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    Building a backup pfSense router

    General pfSense Questions
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    • B
      bookie56
      last edited by

      Hi Guys!
      I am going to build a backup pfSense router incase of problems...
      Now the new build won't be the same hardware as the one running now....
      Can I restore a config from the original machine to the new build?
      If that is possible - are there things I should be aware of?

      bookie56

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      • V
        viragomann @bookie56
        last edited by

        @bookie56
        The new hardware should have at least the same number of network interfaces.
        Then, when restoring the config, presuming it has a different NIC hardware, pfSense will ask you, which NIC to use for WAN, LAN, etc.
        But should work so far.

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        • S
          SwissSteph
          last edited by SwissSteph

          Hello,

          I've already experienced this change.

          In my experiment, I took the .xml file of my "Netgate 8200", with a text editor (Notepad++ for example) I renamed the name of the interfaces of my 8200 to my "no name".

          For example (first column for my 8200) :

          ixo (1 occurrence) -> igc0
          ix1 (4 occurrences) -> igc1

          Saved the file and uploaded it to the other firewall, in my case a "no name", which works for me!

          I started with two "no-name" pfsense, one for use at home and the other as a backup in case of problems (which can happen when you're new to pfsense).
          ... And now I'm living with a Netgate 8200
          ... And sorry for my bad English...

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          • stephenw10S
            stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
            last edited by

            Yup as long as it has the same number of interfaces or more you should just be able to import it.

            If the NICs use the same driver it will not ask you to re-assign them though. That can be confusing as the interfaces may not be in the order you expect in the new hardware.

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            • B
              bookie56
              last edited by

              Wow!!
              Thank you guys!
              That answers my questions...have windows installed on the backup computer and will install the new 4 port network card as soon as it arrives and dockument mac: addresses etc...

              Thanks again!

              bookie56

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