/var is low on disk space

rcoleman-netgate

@JonH said in /var is low on disk space:

Can you explain what you mean by this?

@stephenw10 and I have a theory that we might be able to bypass the POST check for the dead eMMC without removing the chip from the system -- which requires a reworking station to perform.

Finding 'dead' 5100s has been difficult. I've only so far gotten my hands on one (@azdeltawye's former unit) and it now sits on my desk as a testing unit.

JonH

@rcoleman-netgate said in /var is low on disk space:

Finding 'dead' 5100s has been difficult. I've only so far gotten my hands on one

Ryan:

OK, this sounds interesting to me, better than the landfill.

For my working 5100 I just ordered "Transcend 32GB SATA III 6GB/S MTS400S 42 mm M.2 SSD 400S Solid State Drive TS32GMTS400S" off of Amazon cause Sales said they no longer have any parts for 5100. I hope this is the correct drive.

The Netgate docs page on '5100 sata install' mentions "8. Locate the Thermal Pads that came with the SG-5100."

After all these years I cannot find the box (believe it or not, I usually keep them) so I have no thermal pads. Can you advise if they are necessary and on what I can look for in order to purchase? I asked Sales and they couldn't help me with that.

Finally, after requesting an image, how can I get pfSense loaded on the sata? I misplaced my notes on image install. Would this be via Etcher? I did this once before when I changed fs to zfs but I don't recall exactly what I did nor whether I used Etcher (I must have cause I have the app installed on my iMac). Will the sata boot first once it's installed?

I'll get back to you in a week or so on the dead 5100.

SteveITS

@JonH said in /var is low on disk space:

after requesting an image, how can I get pfSense loaded on the sata?

They (quite probably Ryan) will send you instructions with the file but they are also here:
https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/solutions/sg-5100/reinstall-pfsense.html

Per the other page https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/solutions/sg-5100/m-2-sata-installation.html "By default, the M.2 SATA drive will be the first drive recognized..."

@rcoleman-netgate said in /var is low on disk space:

You could give it a try if you have a reworking station

We don't. I just would have expected a BIOS screen level boot attempt so it caught my eye that the 5100 doesn't output anything if the storage dies. It's unlikely to be storage due to wear, since it was our backup router so probably has 1% of the usage of the main. We have replacements arriving today anyway.

rcoleman-netgate

@JonH said in /var is low on disk space:

The Netgate docs page on '5100 sata install' mentions "8. Locate the Thermal Pads that came with the SG-5100."

Nope, just look into thermal pads that are 2 or 3mm in depth? I can check later tonight when I get back to my desk -- I'm working in the lab for a few hours.

For my working 5100 I just ordered "Transcend 32GB SATA III 6GB/S MTS400S 42 mm M.2 SSD 400S Solid State Drive TS32GMTS400S" off of Amazon cause Sales said they no longer have any parts for 5100. I hope this is the correct drive.

Correct, we used to have SSDs for sale to the public but that is no longer the case. If it's B-keyed, or B+M keyed you should be fine.

JonH

@rcoleman-netgate said in /var is low on disk space:

look into thermal pads that are 2 or 3mm in depth? I can check later tonight when I get back to my desk

Thank you, I went ahead and ordered 2mm from Amazon. No need to check later.
FYI, I just submitted ticket on TAC-Lite for zfs image to install on the sata I just ordered.

JonathanLee

@JonH PfSense has a games folder, mine never did.

Gertjan

@JonathanLee
That's where you place 'Doom for pfSense'.

JonH

@JonathanLee That is one of several folders on my pfSense that is empty. It can sure lead to a lot of speculation tho. I like Gertjan’s answer.

SteveITS

@JonH Someone make a Redmine for a Wumpus package.

JonH

@rcoleman-netgate said in /var is low on disk space:

If, yes. If this is the case, and you are in the United States, and you are interested in having it used for a testing/trial process LMK and I can open DMs for you.

I'd like to discuss this with you.
jon