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    Kernel Panic when Upgrading to 2.8.0 beta

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Problems Installing or Upgrading pfSense Software
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    • S
      stewartv8 @stephenw10
      last edited by

      @stephenw10 good news i pulled the card from the server unplugged the keyboard while updateing and all went well. Now on the latest ver thanks for ya help :)

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
      • stephenw10S
        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator @Spacecase
        last edited by

        @Spacecase said in Kernel Panic when Upgrading to 2.8.0 beta:

        It presents the same modality and fault codes, but different addresses and hardware details.

        Could be a very different panic then. Do you have the details? Did the console also become unresponsive?

        S 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • S
          Spacecase @stephenw10
          last edited by

          @stephenw10

          When updating from v2.7.2, all looked well until the reboot. The dashboard was still in a 20s loop. At the time, I had no monitor on the console, but it was dark when I connected it. I rebooted the host and, if I recall correctly, there was still nothing on the screen. At that point, I used the installer and could see boot activity on the console.

          Here's the screenshot:

          ca2b40da-0743-4e1d-b24c-b49da6c98f33-Screenshot 2025-05-30 111005.jpg

          It's looking for the WiFi driver.

          patient0P 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • patient0P
            patient0 @Spacecase
            last edited by

            @Spacecase you can try be disabling the wifi card, either in the BIOS or if that is not possible, using a hint, like explained a bit further up in this thread:

            https://forum.netgate.com/post/1214869

            S 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
            • S
              Spacecase @patient0
              last edited by Spacecase

              @patient0
              Thanks.

              I've seen what's been posted so far, but reported the event to let developers know there's a bug common to Intel and AMD platforms. For the time being, I need a functioning network. I'll try to find some time to troubleshoot it over the weekend.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • stephenw10S
                stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                last edited by

                Yup there's some regression there in at least in the iwlwifi driver. It's failing to load the firmware into the card.

                But, yes, disabling that device should allow it to boot normally.

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                • S
                  Spacecase @stephenw10
                  last edited by

                  @stephenw10
                  Thanks for looking into the issue. I'm left wondering if it's a corner case or something more widespread. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

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                  • S
                    Spacecase @patient0
                    last edited by

                    @patient0
                    I disabled WiFi in the BIOS and am now successfully running 2.8.0.

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                    • N netblues referenced this topic
                    • M
                      manicmoose
                      last edited by

                      Thought I'd add I had the same (hard lock) kernel panic due to chipset 'iwm3160fw'.
                      I disabled it using the hint/config file mentioned above. Much appreciate being able to go forward, rather than back-out.

                      I did periodically use the WiFi adapter, so hopefully BSD resolve the issue(s) with those chipsets in a subsequent update...

                      GertjanG 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • GertjanG
                        Gertjan @manicmoose
                        last edited by Gertjan

                        @manicmoose said in Kernel Panic when Upgrading to 2.8.0 beta:

                        I did periodically use the WiFi adapter, so hopefully BSD resolve the issue(s) with those chipsets in a subsequent update...

                        Euh ... for the last ... well, since FreeBSD exists, it's Wifi (adapter) driver support is known as quasi non existent.
                        For drivers to be created, device hardware details need to be 'public'. A driver will exists of course, and it will be for 'Microsoft' based devices. Remember : if you create a driver, you also have to support it.
                        Just image : reverse engineer NIC wifi driver not knowing the hardware.

                        Your only option : wait until someone creates a driver, and then wait until the FreeBSD author include that driver into FreeBSD, so Netgate can pull it all into pfSense.
                        Be ware that FreeBSD is known for not importing crap-ware.
                        The driver's source code should be 'open'.

                        Making a long story short : you need an AP ? Get an AP.

                        No "help me" PM's please. Use the forum, the community will thank you.
                        Edit : and where are the logs ??

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                        • M
                          manicmoose @Gertjan
                          last edited by

                          @Gertjan

                          I get all that, but you're missing the point.

                          That same WiFi chip/adapter has been working with pfsense/BSD for over 5 years...the driver probably just needs slight adjustment for a newer kernel, would be my expectation.

