Successful Install on Watchguard Firebox X700!

power_matz · Feb 23, 2015, 11:02 AM

Ok, cool.
The standard full install to a hard drive doesn't use the serial console by default.

I used the embedded version, so serial port just works. Sorry for the missunderstanding.

Matthias

kcallis · Mar 11, 2015, 3:40 PM

You need to use the file:
/boot/loader.conf.local

The standard loader.conf file isn't copied across when you do a firmware update and can be overwritten.

However that log line about the cable is normal because it isn't an 80pin cable/connection. What do your boot logs actually show before it fails to boot?

Steve

I get the following: "DMA limited to UDMA33 controller found non-DMA66 cable"

Is there anyway to make this go away directly in the console? This never gets to the point that I can actually to the interface configuration!

RickcJ7 · May 6, 2015, 2:39 AM

I just purchased a x700. Been following along and am installing pfSense 2.2.2 2g nano on a 2GB card. I am trying to get to the command line (OK) to get rid of the "DMA limited to UDMA33…" message, but when I get to this line:

Hit [Enter] to boot immediately, or any other key for command prompt.
Booting [/boot/kernel/kernel]...

I pressed all keys except Enter, the space bar, all letters, but it never goes to the OK prompt, just keeps booting. I'm using PuTTY with 115200, 8N1 on Com1. Do I need to press anything special to get to the prompt?

stephenw10 · May 6, 2015, 8:54 AM

No, like it says any key should interrupt the bootloader.
Check your console cable is correct and not damaged etc.

Steve

RickcJ7 · May 7, 2015, 1:27 AM

@stephenw10:

No, like it says any key should interrupt the bootloader.
Check your console cable is correct and not damaged etc.

Steve

Ah! Thank you. I just had to reseat my serial cable, and it start working. That was driving me nuts.

sa_lontoc · Jun 1, 2015, 11:24 PM

Hello to everybody..I successfully installed pfsense (from my limited understanding) to a firebox x1250e, I upgraded the CPU to Pentium M 1.7 and memory to 2Gig, PFsense is also running on 60Gig hard drive using the full version. I'm only running pfBlockerNG, LCDproc, Shellcmd and Filemanager. I tried squid, snort and squidguard but I'm having difficulty isolating false positive so I removed them.

My question is, what else do I need to add/removed from the settings below to get the max out of this box?

/boot/loader.conf.local

hw.msk.msi_disable=1
hw.pci.enable_msi=0
hw.pci.enable_msix=0
hint.p4tcc.0.disabled=1
hint.acpi_throttle.0.disabled=1

Command prompt:

/conf/WGXepc -l red_flash

/conf/WGXepc -l green

/conf/WGXepc -f 32

/usr/bin/nice -20 /usr/local/sbin/LCDd -r 0 -c /conf/LCDd.conf > /dev/null &

/usr/bin/nice -20 /usr/local/bin/lcdproc C L I T U &

stephenw10 · Jun 2, 2015, 10:04 AM

This is the wrong thread. The X1250e is not the same series as the X700. Should be here: https://forum.pfsense.org/index.php?topic=20095.0

You don't need:

hw.pci.enable_msi=0
hw.pci.enable_msix=0

You have:

hw.msk.msi_disable=1

Which should be sufficient.

Steve

datenheim · Apr 5, 2016, 10:28 PM

Hello Everybody,

today I got my first Firebox X700 and a new CF Card but no serial cable at hand.

Therefore I'm stuck at configuring the trusted network right after first bootup.

I wonder if somebody could be so generous and provide an embedded image (2GB or 4GB) where at least this first step has already been done and connection via trusted port is possible?

Would really appreciate any help here. Probably there is also another way to get the interface up without the serial cable?

Thank you :)
Regards, Stefan

michel-f · Apr 18, 2016, 11:04 AM

@datenheim:

Hello Everybody,

today I got my first Firebox X700 and a new CF Card but no serial cable at hand.

Therefore I'm stuck at configuring the trusted network right after first bootup.

I wonder if somebody could be so generous and provide an embedded image (2GB or 4GB) where at least this first step has already been done and connection via trusted port is possible?

Would really appreciate any help here. Probably there is also another way to get the interface up without the serial cable?

Thank you :)
Regards, Stefan

Yesterday I was initially configured pfSense on Firebox Core (Firebox X1000), and made CF 4Gb backup.

Download link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9r2fjbck1bc82u4/2016-04-17%20-%20Firebox%20-%20pfSense%202.2.6%20%28LCDproc%20%2B%20Arm%20LED%29.7z?dl=0

Configuration:
pfSense 2.2.6 x86 Embedded, 4Gb image.
Fixed UDMA issue, installed and configured LCDproc, instaled driver for control Arm/Disarm LED.

Port 0: WAN, Port 5: LAN (DHCP server), Port 1-4: OPT1-OPT4 (without configuration).

