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    Intel X553 NICs (on C3758 SoC) not detected by pfSense 2.4/2.4.1

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    • M
      MarvinFS
      last edited by

      Managed to get it working somehow.
      Anyhow, we have bought those appliances already for all the offices, sadly before checking if it's supported yet! :)
      I failed to find a proper way to disable existing module, so i just rename it and load a module manually compiled from Intel sources.
      After that don't forget to fix permissions chmod 555 /boot/kernel/if_ix.ko and u'r good to go. (reboot)

      So yeah, it works just fine after that, but don't survive upgrades as far as i understand pfsense updates kernel also, along with modules apparently.

      Instructions:

      on 1st boot after install press any key on PFsense logo

      boot in Single User mode
      press enter for /bin/sh shell

      #connect your USB stick (Fat32 formatted) with driver
      #check what's it's name
      ls /dev/da*
      #mount usb
      mount_msdosfs /dev/da0s1 /media
      #unload existing if_ix module - check it's ID if necessary /sbin/kldstat )
      /sbin/kldunload -i 2
      #mount root as RW
      mount -rw /
      #rename existing if_ix.ko module
      mv /boot/kernel/if_ix.ko /boot/kernel/if_ix.ko.blacklisted
      #copy new module from USB
      cp /media/if_ix.ko /boot/modules/
      #fix permissions
      chmod 555 /boot/modules/if_ix.ko
      #make loader.conf.local
      echo 'if_ix_load="YES"' >> /boot/loader.conf.local
      #enjoy
      reboot

      In case somebody needs it - here's yandex.cloud direct link (compiled for FreeBSD 11.1 release) https://yadi.sk/d/F92wgHSy3RNDS9

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • D
        daddygrant
        last edited by

        You sir, have saved my bacon.  Your instructions and file has worked perfectly for me.

        Cheers.

        @MarvinFS:

        Managed to get it working somehow.
        Anyhow, we have bought those appliances already for all the offices, sadly before checking if it's supported yet! :)
        I failed to find a proper way to disable existing module, so i just rename it and load a module manually compiled from Intel sources.
        After that don't forget to fix permissions chmod 555 /boot/kernel/if_ix.ko and u'r good to go. (reboot)

        So yeah, it works just fine after that, but don't survive upgrades as far as i understand pfsense updates kernel also, along with modules apparently.

        Instructions:

        on 1st boot after install press any key on PFsense logo

        boot in Single User mode
        press enter for /bin/sh shell

        #connect your USB stick (Fat32 formatted) with driver
        #check what's it's name
        ls /dev/da*
        #mount usb
        mount_msdosfs /dev/da0s1 /media
        #unload existing if_ix module - check it's ID if necessary /sbin/kldstat )
        /sbin/kldunload -i 2
        #mount root as RW
        mount -rw /
        #rename existing if_ix.ko module
        mv /boot/kernel/if_ix.ko /boot/kernel/if_ix.ko.blacklisted
        #copy new module from USB
        cp /media/if_ix.ko /boot/modules/
        #fix permissions
        chmod 555 /boot/modules/if_ix.ko
        #make loader.conf.local
        echo 'if_ix_load="YES"' >> /boot/loader.conf.local
        #enjoy
        reboot

        In case somebody needs it - here's yandex.cloud direct link (compiled for FreeBSD 11.1 release) https://yadi.sk/d/F92wgHSy3RNDS9

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • M
          MarvinFS
          last edited by

          @daddygrant:

          You sir, have saved my bacon.  Your instructions and file has worked perfectly for me.

          Cheers.

          Glad it worked and happy to help! Guess we'd wait for official support now and upgrade afterwards…

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • A
            andrewjoy
            last edited by

            @MarvinFS:

            Managed to get it working somehow.
            Anyhow, we have bought those appliances already for all the offices, sadly before checking if it's supported yet! :)
            I failed to find a proper way to disable existing module, so i just rename it and load a module manually compiled from Intel sources.
            After that don't forget to fix permissions chmod 555 /boot/kernel/if_ix.ko and u'r good to go. (reboot)

            So yeah, it works just fine after that, but don't survive upgrades as far as i understand pfsense updates kernel also, along with modules apparently.

