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    [Solved] Boot error when trying to install on HP Microserver

    Problems Installing or Upgrading pfSense Software
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    • L
      ljorgensen
      last edited by

      Hi,

      When booting pfsense 2.3.2 install cd on an HP Microserver, it dies with the error shown in the attached picture. What does it mean and what can I do about it?

      SOLUTION: Turned out to be a FreeBSD problem. This thread has the answer: https://www.nas4free.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8437

      The RAID controller needs to be disabled in the BIOS and changed to "SATA AHCI Support". This loses the RAID functionality which is a major bummer, but now the thing can boot and install pfSense.

      IMG_3018.jpg
      IMG_3018.jpg_thumb

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      • johnpozJ
        johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
        last edited by

        what microserver you trying to install too - there are quite a few different models.  I run my pfsense as a vm on HP N40L running esxi 6.5

        An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
        If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
        Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
        SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.7.2, 24.11

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        • chris147C
          chris147
          last edited by

          @johnpoz:

          what microserver you trying to install too - there are quite a few different models.  I run my pfsense as a vm on HP N40L running esxi 6.5

          +1 for virtualizing pfsense on a Microserver. I'm doing that on my Gen8 HP Microserver and I'm very pleased with the result. I'm using the HP customized esxi 6.5.

          Sorry that doesn't help with your boot issue.

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          • johnpozJ
            johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
            last edited by

            I can not think of a hp microsever model that would make sense to install pfsense native to..  They come with 4 HDD slots.. and only what 2 slots for cards and only 1 built in nic.. Just seems inappropriate hardware to install pfsense native on.

            How many nics do you have installed in your hp?

            An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
            If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
            Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
            SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.7.2, 24.11

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            • L
              ljorgensen
              last edited by

              @johnpoz:

              what microserver you trying to install too - there are quite a few different models.  I run my pfsense as a vm on HP N40L running esxi 6.5

              It's a Gen8 (part no. 819185-421). I'm not a big fan on running it in a vm as this machine needs to be as simple as possible.

              The rest of the replies in this thread tells me that this machine is overkill for a firewall. Might be so, but this is the absolute cheapest HP server you can buy at $230, and we're an HP shop. It needs to be deployed in a remote location so we need hardware we know - and the included iLO is a steal at that price.

              I've put an HP four port gigabit NIC in the machine.

              So, back to my original question: What does that error mean?

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              • D
                doktornotor Banned
                last edited by

                Try with 2.4.

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                • L
                  ljorgensen
                  last edited by

                  @doktornotor:

                  Try with 2.4.

                  Downloaded last night's beta and it seems to give the same error (attached screenshot).

                  I'm going to try to install some other thing on that box to verify that it can in fact install stuff.

                  IMG_3034.jpg
                  IMG_3034.jpg_thumb

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                  • L
                    ljorgensen
                    last edited by

                    Solved it. I have updated the first post with the solution.

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                    • K
                      kpa
                      last edited by

                      The RAID controller needs to be disabled in the BIOS and changed to "SATA AHCI Support". This loses the RAID functionality which is a major bummer, but now the thing can boot and install pfSense.

                      Not really. FreeBSD offers way superior software RAID solutions than what most of the integrated RAID solutions can offer. ZFS that is going to be part of the 2.4 release can do just about everything you could ask from a RAID raid controller in software including stripes, mirrors, raidz (roughly equivalent to RAID 5) setups and more.

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                      • D
                        doktornotor Banned
                        last edited by

                        Yeah indeed, I would discourage the use of any "hardware" RAID with ZFS.

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                        • chris147C
                          chris147
                          last edited by

                          @ljorgensen:

                          Solved it. I have updated the first post with the solution.

                          Thanks for posting the solution. It'll help others in the future.

                          I totally agree with your rational for installing straight onto the server. Hope it works out well for you.

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                          • L
                            ljorgensen
                            last edited by

                            @kpa:

                            Not really. FreeBSD offers way superior software RAID solutions than what most of the integrated RAID solutions can offer. ZFS that is going to be part of the 2.4 release can do just about everything you could ask from a RAID raid controller in software including stripes, mirrors, raidz (roughly equivalent to RAID 5) setups and more.

                            That sounds really great. I'll re-install the box once 2.4 becomes available.

                            Lars

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                            • D
                              doktornotor Banned
                              last edited by

                              Well, if you want RAID with 2.3.x, use can use gmirror.

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                              • L
                                ljorgensen
                                last edited by

                                @doktornotor:

                                Well, if you want RAID with 2.3.x, use can use gmirror.

                                I missed that option entirely… Now the box is deployed so it's too late to fix. I'll just have to rely on the drive until 2.4 comes out  :)

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