DELL 7050 pfsense issue

petesei · Mar 20, 2025, 6:34 AM

I know that there are some questions like this, but not specifically my issue.
Newbie at all this.

I have a DELL 7050 SFF i7. I would like to use this to setup this as my router and learn more about pfsense.

I purchased a TP-LINK 2.5GB PCIe card to install in the unit. I wanted to use this as the LAN interface, as my internal network is fast and the IGb connection as the WAN interface to the ISP unit which is 1GB.

The TPLink Card is seen in the BIOS, in the System information, in Slot1 = Ethernet.
Thats the only place it is listed.

When I boot, only the internal card is seen, although, I am gettting activity from the TPLink card, but I imagine its not able to get drivers to load the card.

I would appreciate some help in getting this working. I dont see any reason why I shouldnt be able to get this working.. as I have seen older comments that people have used other cards that the intel ones.

I would appreciate anyones help.

petesei · Mar 20, 2025, 6:55 AM

I also see in other posts that the Intel I210-T1 Chip Gigabit Ethernet/Network Card(NIC) is mentioned.... but I see that that too, comes with drivers.. so I dont understand, logically, why it should work over the TP-Link. I would really like to use the speed of the TP-Link card if possible.

patient0 · Mar 20, 2025, 6:58 AM

@petesei can you provide a link to the card you bought? It seems it is a RealTek RTL8125 2.5 GBit network card. RealTek support does exist but is certainly not the best option. Go for an Intel and it will work.

Having said that, if it's an RTL8125, it is supported by net/realtek-re-kmod driver, according to https://forums.freebsd.org/threads/realtek-rtl8125-on-board-not-discovered.91517/

What pfSense version are you using and what is the output of 'ifconfig'?

petesei · Mar 20, 2025, 7:18 AM

@patient0

sorry about the time taken to get back to you... only have one network, so to test, takes time.login-to-view

the card is a TP-Link TX201(UN)
https://www.tp-link.com/au/home-networking/pci-adapter/tx201/#specifications

As far as I can tell, it is not a RTL8125. I see no information that I can work out.

from what I can tell.. see screenshot.. ifconfig only notes internal nic.

I see this card on ebay, is this the one you think will work?
I really would like to get the TP-Link working if I can.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/145282339220?campid=5338746542&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&toolid=10050&customid=24b65efed32213e0b7a139257ce680f0&mkrid=705-53470-19255-0&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A11tVm9lsbTxid2JtoVltK0A23&campid=5338746542&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&toolid=10050&customid=24b65efed32213e0b7a139257ce680f0&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&msclkid=24b65efed32213e0b7a139257ce680f0

PFSense is the latest version. 2.7.2

patient0 · Mar 20, 2025, 7:24 AM

@petesei said in DELL 7050 pfsense issue:

As far as I can tell, it is not a RTL8125. I see no information that I can work out.

I did download the Linux driver from the support section and there in README it does say RealTek 8125.

You can try installing the alternative RealTek driver:

pkg install realtek-re-kmod

And if that works, make it permanent:

echo 'if_re_load="YES"' >> /boot/loader.conf.local
echo 'if_re_name="/boot/modules/if_re.ko"' >> /boot/loader.conf.local

petesei · Mar 20, 2025, 7:25 AM

@patient0

is this better?

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/335725109992?_skw=RTL8125&itmmeta=01JPS6ZYCRAN6811ETMTTXS57C&hash=item4e2ac6a2e8:g:o9MAAOSweqZnWn-Q&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA4FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1ctCe%2BTms5ERGkYSRrpacl8wfdIoJ6RdgwSkuf%2F8WE1bB1%2B832ITJ2h3ZiPulJAj%2F6OK4iZ38nmTDs6Tb8a7cwp%2BY9K%2FnY%2Bs7ycL9HNJZcsriwLMUhXeakAf800Qii1WmvwmAZISVG3XvdNrGSwHAkd1XbpZjX06vf0WGxN2n0mI5o8IbpZHMq7efF2kj27YC3rGiiSccg4jrn17MldkImfTxSTTpZLzfOGTaqf7y6W%2FVkz9rsSv630ci1d88BSZdWdt9fdrOVjFZ5B1YRTOcC1%7Ctkp%3ABFBMyOb_prZl

petesei · Mar 20, 2025, 7:29 AM

@patient0

do I do that in the Shell?

and can you install it without internet connectivity?

patient0 · Mar 20, 2025, 7:29 AM

@petesei said in DELL 7050 pfsense issue:

is this better?

