pfSense Plus Software Version 23.01 BETA Now Available

NRgia

Unfortunately not all of us can test Snapshots or Beta versions of pfSense+. For example I'm using pfSense+ 22.05. If I update to 23.01 BETA and something breaks, I will need to do the following:

install pfSense CE 2.6.0

Upgrade to pfSense+ 22.01 and/or 22.05 (not sure if 22.01 is still presented as an option anymore)

Finally update to pfSense+ 23.01 BETA

This is not something that I will do every time something happens.

Please let us know when images will be available for white boxes also, if testing is needed.

Thank you

saerdna

Missing the Beta-Image for pfSense CE?
Since 2.6.0 only Plus images have been released, no security updates for CE.
If you don't want to maintain CE anymore, please be fair to the users an tell them, so anybody can look around for alternatives ...

Gertjan

@saerdna

'pfSense' is pfSense-Plus.
So, they focus on that version, and when it's stable, out, confirmed, good, etc, the CE version will get derived form that.
Don't forget : CE can run on whatever hardware if it contains an 'amd' (or Intel) processor.
( and this opens the door to a zillion other issues).

If I was a developer, I would focus on software that runs on hardware that I know of, like Netgate devices, as pfSense Plus is sold on Netgate devices. When that is stable, I would broaden the scope.

If Netgate would stop supporting the CE version you would be the first to know as they would have posted a blog informing us about that.
They didn't.

And while you're looking for alternatives : Add "pfSense Plus" to your list, as it is free.

All this is MHO of course ;)

saerdna

@gertjan for many years pfSense was pfSense CE, and the version for netgate hardware was derived from it. So it received all security updates as a first class citizen. Since CE 2.6.0 only new versions for plus have been released, so no security updates for CE since that time.
I think a CE version can have less features compared to a plus version, but should not have a lack of security related updates, especially not a firewall.

Your argument concerning the focus to known hardware is not correct, because with plus it's now possible to run it on any hardware.

You mention plus as an alternative, but its not the same, for plus you need a commercial license that is currently free, but how long?

For me it seems netgate shuts down CE maintainance to switch the users to the currently "free" plus license, again with lack of security related updates ce is useless ...

Gertjan

@saerdna said in pfSense Plus Software Version 23.01 BETA Now Available:

Your argument concerning the focus to known hardware is not correct, because with plus it's now possible to run it on any hardware.

The current stable pfSense Plus is also based on FreeBSD 12.3, like CE 2.6.0 did not receive any security updates neither.
I tend to say : as this wasn't needed because no 'security' issues.
But I see where this is going, I'm bailing out.

cappie

@saerdna I'm curious, you keep mentioning "security updates" Plus has gotten but CE hasn't. Can you site specifics or provide a source we can followup on? From my and many of other users understanding there's been no disparity in " security updates" between the two.

Thanks.

saerdna

@cappie release notes for 23.01 beta contains CVE related issue, for 22.05. you are correct, there are no mentioned security fixes.

cappie

@saerdna Thanks for clarifying. Looks like 2.7 is getting the same or more love in Redmine tracker so no reason to speculate at this point.

Having releases for releasing sake is never a good thing for a firewall. We don't want to be like TP-Link or Netgear after all.

cybrnook

Apologies if this is already covered, I did search before asking. But I recently switched over to the BETA branch on my 6100. The initial upgrade went without issue. However I saw that today my system is telling me there is a newer snapshot available:

However I have tried twice now to upgrade to this latest snapshot only to find that after reboot I am seemingly back on the original version.

Watching the upgrade log as I attempt to upgrade, everything seems to go smooth, no errors I can see.

Jarhead

@cybrnook Went fine here.
If you can, do a reboot then try to upgrade.

rcoleman-netgate

@cybrnook I might try all from the console, if possible. Check for update from the console, run the update, etc., log your output... check to see if there are errors there.

cybrnook

@rcoleman-netgate Thanks for the advice to try from the console. I am seeing a few things that look strange, but perhaps are red herrings? The "Installed packages to be UPGRADED" section at the bottom seems to direct everything correctly to *.1325?

rcoleman-netgate

@cybrnook I don't have an answer for you but I would suggest you make a post in https://forum.netgate.com/category/90/plus-23-01-development-snapshots

json

I know that thread is more about Beta however, I wanted to ask - will RC candidate appear today :) ?

DefenderLLC

Do we have a target release date yet? I know it has to be close. Thanks.

rcoleman-netgate

@defenderllc As soon as it's done. We haven't reached the RC stage yet.

DefenderLLC

@rcoleman-netgate 10-4. Tom @ LTS has videos saying it's in RC, so that explains my confusion. Thanks.

rcoleman-netgate

@defenderllc Not quite... but close :)

DefenderLLC

@rcoleman-netgate said in pfSense Plus Software Version 23.01 BETA Now Available:

@defenderllc Not quite... but close :)

Guess it's going to be called 23.02 now. :)

rcoleman-netgate

@defenderllc said in pfSense Plus Software Version 23.01 BETA Now Available:

Guess it's going to be called 23.02 now. :)

No. If you check the release dates you'll see we do not change the number because it is no longer the month in question. You will also see that tnsr uses the same style and pfSense and tnsr will never have the same release numbers.

We are still actively testing the RCs and working towards the point of a public RC. Sometimes there are show-stopper issues that have to be resolved.