pfSense VM Configuration

apples1403

I am running pfsense on Oracle Virtual box which is running on a small NUC

As a temporary measure I have connected to the LAN using Wireless.

I wish to create the following network

Internet---Router1---pfsense---Router 2---LAN
firewall

The NUC has Windows 11 Pro and I have installed Oracle Virtual Box.

I am connected to the NUC by WiFi and an Ethernet Cable

Have installed pfsense multiple times using different settings offered by tutorials, but none allow me to connect to the pfsense VM from my desktop (in my LAN)

Any advice - this is driving me nuts

Thanks

Colin

viragomann

@apples1403
What's the sense of the router behind pfSense?

Does it masquerade outbound traffic?
If not you have to add a static route for the LAN behind it to pfSense and point it to the routers IP.
Also ensure the the firewall rules allow access from the LAN.

apples1403

@viragomann
HI

Our property consists of 2 dwellings, with the Internet supplied to the front dwelling which is rented via AirBnb.
We live in the rear dwelling and an ethernet cable runs to the rear dwelling where I have a second router (Fritzbox) to provide a LAN local to this dwelling.
Given I have no control over what the guests do, I would like to insert a firewall between the front dwelling and our dwelling
The intention is to create 2 separate subnets with the pfsense firewall protecting us from anything the guests may do.

Colin

Patch

@apples1403 said in pfSense VM Configuration:

Our property consists of 2 dwellings, with the Internet supplied to the front dwelling which is rented via AirBnb.
We live in the rear dwelling and an ethernet cable runs to the rear dwelling

I suspect what you need is a decent router at the WAN connection. That router creating 2 isolated subnets, one going to the guest AP, The rest (including router control) to your subnet.

Most decent AP can also support more than on subnet so you could share that also if you wanted.

apples1403

@Patch
HI

I take your point.

However having just finished Masters of Cybersecurity I wish to extend my knowledge and learn how pfSense works - but I can't get it configred

Gblenn

@apples1403 said in pfSense VM Configuration:

@Patch
HI

I take your point.

However having just finished Masters of Cybersecurity I wish to extend my knowledge and learn how pfSense works - but I can't get it configred

It sounds like you only have one NIC in the NUC you use to run pfsense. So how is pfsense set up really? Have you set the WAN to use the on board wifi connected to Router 1 ?
You really need two NIC's or get a VLAN capable switch and use the ethernet port for both WAN and LAN.

Also, what subnets are in use on the two existing routers #1 and #2 respectively? You have to make sure all three LAN's (router1, pfsense and router2 are different subnets).

apples1403

@Gblenn
HI

Problem solved.

The NUC has 2 Ethernet Ports as well as a Wireless Connection Capability.

I did not connect the wireless but it still came up as Connection port 1, so my attempts to configure were using a Wireless link, which was not connected and the first Ethernet Port.

I finally ignored the Wireless link totally, set up the WAN and LAN ports on the pfsense box as Ethernet ports 1 and 2 and lo and behold it works.

Thanks for all the help.

Cheers

Colin