Netgate Discussion Forum
    • Categories
    • Recent
    • Tags
    • Popular
    • Users
    • Search
    • Register
    • Login

    Replace pfSense Community install with Netgate appliance

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Official Netgate® Hardware
    8 Posts 3 Posters 943 Views
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • ChrisLynchC
      ChrisLynch
      last edited by

      I have a Netgate 2100 on its way to me, and I'd like to know what the process would be to replacing an x86 pfSense firewall installation would be? Is that supported? I don't want to reconfigure all of the firewall settings. Can the existing config, including certificate services, be exported then imported to the new Netgate firewall?

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • jimpJ jimp moved this topic from Problems Installing or Upgrading pfSense Software on
      • stephenw10S
        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
        last edited by

        If you only have two interfaces you can just import the config, re-assign WAN and LAN and reboot into it and you're done!

        If you have more you will need to configure the switch and VLANs to separate the ports.
        https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/solutions/netgate-2100/switch-overview.html

        If you open a ticket with us we can convert your config directly so it can it just be imported:
        https://www.netgate.com/tac-support-request

        Steve

        ChrisLynchC 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • ChrisLynchC
          ChrisLynch @stephenw10
          last edited by

          @stephenw10 Thanks! I don't have a complex config, other than certs from the internal cert authority I would rather not have to replace. Let alone firewall and DNS config I would rather not have to redo. Once I'll submit a ticket later today with the config.

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • stephenw10S
            stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
            last edited by

            You only need to do any manual conversion if you have more than 2 NICs though. Otherwise just import it to the 2100. It will ask you to re-assign the interfaces. Set WAN as mvneta0 and LAN as mvneta1. Done!

            Steve

            ChrisLynchC 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • ChrisLynchC
              ChrisLynch @stephenw10
              last edited by

              @stephenw10 So I just backup all options from the existing firewall to XML format and then import to the new appliance? I don't have more than 2 interfaces configured, and they are the static physical NIC bindings.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • ChrisLynchC
                ChrisLynch @stephenw10
                last edited by

                @stephenw10 Should be final question: My existing pfSenese CE firewall is at 2.5.2-RELEASE, and the 2100+ appliance is as 22.01. Should I update either of them first before attempting to restore from backup?

                R 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • R
                  rcoleman-netgate Netgate @ChrisLynch
                  last edited by

                  @chrislynch There's no need to. The 2100's newer software will update any config things it has to in order to bring the config up to date.

                  Ryan
                  Repeat, after me: MESH IS THE DEVIL! MESH IS THE DEVIL!
                  Requesting firmware for your Netgate device? https://go.netgate.com
                  Switching: Mikrotik, Netgear, Extreme
                  Wireless: Aruba, Ubiquiti

                  ChrisLynchC 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                  • ChrisLynchC
                    ChrisLynch @rcoleman-netgate
                    last edited by

                    @rcoleman-netgate Thanks! I just completed the replacement and went kinda painless. Outside of cable modem issue, the firewall replacement process was a breeze!

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                    • First post
                      Last post
                    Copyright 2025 Rubicon Communications LLC (Netgate). All rights reserved.