pfSense Plus Lab Evaluation KEY

Unoptanio

@Antibiotic
there was a period of time around September 2023 in which you could request free licenses for Home and LAB use of pfSense Plus

Antibiotic

@Unoptanio Where did you get this info, by email from netgate or searching by internet or from friends?As I know this is closed now.

Unoptanio

@Antibiotic
It was advertised on the official Netgate website in the license purchasing section.
It was priced like a normal purchase but by selecting Home or LAB and the price in the cart remained free at $0
The serial numbers were subsequently communicated via email
But this initiative lasted very little. Like 3 weeks.

I was talking about a serial requested in September 2023 and not yet installed

Antibiotic

@Unoptanio Oki)))

stephenw10

@w0w If you have the NDI and/or order number sent it to me in chat and I can check it.

Unoptanio

@Antibiotic

https://www.netgate.com/blog/addressing-changes-to-pfsense-plus-homelab

Unoptanio

@stephenw10

Before installing the license key I would like to make sure I have no problems. Are we sure that updates to version 24 can be done?

In case of problems, can I go back to version 2.7.2 CE?

For a PC-based system whitout a Netgate appliance:
Currently, to upgrade from 2.7.2 CE to Pfsense Plus 24 is it enough to purchase the TAC LITE or do you need the TAC PRO?

The article does not talk about TAC LITE:

https://www.netgate.com/blog/addressing-changes-to-pfsense-plus-homelab?_gl=11wjz3t7_gaMTkxMTAwODkwMi4xNzE1NTc2MDc3_ga_TM99KBGXCB*MTcxNTU3NjA3Ni4xLjEuMTcxNTU3NzgyNS4yLjAuMA..

Patch

Sounds like TAC-Lite is discontinued.

I thought the equivalent of TAC-lite was complimentary on Netgate hardware (software updates & forum support).

That really does price pfsense out of the home market / Lab market.
Oh well it was good while it lasted. Hope the strictly commercial market works out for Netgate, good by broad user base.

patient0

I think that info in the blog post is outdated, TAC Lite is still (or again?) available for still $129 including Zero-to-ping (see https://www.netgate.com/pfsense-plus-software/software-types).

w0w

@stephenw10
I'll contact him and find out the numbers, or he'll register himself on tihe forum and let us know.

w0w

@Unoptanio said in pfSense Plus Lab Evaluation KEY:

Are you saying you can't update to version 24?

No. But my friend in Japan can't update. He said that no new version available so far.

stephenw10

Yeah that is outdated. TAC-lite is availabl for any device. All Plus subscription types will see 24.03. Including the zero cost options if you already have that.

So, yes, if you purchase TAC-Lite you will be able to upgrade to 24.03.

Unoptanio

@stephenw10
I will try to install the LAB license and upgrade from 2.7.2 CE to PLUS 24.3

A last question.
After installing the license, subsequently,
on the same machine, if I had to replace the 2 SSDs due to failure and reinstall everything from scratch, is the usual license worth it? or at that point do I have to buy a new TAC LITE?
or if I had to add more ram

stephenw10

Replacing the drives would not change the NDI so the system would still be eligible for Plus.

Unoptanio

@stephenw10 said in pfSense Plus Lab Evaluation KEY:

l'NDI

What are the hardware changes that change NDI?
Netgate Device ID (NDI)

stephenw10

Commonly it's changed by adding or removing NICs.

Unoptanio

@stephenw10
Today I contacted a Netgate distributor in Italy.
It tells me that starting from the CE2.7,2 version and purchasing the TAC Lite you can upgrade to the PLUS 24.3 version
After one year from the activation date of the TAC Lite, the firewall continues to work but updates are no longer performed. To be able to redo the updates, the TAC Lite must be renewed every year. This is with non-NETGATE machines.

Does it work like this even if the LAB license I have is activated? or is it for life including all future updates?
Or do I have to renew it with the TAC Lire after one year from the activation of the LAB license when it expires?
Do you confirm that it works like this?

With netgate devices the license is for life including all updates. There is no need to purchase any TAC license or even purchase renewals.

stephenw10

Yes, that is true. Netgate hardware includes pfSense Plus for the lifetime of the device. No additional subscription required.

w0w

@stephenw10

Just for your information, my friend in Japan successfully updated both firewalls. The problem was not the license at all, as suspected. The system was stuck on version 23.05, not on 23.09. He switched branches, and it updated successfully first to 23.09 and then to the latest version.
Thanks for your help.

Unoptanio

@w0w @stephenw10

OK thank you.
I would like to try installing the LAB key.

Once installed, do you know if the LAB key will be deactivated after one year?
After a year has passed since the installation of the LAB key, will it still be possible to carry out updates?
Or will you have to buy the TAC LITE?