How configure unplugged pfSense WAN interfaces?

Irk 0

I'm setting up a new pfSense box with 3 WAN interfaces: WAN_CABLE (DHCP), WAN_DSL (PPPoE) and WAN_BACKUP (DHCP).

With all WAN interfaces disconnected, only WAN_DSL_PPPOE is listed in System->Routing->Gateways->Add.

If I hook up WAN_CABLE and WAN_BACKUP, I can then see them and configure them in a gateway group.

But if WAN_CABLE and WAN_BACKUP are disconnected, they are not available to configure into a new Gateway Group.

Here's what I see if the NICs are unplugged and I try to create new Gateway Group:

And here's what I see once the NICs are plugged in and I try to create a new Gateway Group:

So is it possible to configure interfaces into Gateway Groups when they are disconnected?

Have I perhaps missed something in my config that means WAN_CABLE and WAN_BACKUP are not deemed to be WAN interfaces until they are plugged in?

Would I perhaps have to add the WAN_CABLE and WAN_BACKUP gateways manually to do this (I'm guessing not, as this would seem to require specifying a fixed IP address for each gateway, and these gateways each need to get their IP address from their upstream DHCP server)?

The odd thing is I "was" sure I configured Gateway Groups on a test box recently without the NICs being plugged in, or having to manually configure gateways; but now I am not so sure!

stephenw10

Dynamic gateways like that do not have a stored config by default so would not be shown there. To create a config, edit the gateway while it is plugged in and save it, you don't have to make any changes. It should then be available to edit or add to a group all the time.

Steve

Irk 0

Thanks for confirming @stephenw10.

I must have misremembered how I configured things before then!

I can't see how one can see what's configured in the UI if the interfaces are offline though; i.e. one sees this when the interfaces are offline:

And this when the interfaces are back online (so it's good the settings are retained):

I note that while the interfaces are down one can export a backup XML file (Diagnostics->Backup & Restore->Download configuration as XML) and see the configuration there; i.e.:

...
	<gateways>
		<gateway_group>
			<name>PREFER_WAN_DSL</name>
			<item>WAN_CABLE_DHCP|3|address</item>
			<item>WAN_BACKUP_DHCP|5|address</item>
			<item>WAN_DSL_PPPOE|1|address</item>
			<trigger>down</trigger>
			<descr><![CDATA[WAN_DSL=1, WAN_CABLE=3, WAN_BACKUP=5]]></descr>
		</gateway_group>
		<gateway_group>
			<name>PREFER_WAN_CABLE</name>
			<item>WAN_CABLE_DHCP|1|address</item>
			<item>WAN_BACKUP_DHCP|5|address</item>
			<item>WAN_DSL_PPPOE|3|address</item>
			<trigger>down</trigger>
			<descr><![CDATA[WAN_CABLE=1, WAN_DSL=3, WAN_BACKUP=5]]></descr>
		</gateway_group>
		<defaultgw4>PREFER_WAN_DSL</defaultgw4>
		<defaultgw6></defaultgw6>
	</gateways>
...

It would be helpful if one could see that info in the UI somehow.

stephenw10

It doesn't show the dynamic gateways because they do not exist when the DHCO client has not connected. If you check the config you will find there is no gateway config for them.
If you edit and save it though whilst it's connected that creates the gateways in the config file and allows them to be shown when off-line.

Steve

Irk 0

Ah, thanks @stephenw10 .

You've made me look for other places I can see the config and now realise there's a separate Status->Gateways->Gateway Groups page, which shows the following saved configuration regardless of whether the WAN interfaces are online or offline:

I was expecting to see that info on the page one configures it (i.e. System->Routing->Gateway Groups).

I suppose the PPPoE WAN interface is always shown under System->Routing->Gateways / System->Routing->Gateways->Gateway Groups (even when it's offline) because it's a special case of adapter for tunneling PPP frames over Ethernet. I think that's a large part of what was confusing me.

stephenw10

Yes, PPPoE has special handling even though it's also a dynamic gateway. That will also appear in the config if you edit and save it though.

Steve