                          GertjanG 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • GertjanG
                            Gertjan @manicmoose
                            last edited by Gertjan

                            @manicmoose said in Kernel Panic when Upgrading to 2.8.0 beta:

                            That same WiFi chip/adapter has been working with pfsense/BSD for over 5 years...the driver probably just needs slight adjustment for a newer kernel, would be my expectation.

                            I though you were getting the point that pfSense pfSense 2.7.0 uses FreeBSD 14.x
                            pfSense 2.8.0 uses newer kernel, 15.x.

                            Sure enough, the same (?) driver recompiled for "15" fails - for you.
                            If it's part of the new "15" kernel set, then it was working for some one, otherwise FreeBSD (and Netgate ?) wouldn't have included the driver.
                            If you have a chip set version type or any detail that can identify your wifi NIC, check up stream (freebsd driver support) if the issue is known, maybe a more recent driver exists already, compiled for your processor (x86, x64 or arm) and didn't make it into this pfSense build (using kernel 15.x).

                            I agree, making it work could be very easy. It's just a matter of : the guy who has the same hardware as you and can build/test/write/understand FreeBSD kernel drivers, has to to 'his thing'.

                            edit : remember :
                            Office 365 for Windows 10 might work Windows 11.
                            Office is a user land app.
                            A kernel driver is totally different. For some 'devices' like a NIC for Windows 10 will not work for Windows 11. Is has to be, at least, rebuild.
                            As system calls, settings etc etc did change, some source modification are needed for every device driver.

                            No "help me" PM's please. Use the forum, the community will thank you.
                            Edit : and where are the logs ??

                            M 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • M
                              manicmoose @Gertjan
                              last edited by manicmoose

                              @Gertjan

                              Is it just me, or does it feel weird that pfsense are using freebsd v15, which has not even been officially released yet and won't be until Nov/Dec. this year?
                              Normally, software like firewalls are built on N-1 version, which have been road-tested and proven to be solid.
                              Obvs, Netgate are different....or are using CE community as the guinea pigs.

                              edit
                              Looks like there is active work still going on with these drivers for FreeBSD.

                              They removed the 'iwm' firmware as shipped kernel modules and are just trying to load the raw firmware with version 15 - so I guess there's hope that once all the pre-req's and bugs are ironed out, a subsequent update from pfsense could get the WiFi adapters working again.

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                              • P
                                Patch @manicmoose
                                last edited by Patch

                                @manicmoose said in Kernel Panic when Upgrading to 2.8.0 beta:

                                are using CE community as the guinea pigs.

                                @manicmoose Plus is has been more current than CE in recent years. So no the reverse has been the case which imo is a problem for the long term viability of a free CE version competing for plus clients without clear benefit for Netgate.

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                • stephenw10S
                                  stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                  last edited by

                                  Yup Plus has been running 15 for some time.

                                  But also, yes, there appears to be a regression with some drivers that now ship without firmware and load it. It's not just iwm. It should not kernel panic if the driver fails to attach for whatever reason.

                                  M 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                  • M
                                    manicmoose @stephenw10
                                    last edited by

                                    Hi @stephenw10 quick question...

                                    Having had to use this workaround putting the hint into loader.conf.local....should that be included in the backup xml file? I can't seem to find any reference to the hint in it.
                                    I would have thought it should be in there, in case we have to rescue boot/reinstall off a USB image?!

                                    GertjanG 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • GertjanG
                                      Gertjan @manicmoose
                                      last edited by

                                      @manicmoose

                                      Your "loader.conf.local" won't get saved in the config.xml.
                                      Rule of thumb : only GUI settings are saved.

                                      Possible solution : Install this package :

                                      0171251c-5ddc-446b-8c72-fae827223fda-image.png

                                      and use it to date/annotate/detail (with URLs to the sites /forum /whatever ) and make a Note about what you've put into these system file.

                                      The Notes info will get saved into the config.xml

                                      From now on, you won't need to remember what you've done today, yesterday, or last year.
                                      In case of a re install, read your Notes and do what said in there, you'll be fine.

                                      No "help me" PM's please. Use the forum, the community will thank you.
                                      Edit : and where are the logs ??

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                      • stephenw10S
                                        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                        last edited by

                                        No the loader file isn't included in config file.

                                        You could add it using the filer package but you don't have to. You can always set that hint at the loader prompt to allow the system to boot before adding the file again.

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
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