Nope, that's network card with the same RealTek chip

do I do that in the Shell???

Yep from ... /root: the prompt in the photo you posted.

petesei · Mar 20, 2025, 7:31 AM

@patient0

do you know of a 2.5Gb card that would work?

but... if the realtek stuff works.. then this should be fine.. yes?

petesei · Mar 20, 2025, 7:35 AM

@patient0

I also dont have internet connectivity so I cant get to the repository

patient0 · Mar 20, 2025, 7:47 AM

@petesei said in DELL 7050 pfsense issue:

but... if the realtek stuff works.. then this should be fine.. yes?

Sometimes they are unstable, but I have not firsthand experience with that. If it works with the driver, then keep that network card. And if you run into troubles

If you want an Intel based 2.5Gbit then e.g. something like this: RJ45 PCIE Network Adapter Intel I226 Chip 2.5G Gigabit Ethernet Gaming Server PC

I also dont have internet connectivity so I cant get to the repository

Mmmh, I have to see what the direct download link is. It's only one file which you can copy to an USB stick and transfer to your Dell

petesei · Mar 20, 2025, 7:49 AM

@patient0

got this error

login-to-view

patient0 · Mar 20, 2025, 7:52 AM

@petesei said in DELL 7050 pfsense issue:

got this error

Yes of course, if you don't have internet ;)

petesei · Mar 20, 2025, 7:59 AM

@patient0

ok.. installed it and went back to interfaces.. .but still only one listed.

login-to-view

silly me... have to test ... back soon.

petesei · Mar 20, 2025, 10:55 AM

@patient0

Got the interfaces setup but dont have internet.
included a word doc ... when you can, if you wouldnt mind, could you have a look.

my connection is a PPOE connection.

seems right to me, but I dont seem to have NAT entries for my network.

PFs Config.zip

stephenw10 · Mar 20, 2025, 11:06 AM

You should not have a gateway on LAN, remove it.

The only time you would use a gateway there is if you have other downstream routers with subnets behind them. pfSense is the gateway for LAN side clients but doesn't itself have one.

Make sure the WAN gateway is set as default in Sys > Routing > Gateways

patient0 · Mar 20, 2025, 11:06 AM

@petesei is PORT2LAN your LAN network? If yes, why do you have an gateway, the info text to the field:

"On local area network interfaces ... should be 'none'

Do you get an IP address on your PPPoE interface? If yes then you also should get a gateway. Can you show System / Routing / Gateways?

And yes, you don't have any Outbound NAT, that's not good. If you get an IP by DHCP on WAN, the gateway is created automatically + also the necessary Outbound NAT rules.

petesei · Mar 20, 2025, 11:12 AM

@patient0

was going to head off to sleep.. here in AUS... but will spin some cables and get this stuff for you..
yes.. I am getting details on the PPOE connection... on the main page.. I will screenshot.

patient0 · Mar 20, 2025, 11:13 AM

@petesei said in DELL 7050 pfsense issue:

was going to head off to sleep.. here in AUS

Just go to sleep, all can be done tomorrow (or even later), no worries. It's not a race.

petesei · Mar 20, 2025, 11:36 AM

@patient0

here are some screenshots...
I cant even ping the box now.. after removing that gateway.

login-to-view

also, my actual external ip is 203.219.33.254

login-to-view

talk more tomorrow.. tahnks.... nite.