            Instructions:

            on 1st boot after install press any key on PFsense logo

            boot in Single User mode
            press enter for /bin/sh shell

            #connect your USB stick (Fat32 formatted) with driver
            #check what's it's name
            ls /dev/da*
            #mount usb
            mount_msdosfs /dev/da0s1 /media
            #unload existing if_ix module - check it's ID if necessary /sbin/kldstat )
            /sbin/kldunload -i 2
            #mount root as RW
            mount -rw /
            #rename existing if_ix.ko module
            mv /boot/kernel/if_ix.ko /boot/kernel/if_ix.ko.blacklisted
            #copy new module from USB
            cp /media/if_ix.ko /boot/modules/
            #fix permissions
            chmod 555 /boot/modules/if_ix.ko
            #make loader.conf.local
            echo 'if_ix_load="YES"' >> /boot/loader.conf.local
            #enjoy
            reboot

            In case somebody needs it - here's yandex.cloud direct link (compiled for FreeBSD 11.1 release) https://yadi.sk/d/F92wgHSy3RNDS9

            This is  very clear thanks !!!

            Do we know when this is going to be in the live and stable builds ? Its working for now but don't want to put it into production until its part of the default kernel.

            Hopefully its soon before the power supply in the old Dell R300 changes its mind about not being on fire :)

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • O
              Ofloo
              last edited by

              @stephenw10:

              The drivers were not in 11.1 release which is what we build on so until they are included in our base we may not get them.

              You can build the kernel module yourself as explained by EditioN above. To load it at boot time just create the file /boot/loader.conf.local and then put in that file:

              if_ix_load="YES"
              

              Steve

              or just i beleve it was ```
              if_ix_updated_load=yes

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • E
                EditioN
                last edited by

                Hey guys,

                The new XG-7100 model includes the Atom C3000.
                I guess this is a good sign that the drivers will be built in soon?

                I must say that I have no issues so far with the driver I compiled but official support would be quite good to have.

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • B
                  BenDroid
                  last edited by

                  @MarvinFS:

                  Managed to get it working somehow.
                  Anyhow, we have bought those appliances already for all the offices, sadly before checking if it's supported yet! :)
                  I failed to find a proper way to disable existing module, so i just rename it and load a module manually compiled from Intel sources.
                  After that don't forget to fix permissions chmod 555 /boot/kernel/if_ix.ko and u'r good to go. (reboot)

                  So yeah, it works just fine after that, but don't survive upgrades as far as i understand pfsense updates kernel also, along with modules apparently.

                  Instructions:

                  on 1st boot after install press any key on PFsense logo

                  boot in Single User mode
                  press enter for /bin/sh shell

                  #connect your USB stick (Fat32 formatted) with driver
                  #check what's it's name
                  ls /dev/da*
                  #mount usb
                  mount_msdosfs /dev/da0s1 /media
                  #unload existing if_ix module - check it's ID if necessary /sbin/kldstat )
                  /sbin/kldunload -i 2
                  #mount root as RW
                  mount -rw /
                  #rename existing if_ix.ko module
                  mv /boot/kernel/if_ix.ko /boot/kernel/if_ix.ko.blacklisted
                  #copy new module from USB
                  cp /media/if_ix.ko /boot/modules/
                  #fix permissions
                  chmod 555 /boot/modules/if_ix.ko
                  #make loader.conf.local
                  echo 'if_ix_load="YES"' >> /boot/loader.conf.local
                  #enjoy
                  reboot

                  In case somebody needs it - here's yandex.cloud direct link (compiled for FreeBSD 11.1 release) https://yadi.sk/d/F92wgHSy3RNDS9

                  Hello Everybody

                  I would like to chime in and report aswell. I have e SuperMicro SuperServer E200-9A with the new C3558 in it. It also has four X553 NICs which I cannot get running under pfSense. I tried your instructions but they didn't work. Seems like I need to give myself permission somewhere (see attached picture). I set the system up with ZFS but I tried it with UFS and it didn't work aswell. Maybe I'm just missing something?

