Migration from Protectli to Netgate 4200

stgeorge

I am trying to migrate all of my configs from a Protectli device (running pfsense+ under license) to a new Netgate 4200 (also running pfsense+). I downloaded the configuration (xml) backup file, switched over to the GUI setup on the 4200... went to Diagnostics > Backup/Restore, loaded the xml file and hit restore....no dice...?

Any thoughts, tips, suggestions while I wait for Netgate to assist me, would be greatly appreciated!

SteveITS

@stgeorge What does "no dice" mean?

Netgate TAC will convert a config file for you, going to their hardware.

Gertjan

@stgeorge said in Migration from Protectli to Netgate 4200:

loaded the xml file and hit restore....no dice...?

Any thoughts, tips, suggestions

pfSense config files are like 99 % device independent.
But the interface driver names used by your 4200 are igcX where X is 0,1,2 and 3. There is probably also a ixX (typically, your WAN)
Your Protecli uses probably other NICs (other brands), thus other driver names.

Thus : pfSense config files are hardware (== device) dependent. Like a Windows drive image copy that you restore on another PC. Fireworks guaranteed.

But, when restoring the config on your new 4200, you are (have to - no choice) the most important interface : the console cable.
As interfaces listed in the config were not recognized, you'll have to re assign your interface, informing what interface is your WAN LAN, and so on.

stgeorge

Both of you are spot on- thanks! That was the issue, and I had been working on getting the usb drivers and console running, but before I finished that, Netgate's Tac Lite support was able to mod my config (xml) file to adapt the ports over properly and send it back to me- hats off to their staff!

arri

Presuming this is a base model 4200 be VERY careful to protect the eMMC from wear. Do not install any packages that are listed as SSD only for any period of time and be cognizant of your logging.
You'll find countless threads here on unpredictable and eventually dead Netgate base models which often turn out to have been a result of that.