: None        Port Type: Other Handle 0x000C, DMI type 8, 9 bytes Port Connector Information        Internal Reference Designator: FDD        Internal Connector Type: On Board Floppy        External Reference Designator: Not Specified        External Connector Type: None        Port Type: 8251 FIFO Compatible Handle 0x000D, DMI type 8, 9 bytes Port Connector Information        Internal Reference Designator: COM1        Internal Connector Type: 9 Pin Dual Inline (pin 10 cut)        External Reference Designator:        External Connector Type: DB-9 male        Port Type: Serial Port 16450 Compatible Handle 0x000E, DMI type 8, 9 bytes Port Connector Information        Internal Reference Designator: COM2        Internal Connector Type: 9 Pin Dual Inline (pin 10 cut)        External Reference Designator:        External Connector Type: DB-9 male        Port Type: Serial Port 16450 Compatible Handle 0x000F, DMI type 8, 9 bytes Port Connector Information        Internal Reference Designator: LPT1        Internal Connector Type: DB-25 female        External Reference Designator:        External Connector Type: DB-25 female        Port Type: Parallel Port ECP/EPP Handle 0x0010, DMI type 8, 9 bytes Port Connector Information        Internal Reference Designator: Keyboard        Internal Connector Type: PS/2        External Reference Designator:        External Connector Type: PS/2        Port Type: Keyboard Port Handle 0x0011, DMI type 8, 9 bytes Port Connector Information        Internal Reference Designator: PS/2 Mouse        Internal Connector Type: PS/2        External Reference Designator:        External Connector Type: PS/2        Port Type: Mouse Port Handle 0x0012, DMI type 8, 9 bytes Port Connector Information        Internal Reference Designator: Not Specified        Internal Connector Type: None        External Reference Designator: USB0        External Connector Type: Other        Port Type: USB Handle 0x0013, DMI type 8, 9 bytes Port Connector Information        Internal Reference Designator: Not Specified        Internal Connector Type: None        External Reference Designator: USB1        External Connector Type: Other        Port Type: USB Handle 0x0014, DMI type 9, 13 bytes System Slot Information        Designation: PCI0        Type: 32-bit PCI        Current Usage: In Use        Length: Long        ID: 1        Characteristics:                5.0 V is provided                PME signal is supported Handle 0x0015, DMI type 9, 13 bytes System Slot Information        Designation: PCI1        Type: 32-bit PCI        Current Usage: Available        Length: Long        ID: 2        Characteristics:                5.0 V is provided                PME signal is supported Handle 0x0016, DMI type 9, 13 bytes System Slot Information        Designation: PCI2        Type: 32-bit PCI        Current Usage: In Use        Length: Long        ID: 3        Characteristics:                5.0 V is provided                PME signal is supported Handle 0x0017, DMI type 9, 13 bytes System Slot Information        Designation: PCI3        Type: 32-bit PCI        Current Usage: In Use        Length: Long        ID: 4        Characteristics:                5.0 V is provided                PME signal is supported Handle 0x0018, DMI type 9, 13 bytes System Slot Information        Designation: AGP        Type: 32-bit AGP        Current Usage: Available        Length: Long        ID: 8        Characteristics:                5.0 V is provided Handle 0x0019, DMI type 13, 22 bytes BIOS Language Information        Installable Languages: 3                n|US|iso8859-1                n|US|iso8859-1                r|CA|iso8859-1        Currently Installed Language: n|US|iso8859-1 Handle 0x001A, DMI type 16, 15 bytes Physical Memory Array        Location: System Board Or Motherboard        Use: System Memory        Error Correction Type: None        Maximum Capacity: 2 GB        Error Information Handle: Not Provided        Number Of Devices: 2 Handle 0x001B, DMI type 17, 21 bytes Memory Device        Array Handle: 0x001A        Error Information Handle: Not Provided        Total Width: 64 bits        Data Width: 64 bits        Size: 1024 MB        Form Factor: DIMM        Set: None        Locator: A0        Bank Locator: Bank0/1        Type: SDRAM        Type Detail: Synchronous Handle 0x001C, DMI type 17, 21 bytes Memory Device        Array Handle: 0x001A        Error Information Handle: Not Provided        Total Width: Unknown        Data Width: Unknown        Size: No Module Installed        Form Factor: DIMM        Set: None        Locator: A1        Bank Locator: Bank2/3        Type: Unknown        Type Detail: Unknown Handle 0x001D, DMI type 19, 15 bytes Memory Array Mapped Address        Starting Address: 0x00000000000        Ending Address: 0x0003FFFFFFF        Range Size: 1 GB        Physical Array Handle: 0x001A        Partition Width: 0 Handle 0x001E, DMI type 20, 19 bytes Memory Device Mapped Address        Starting Address: 0x00000000000        Ending Address: 0x0003FFFFFFF        Range Size: 1 GB        Physical Device Handle: 0x001B        Memory Array Mapped Address Handle: 0x001D        Partition Row Position: 1 Handle 0x001F, DMI type 20, 19 bytes Memory Device Mapped Address        Starting Address: 0x00000000000        Ending Address: 0x000000003FF        Range Size: 1 kB        Physical Device Handle: 0x001C        Memory Array Mapped Address Handle: 0x001D        Partition Row Position: 1 Handle 0x0020, DMI type 32, 11 bytes System Boot Information        Status: No errors detected Handle 0x0021, DMI type 127, 4 bytes End Of Table

Some hardware provides better, more thorough info. Most hardware from major manufacturers (Dell, HP, Supermicro, etc.) will list the make, model, serial number, and more, where a lot of that above is blank on that particular piece of hardware. It just pulls the DMI info the hardware makes available, which varies.

There is an alpha version available for the RS Pro, see devwiki.pfsense.org for info.

I used to use one. It would only run the RC for 1.2.3 for some reason. It was slow. I don't recommend it. I suggest getting a newer unit.

How about a SuperMicro Twin?

http://www.supermicro.com/products/nfo/1UTwin.cfm