Pfsense 2.0 Embedded with VGA enabled.
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Is there a way to load a embedded image on on CF 512MB flash but have the VGA enabled?
I am using Hacom 1.2.2 right now. -
You could build your own and enable a custom option that someone added to build that kind of image. I haven't tested that option myself, so I don't really know how well it works. Unfortunately, I don't know of anyone in particular who is regularly building any such images and providing them publicly for all.
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@Efonne:
You could build your own and enable a custom option that someone added to build that kind of image. I haven't tested that option myself, so I don't really know how well it works. Unfortunately, I don't know of anyone in particular who is regularly building any such images and providing them publicly for all.
I wish I was that smart.
This however begs a question. Is keeping VGA enabled a formidable overhead? I know that m0n0wall has this in a very small package. It would be nice to get a peak into the thinking of people who work hard and shape pfsense future.
Sounds to me that with serial ports extinct, this should be on high agenda. What do you think?
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I suppose the main issue is that it would require a significantly longer time for building all of the different images. There may be ways of optimizing it so it doesn't take too much longer, though. One possible option that has been mentioned is that the kernel with VGA support could be included in the NanoBSD images so that once you select it, that kernel could be selected each time you update. Another proposed feature, being able to download and install NanoBSD images from the installer, would make it possible to have an option to select the kernel after installing, just like you can on a regular install. No one has implemented either of these yet, however. It may not be something that makes it in for 2.0 at all.
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Given the small changes involved in making a VGA-enabled embedded image, it's also possible that there would just be a VGA-enabled image created during official builds and not in the normal snapshots.
I'm not sure anything has been really decided on how to do it, but there have been a few requests for it.
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Given the small changes involved in making a VGA-enabled embedded image, it's also possible that there would just be a VGA-enabled image created during official builds and not in the normal snapshots.
I'm not sure anything has been really decided on how to do it, but there have been a few requests for it.
I would be interested in such an image too.
I think what the OP was asking is - Is there any reason why the default kernel, even for embedded, cannot contain VGA support? What is the downside? Larger memory footprint? Incompatibility with ALIX boards? etc.
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Incompatibility with certain embedded hardware, mainly. I'm not sure what is on that list these days though.
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Incompatibility with certain embedded hardware, mainly. I'm not sure what is on that list these days though.
What are the chances that those extinct / dated hardware will even consider moving to Pfsense 2.0 and beyond. In searching through the forum I noticed that there have been many debates and suggestion to do a full install instead of embedded because the life of flash now is pretty long. However NanoBSD is a an amazing product and will always be optimized for silent/embedded type of set ups and so a lot of benefits will accrue in that domain.
The idea to have NanoBSD with most basic VGA (nothing fancy) will, in all likelihood even work for those "not sure if on the list hardware".
Pfsense is a very proud accomplishment and undoubtedly the future. m0n0wall can only go so far.
I will pitch my plead to include VGA and you will make many people happy and no one unhappy.
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Well there are a lot of different hardware types without VGA that run pfSense, and they would all need to be tested. They may not all be extinct/dated.
If there is one thing to be learned over the years, it's that it's almost impossible to make "no one unhappy" :-)
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I think the Alix is one such device that doesn't work with VGA built into the kernel, if I'm correctly remembering what I've heard. It does not have the same kind of BIOS in it that most computers have.
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I think the ALIX may work now, I thought it had some kind of redirection that would direct output to the serial port instead. It's probably something that just needs tested. There is support in the builder already to make VGA-enabled images, it's just a matter of setting up a builder and cranking out an image to test with.
