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    Restore pfS config.xml to new h/w

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved General pfSense Questions
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    • chudakC Offline
      chudak @KOM
      last edited by

      @KOM said in Restore pfS config.xml to new h/w:

      @chudak I usually just do a find/replace on the config.xml file.

      Good idea!

      What about device ID? Is it h/w dependent ?

      KOMK patient0P 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • KOMK Offline
        KOM @chudak
        last edited by

        @chudak No idea. I've used this method successfully several times in the past. The only Gotcha! I had to worry about was a certificate in the config file just happened to include the characters used to describe my interfaces, so don't just blindly replace. Check every one. There are only a few edits depending on how many interfaces you have,.

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

          @chudak said in Restore pfS config.xml to new h/w:

          What about device ID? Is it h/w dependent ?

          The NDI is hardware dependent, yes, mostly the NICs. If you add NICs to an existing system the NDI will change. And a new system will also have a new NDI.

          You would have to contact support to check if you can transfer the license to new hardware.

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          • T Offline
            timmaht
            last edited by

            You do not need to edit the XML.
            During the import the system/GUI will ask what you want to map to, and it will prompt you with the adapters it can see.

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

              If the new box also uses igb NICs it will just import and reboot without needing (or asking for) any changes. But the resulting order may not be same so be be aware.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • P Offline
                Patch @chudak
                last edited by Patch

                @chudak said in Restore pfS config.xml to new h/w:

                When restoring my config.xml do I need to do anything to map new interfaces?

                Easiest method I have found is:

                • Install pfsense with minimal Ethernet connections plugged in
                • assign at least the Lan so you can access the GUI
                • look at the interface naming internally to ascertain how it relates to the external labelling
                • decide how you want to map your old interfaces to your new box
                • import your old configuration and reassign the interfaces as you want them.
                • save your new configuration
                chudakC 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • chudakC Offline
                  chudak @Patch
                  last edited by

                  @Patch said in Restore pfS config.xml to new h/w:

                  @chudak said in Restore pfS config.xml to new h/w:

                  When restoring my config.xml do I need to do anything to map new interfaces?

                  Easiest method I have found is:

                  • Install pfsense with minimal Ethernet connections plugged in
                  • assign at least the Lan so you can access the GUI
                  • look at the interface naming internally to ascertain how it relates to the external labelling
                  • decide how you want to map your old interfaces to your new box
                  • import your old configuration and reassign the interfaces as you want them.
                  • save your new configuration

                  Thx!

                  And what did you do about the netgate device ID?

                  P S 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • P Offline
                    Patch @chudak
                    last edited by Patch

                    Netgate license is tied to the hardware.

                    • For Netgate hardware with hardware lifetime software updates included, that makes perfect sense to me.
                    • For third party hardware with a yearly subscription I’m not convinced it’s optimal.

                    Either way changing Netgate licensing is beyond me

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • S Offline
                      SteveITS Rebel Alliance @chudak
                      last edited by

                      @chudak Do you have a Plus license? If not the NDI doesn’t matter.

                      Only install packages for your version, or risk breaking it. Select your branch in System/Update/Update Settings.
                      When upgrading, allow 10-15 minutes to reboot, or more depending on packages, and device or disk speed.
                      Upvote 👍 helpful posts!

                      chudakC 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • chudakC Offline
                        chudak @SteveITS
                        last edited by

                        @SteveITS said in Restore pfS config.xml to new h/w:

                        @chudak Do you have a Plus license? If not the NDI doesn’t matter.

                        I do.

                        I wonder how long will I be able to stay on unregistered plus pfS

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

                          @chudak said in Restore pfS config.xml to new h/w:

                          I wonder how long will I be able to stay on unregistered plus pfS

                          The unregistered device won't get any updates at all but will run otherwise fine.

                          chudakC KOMK 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
                          • chudakC Offline
                            chudak @patient0
                            last edited by

                            @patient0 said in Restore pfS config.xml to new h/w:

                            @chudak said in Restore pfS config.xml to new h/w:

                            I wonder how long will I be able to stay on unregistered plus pfS

                            The unregistered device won't get any updates at all but will run otherwise fine.

                            I wanted to install 23.04 and then upgrade

                            Sounds it won't be possible on unregistered device?

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

                              No it will need to be registered to see 24.03 available. Or any Plus version.

                              chudakC 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • chudakC Offline
                                chudak @stephenw10
                                last edited by

                                @stephenw10 said in Restore pfS config.xml to new h/w:

                                No it will need to be registered to see 24.03 available. Or any Plus version.

                                But I will be install the 25.x, yes?

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • KOMK Offline
                                  KOM @patient0
                                  last edited by

                                  @patient0 Yet another reason to avoid pfSense Plus. No tangible benefit for the average user but with the added hassle of DRM.

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