How the heck do I actually install CE 2.8?
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First off, no this is not a question (or rant) about the online installer. I'm not thrilled about it, but I can live with it. Rather, how the heck do I actually get an installer that actually installs CE and not Pfsense Plus? I go to Pfsense org/downloads and prominently displayed is "Version: 2.8.0" with a downlink button just below that. Pressing that link takes me to the Netgate store (again, I understand this is the new drill), but the only "purchase" choice for a memstick image is "Netgate appliance". And lest you think that maybe it's an all-in-one installer that has less-than-ideal labeling, I downloaded and tried it and the only options it gave me were Pfsense Plus versions (current and previous, as I recall). Also, trying one of those bricked the SSD on my mini PC, but it was a cheap SSD, so I'm not pointing any fingers...yet (though if the installer were expecting a specific appliance hardware config/type...?)
In any case, what am I missing? I've scoured the page, and found no other buttons, nor a different path in the store. Yes, I can install 2.7.2 and upgrade, but I can't believe that's the official approach still for CE (esp since the site/docs make no mention of it). What's the secret?
-- Dennis Persinger
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https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/install/install-walkthrough.html
Scroll downwards.
You should find :
Btw : I never used the installer app myself.
Back in the good old days, I installed from an pfSense ISO burned to a USB stick.
Then I bought a Netgate appliance, and it came pre installed with Plus. I've upraded in place since.If something happens with my appliance drive, as these things can happen ^, I will have to download the installer app like you, and normally it will recognize my appliance (a 4100) and propose Plus for me as an installable option.
I do keep my Netgate ID on a safe place, like NOT only on the 4100 but some where else.@djp123 said in How the heck do I actually install CE 2.8?:
Also, trying one of those bricked the SSD
Noop.
For your SSD, the pfSense installer just write 'random' bits.
If the SSD died because you wrote 'bits' to it, then that mean you SSD was about to die anyway.
Keep in mind that drives don't know what all these "bits" mean. They are just bits in bytes stored in sectors.@djp123 said in How the heck do I actually install CE 2.8?:
(though if the installer were expecting a specific appliance hardware config/type...?)
Yep : sure : always !
"A good processor, a good disk storage device, and good RAM".
The beauty of this all is : any recent "amd64" type of processor will do.
Any RAM will do - get yourself at least 2 Gbytes.
About the storage any 10+Gbytes device will do, but lately there were a lot of posts that explained that the sub "30 €" (?) storage devices might not live long enough.
Get a +100 Gbytes drive, so you can go wild logging and special "Packages" apps.My personal advise :
At least TWO Intel NICs. Less is possible, but this will hurt your head.
No Wifi stuff. Do Wifi later (and later on you will decide not to do Wifi at all with pfSense).
You see "Realtek" as the NIC brand ? => stop right there. You'll thank me later. -
@djp123 said in How the heck do I actually install CE 2.8?:
the only "purchase" choice for a memstick image is "Netgate appliance".
You aren't shown the other options?
image:
Or if you're asking which to use, you can burn the ISO to a USB stick.
https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/install/prepare-installer-media.html
