Full install on WRAP with CF MicroDrive
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Embedded PCs usually have limited resources (RAM, CPU, Diskspace) and as the embedded version is mainly meant for flashmedia users and these medias have a limited writecycle lifetime several packages won't work with these devices or will destruct the media due to lots of writes. If we will support packages on embeddeds only suitable packages will be available.
True, but microdrives are getting much cheaper and it seems that a lot of people (including myself) would like to utilize them while at the same time be able to take full advantage of what pfsense has to offer. Is there any downside to running the packages except the limited write cycles? For example can package <insert name="" here="">not run on the WRAP because it isn't fast enough?</insert>
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The mainproblem is the wrap bios not supporting a fake video and keyboard what causes freebsd to crash when running a full version on it. Otherwise you could simply throw a full install on that machine. We have installed soekrises with 2.5" hdds using the full version during the hackathon with no issues.
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Interesting…..
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Does anybody know the mods that need to be done to get a full install for the wrap with a microdrive? Since the Wiki doc does not work for 1.0.1, maybe it could be updated for 1.0.1. Or maybe make a full-install for wrap with microdrives. now that would be nice to have.
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Try the latest wrap bios. I've heard from Alan that this is not a problem any longer.
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I am using the latest BIOS version 1.11, and not working.
the is the console Display I getPC Engines WRAP.1C/1D/1E v1.11
640 KB Base Memory
130048 KB Extended Memory01F0 Master 848A HMS360604D5CF00
Phys C/H/S 7936/16/63 Log C/H/S 992/128/63F1 FreeBSD
Default: F1
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Does the system become available after about 1 minute at sis0? If you run the full install it will output to a video that is not present at the wrap. If you can access the webgui set "enable serial console at com1" at system>advanced and reboot.
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No, the system never gets passed the F1, I follow the wiki instructions.
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Then the wrap bios is not really fixed. Didn't expect this to work but wanted to hear a confirmation.
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I now know why this was hanging and not booting, it is not the bios that is the problem.
**PC Engines WRAP.1C/1D/1E v1.11
640 KB Base Memory
130048 KB Extended Memory01F0 Master 848A HMS360604D5CF00
Phys C/H/S 7936/16/63 Log C/H/S 992/128/63F1 FreeBSD
Default: F1**
The problem was the Wiki instruction are not correct. When you do install on the microdrive you need to make sure you skip the step that asks about the boot manager. That is why I was getting the F1 prompt and the boot would not continue. I found a few more problems in the instructions I will make notes and send them to whoever manages that Doc. Will send updates on any other issues I come across.
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Champion!
Let me know the changes please.
Cheers.Matt.
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There are any new Informations about installing PfSense on an Microdrive (Full Installation with Packages installation)?
An How-To will be really cool :
1.) Skip Bootloader …
2.) Which Configfiles to edit
3.) How to start Console?Thx from Germany
PsYcHo012 -
your issues with the micro drive seem very similar to my issues with a USB HD. Is there any other changes you had to make apart from the bootloader?
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Jeah,
i need the special Kernel Version for embedded Systems like my WRAP System.
I need the serial Port to see the ouput ! I need starting without keyboard an soo on ;-)So i need really help…
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YEAH i get it to work:
Mini HowTo which works on the WRAP System with Microdrive and Package Mode:
1.) Install the Live-CD 1.0.1 on the Microdrive ! Use the Format Tool and Partion Mode.
2.) DO NOT USE THE Bootloader on the Microdrive !
3.) After Installation reboot…
4.) Get the Image from the Embedded Mode on an USB Stick or other medium
5.) Boot the live cd again, use the Shell number 8 or something..
6.) Mount the Microdrive (/dev/ad4s1a) in my Examble to /tmp/ata
7.) Mount the Image :
gunzip pfSense-Embedded.img.gz
mdconfig -a -t vnode -f pfSense-Embedded.img
mkdir /tmp/mnt/embedded
mount /dev/md8a /tmp/mnt/embedded
8.) Delete the old Boot on the microdrive (/tmp/ata/boot)
If you can't delete all move the /tmp/ata/boot to boot.old..
9.)Copy the hole Boot to the microdrive (cp -R /tmp/mnt/embedded/boot to /tmp/ata/)
10.) copy the files from etc to the microdrive
cp /tmp/mnt/embedded/etc/ttys /tmp/ata/etc/ttys
look in the /tmp/ata/etc/platfrom file (It must containt the word pfSense
11.)last change the config.xml in /tmp/ata/cf/conf/config.xml
vi /tmp/ata/cf/conf/config.xml
search for sis0 change it to the IP you want to use at the beginning.
<interfaces><lan><if>sis0</if>
<ipaddr>10.106.0.1</ipaddr>
<subnet>24</subnet>
12.) type sync
13) type sync
shutdown -h now
Remove microdrive but into Wrap boot and now you can configure the other thinks over web gui (http://10.106.0.1) in my Example ....HAVE FUN...
Mfg
PsYcHo012</lan></interfaces>