Netgate v pfsense store
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Sorry, but I have been searching and finding some answers but not all. It might be helpful if there was a specific FAQ on this since the questions seem to come up quite a bit. I will post this as a Q&A based on what I think are the answers from my searching, but I am really asking for some confirmation on these.
Q: If I buy devices through the pfsense store versus through Netgate, am I getting the same device?
A: In terms of hardware, yes. There is a tiny amount of difference in the software. See below.Q: Why buy through the pfsense store, then?
A: The project gets more money directly this way.Q: If I buy a device through Netgate, it comes with support. Is this the same support I would get buying it through the pfsense store?
A: No, you will get support from Netgate. Support for both devices are provided through the same sources so it really is the same exact level of support.Q: Is there a difference in the software I would get buying through Netgate v. through the pfsense store?
A: There is only one small difference in the systems. The Netgate devices come with an AWS Config Wizard which allows you to create a VPN connection to the AWS hardware VPN service.Q: What are the details of the Netgate pfsense add-ons? (List of apps and details of what they do.)
A: See above.Q: Is there any way to get a device through the pfsense store and get access to the Netgate add-ons separately?
A: ???Q: Can I buy gold "support" for a device I bought through Netgate?
A: I am assuming yes since it is not really even a support level, but simply the book, access to meetups, the config backup service, etc.Q: Can you please explain the device support offered through the pfsense store devices?
A: There is really just a single level of support regardless of where you buy the device. You get 2 hours of support included, and then for support above that you will be billed incrementally at $200/hr. -
Q: If I buy devices through the pfsense store versus through Netgate, am I getting the same device?
A: In terms of hardware, yes.In all terms, yes. Same hardware, software, support, etc.
Q: Why buy through the pfsense store, then?
A: The project gets more money directly this way.True.
Q: If I buy a device through Netgate, it comes with support. Is this the same support I would get buying it through the pfsense store?
Same support either way, with the same means of accessing it. No difference there.
Q: Is there a difference in the software I would get buying through Netgate v. through the pfsense store?
A: Yes, the Netgate devices are tuned a bit for the hardware, whereas the ones through the pfsense store are a base install of pfsense that has been run through testing. In addition, there are Netgate add-ons for pfsense that are "certified" which come on the Netgate hardware devices.No, the software is 100% identical between them, there is only one factory load. No difference at all.
Q: What are the details of the Netgate pfsense add-ons? (List of apps and details of what they do.)
A: ???The Amazon VPC VPN wizard is the only feature difference between the stock open source release and what ships on hardware from either store today. The primary difference for most people's purposes is that every box we sell is specifically tuned appropriately for that combination of hardware. That doesn't involve any differences in the software itself, rather how some of its tunables are configured.
Q: Is there any way to get a device through the pfsense store and get access to the Netgate add-ons separately?
A: ???n/a since there is no difference.
Q: Can I buy gold "support" for a device I bought through Netgate?
A: I am assuming yes since it is not really even a support level, but simply the book, access to meetups, the config backup service, etc.Same software either way, yes. The AutoConfigBackup package is currently the only component on the system itself that's relevant to gold, and it's available for both (both pull from the same packages).
Q: Can you please explain the device support offered through the pfsense store devices?
A: This is a legitimate question I have no answer for. Specifically the following is confusing-
- on the device page there is a reference to receiving "premium support." However, there do not seem to be different support levels (ie- standard, enhanced, and premium) when you go through the store page to make the purchase.
- For a support plan bought through the pfsense store, you get 2 hours of support included, and then for support above that you will be billed incrementally at $200/hr.The bundled support is the same regardless of which store you purchase it from. You're comparing two diff products - bundled support (that which comes with hardware, and is specific to that particular piece of hardware only), vs. hourly support that's available separately @ portal.pfsense.org (not limited to any specific piece of hardware, a bit less scope-limited).
Things are a bit confusing there with two different stores. That'll be changing to address the confusion later this year.
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Sorry to be a pest, but I am still not clear on the question about the Netgate add-on(s). The only difference I know of is the AWS VPN configuration wizard is part of the Netgate load, but not the one from pfsense directly. Is that add-on freely downloadable and add-able to even like the free download pfsense installed on home-brew HW?
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Sorry to be a pest, but I am still not clear on the question about the Netgate add-on(s). The only difference I know of is the AWS VPN configuration wizard is part of the Netgate load, but not the one from pfsense directly. Is that add-on freely downloadable and add-able to even like the free download pfsense installed on home-brew HW?
If you PURCHASE a pfSense appliance from either source you will get the VPN add-on; cmb said that the software loads are identical. If you DOWNLOAD a free copy of pfSense you do not get the AWS VPN add-on.
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If you PURCHASE a pfSense appliance from either source you will get the VPN add-on; cmb said that the software loads are identical. If you DOWNLOAD a free copy of pfSense you do not get the AWS VPN add-on.
Correct.