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    Fresh install PFsense VM hangs after config file restore

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Problems Installing or Upgrading pfSense Software
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    • R
      router_wang
      last edited by

      I've installed PFsense 2.4.1 to a new VM and there were no problems during install. However when restoring the config file from an older PFsense VM (2.3.4-RELEASE-p1) the system hangs and the config is not restored. This is with ESX 6.5 U1.

      What logs do I need to submit to diagnose this? Thanks.

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      • ivorI
        ivor
        last edited by

        Please provide more information like screenshots, logs or anything that can help us diagnose.

        Need help fast? Our support is available 24/7 https://www.netgate.com/support/

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        • DerelictD
          Derelict LAYER 8 Netgate
          last edited by

          Right. What is on the console when it fails?

          Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
          A comprehensive network diagram is worth 10,000 words and 15 conference calls.
          DO NOT set a source address/port in a port forward or firewall rule unless you KNOW you need it!
          Do Not Chat For Help! NO_WAN_EGRESS(TM)

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          • T
            tim.mcmanus
            last edited by

            Can you upgrade your 2.3.4 to 2.4.1 and then move the config file?

            I am always very hesitant to move an older version's config file to a new version because it may create issues like the one you're experiencing.

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            • K
              kejianshi
              last edited by

              I'd reinstall the VM and try again.

              BTW - How much resources are you giving it?

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              • R
                router_wang
                last edited by

                @Derelict:

                Right. What is on the console when it fails?

                It just shows the message about the admin logging onto the web interface from a remote IP. It sits there indefinitely.

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                • DerelictD
                  Derelict LAYER 8 Netgate
                  last edited by

                  How about a screen shot? Generally when you restore a configuration and it breaks the console you are restoring a configuration that has invalid console settings for the new device such as VGA when the hardware has a serial console and serial when the hardware has a VGA console.

                  On a VM there should be VGA output until the point the console changes though.

                  Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
                  A comprehensive network diagram is worth 10,000 words and 15 conference calls.
                  DO NOT set a source address/port in a port forward or firewall rule unless you KNOW you need it!
                  Do Not Chat For Help! NO_WAN_EGRESS(TM)

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                  • I
                    ipfftw
                    last edited by

                    How big is your xml file? i know i had problems when i had the rrd information in there..

                    the other time i had problems was with add on packages that were no longer supported. an idea is to delete those from your backup file before importing.

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                    • R
                      router_wang
                      last edited by

                      @Derelict:

                      How about a screen shot? Generally when you restore a configuration and it breaks the console you are restoring a configuration that has invalid console settings for the new device such as VGA when the hardware has a serial console and serial when the hardware has a VGA console.

                      On a VM there should be VGA output until the point the console changes though.

                      This happened while attempting to migrate from a 2.3 VM to a 2.4 VM. No console change. Which is weird because when I migrated from serial console hardware to a VM, the migration with a config file worked fine.

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                      • R
                        router_wang
                        last edited by

                        This appears to be a VM compatibility issue. When installing PFsense 2.4.1 to dedicated hardware the restore works (3 attempts out of 3 succeeded). When restoring to a VM (ESX 6.5 U1) the restore attempts (0 out of 6) are successful.

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                        • K
                          kejianshi
                          last edited by

                          Whats the difference in resources available to the physical machine and the VM?

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                          • R
                            router_wang
                            last edited by

                            @kejianshi:

                            Whats the difference in resources available to the physical machine and the VM?

                            The physical is Netgate ADI. The VM has way more resources.

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                            • DerelictD
                              Derelict LAYER 8 Netgate
                              last edited by

                              You have still not provided any console output from the VM host.

                              Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
                              A comprehensive network diagram is worth 10,000 words and 15 conference calls.
                              DO NOT set a source address/port in a port forward or firewall rule unless you KNOW you need it!
                              Do Not Chat For Help! NO_WAN_EGRESS(TM)

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • R
                                router_wang
                                last edited by

                                @Derelict:

                                You have still not provided any console output from the VM host.

                                The console only shows the message about the admin logging in from a remote IP address. I have mitigated the issue by using physical hardware instead of a VM. When installing PFsense 2.4.1 to dedicated hardware the restore works (3 attempts out of 3 succeeded). When restoring to a VM (ESX 6.5 U1) the restore attempts (0 out of 6) are successful. Thanks!

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