Login/password: admin / pfsense

Don't recommend update to 2.3 - for me it make impossible package installation (probably, rights issue).

datenheim · Apr 18, 2016, 4:46 PM

Thanks a lot michel-f, download finished (for me) ;)

Would have configured it the same way 8)

I will test it most likely tomorrow… and follow up.

Is it still required to also upgrade the BIOS to get >256MB cards booting?

michel-f · Apr 19, 2016, 12:12 AM

@datenheim:

Is it still required to also upgrade the BIOS to get >256MB cards booting?

As I know, this problem is for Firebox X..50E serie, Firebox Core is not affected.
But when I bought my Firebox, it was already with pfSense installed, so I don't know exactly.

kreindler · Apr 25, 2016, 8:42 PM

@michel-f:

Don't recommend update to 2.3 - for me it make impossible package installation (probably, rights issue).

I have nearly the same setup (x700 with upgraded cpu and ram) and 2.2.6.

I was thinking of upgrading to 2.3.

Don't really use any additional packages, pretty happy with the functionality out/of the box.
Anything else that I should consider before upgrading?

Thx!

michel-f · Apr 27, 2016, 1:31 PM

@kreindler:

I have nearly the same setup (x700 with upgraded cpu and ram) and 2.2.6.

I was thinking of upgrading to 2.3.

Don't really use any additional packages, pretty happy with the functionality out/of the box.
Anything else that I should consider before upgrading?

Thx!

I don't plan to upgrade. I need some additional packages, and old red interface is plus comfort for me.
In 2.3 interface is changed, it is plus gray now.

But if you prefer to do an upgrade - make backup )

P.S. Are you use embedded image, or hdd on internal ide? I think than system installed on hdd would not be affected.

D00B · Jun 19, 2016, 8:56 AM

Hi, I have just got my hands on a x500, I understand they are the same architecture as the x700. I have a spare 4GB CF card here that I'd like to use, can you please tell me if this is possible without the need to play about with the BIOS?

When I serial into the unit as it is, and type biosid, I get this….. BIOS DATE : 04/02/01BIOS TYPE : American Megatrends Inc.BIOS ID : 63-1029-001918-00101111-040201CHIPSET ID : SOLANO

Not sure if this helps any.

Currently there is a 64MB cf card in it, but hasn't got anything on it except freebsd.

Many thanks in advance.

D00B · Jun 19, 2016, 5:13 PM

Didn't fancy waiting so I gave it a go with the above download. Seems to work well.

diesel678 · Aug 26, 2016, 5:21 PM

@michel-f:

@datenheim:

Hello Everybody,

today I got my first Firebox X700 and a new CF Card but no serial cable at hand.

Therefore I'm stuck at configuring the trusted network right after first bootup.

I wonder if somebody could be so generous and provide an embedded image (2GB or 4GB) where at least this first step has already been done and connection via trusted port is possible?

Would really appreciate any help here. Probably there is also another way to get the interface up without the serial cable?

Thank you :)
Regards, Stefan

Yesterday I was initially configured pfSense on Firebox Core (Firebox X1000), and made CF 4Gb backup.

Download link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9r2fjbck1bc82u4/2016-04-17%20-%20Firebox%20-%20pfSense%202.2.6%20%28LCDproc%20%2B%20Arm%20LED%29.7z?dl=0

Configuration:
pfSense 2.2.6 x86 Embedded, 4Gb image.
Fixed UDMA issue, installed and configured LCDproc, instaled driver for control Arm/Disarm LED.

Port 0: WAN, Port 5: LAN (DHCP server), Port 1-4: OPT1-OPT4 (without configuration).

Login/password: admin / pfsense

Don't recommend update to 2.3 - for me it make impossible package installation (probably, rights issue).

Thank you so much - you are my personal hero right now! Now if only included was auto fan control. one can dream

ecsginc · Oct 19, 2016, 6:00 PM

I know this is a significantly old thread and old hardware. Nevertheless…

does anybody have any technical specs on the Firebox X -Core power supply and/or motherboard? I am trying to repair a dead PS in an X1000 to get it running and toy around with pfsense. But, there is zero information on or in the box on output power. Nothing in the WG hardware spec. Just a general statement on power in. I am assuming output is 12v. But, some pin connection specs for either the PS or MB would be helpful.

stephenw10 · Oct 30, 2016, 5:59 PM

It looks like a standard AT power connector with not all the pins connected:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AT_(form_factor)#Power_connector

I have no way to verify that though as I have no AT PSUs to hand and my X700 is dead. The risk is yours! ;)

It does match the MB-X67 board linked here though: http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=44767

Steve

dave12 · Jul 22, 2018, 9:10 AM

Hi guys, I know this is a super old thread - but just wondering if anyone in here could share me the a copy of the last x32 bit via DD configured for the x700 - Please see here for the actual thread with the background as to why: https://forum.netgate.com/topic/133044/pfsense-image-for-firebox-x700