                  Can anybody give me a tip here? Any help would be appreciated.

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • stephenw10S
                    stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                    last edited by

                    You don't need unload ix as it's not running as a module.

                    It failed to remount / as read-write because it doesn't recognise the file system, you will need to specify it. Though ufs should have worked there. Try:

                    mount -rw -t zfs /
                    

                    It would still be better to wait for a pfSense build based on a FreeBSD version that includes the driver though.

                    Steve

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • B
                      BenDroid
                      last edited by

                      @stephenw10:

                      You don't need unload ix as it's not running as a module.

                      It failed to remount / as read-write because it doesn't recognise the file system, you will need to specify it. Though ufs should have worked there. Try:

                      mount -rw -t zfs /
                      

                      Thank you very much for the quick response. Although the command you provided didn't work either. I tried for fat32 and zfs… (see picture)
                      Just to clarify: The OS drive on which pfSense is installed is ZFS. The USB-Stick with the if_ix.ko file on it is fat32, like in the instructions.

                      @stephenw10:

                      It would still be better to wait for a pfSense build based on a FreeBSD version that includes the driver though.

                      I hope they are working on this. Although in the bugtracker there is no sign of it. :-\

                      T 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • stephenw10S
                        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                        last edited by

                        Ah, yes. ZFS requires more hoop jumping. It's probably easier to reinstall with UFS and try there instead.

                        I assume you're doing this because you don't have any functioning NICs? And you can't put one in temporarily?

                        Steve

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • B
                          BenDroid
                          last edited by

                          Okay. I will try reinstalling with UFS tomorrow, thank you.

                          Yes, no NICs detected. I really hope the devs will include support for x553 NICs soon…
                          By putting a NIC in temporarily, do you mean something like an USB-NIC? No I don't have any, but i could probably get one easily... Bad thing is, my system doesn't have an external USB 3.0 port. Good thing is, I'm not in a hurry: my current router is still running...

                          I will post as soon as i try with UFS install again. BTW, is there any benefits to going with UFS vs. ZFS?

                          Ben

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • stephenw10S
                            stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                            last edited by

                            UFS is far more widely tested in pfSense, it's still the default file system type for everything except mirrored disk installs. ZFS may well become the default at some point but there's no schedule for that I'm aware of.

                            When you face odd issues it's best to keep everything as vanilla as possible for maximum chance someone else will have hit it before you.  ;) At least until things are working as expected.

                            Yes a USB NIC or anything else you can put in temporarily just to get fully booted to make file transfers way easier.

                            Steve

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • D
                              dasaint
                              last edited by

                              So there was a release for 2.4.3 that contained this information but sadly it doesn't work on CE builds  (factory installations only) mean some custom config they do with Netgate?  Why wouldnt they share this with the Community Edition it just seems dumb…

                              https://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/2.4.3_New_Features_and_Changes#Interfaces_.2F_VIPs
                              Hardware support for the XG-7100, including:
                              C3000 NIC support (factory installations only)
                              C3000 SoC support (factory installations only)
                              Marvell 88E6190 switch support (factory installations only)

                              I tested the 2.4.3 build against my C3558 Motherboard no dice on the X553 driver.

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • ivorI
                                ivor
                                last edited by

                                We backported the C3000 support for hardware we're selling, and it's the only hardware that we have properly vetted the code with. FreeBSD is adding C3000 support to 11.2, so it will be more widely tested there on other hardware by FreeBSD users. So, not dumb.

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

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • B
                                  BenDroid
                                  last edited by

                                  Hi Iovr

                                  Is it stable in the factory installations?

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • stephenw10S
                                    stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                    last edited by

                                    We have not seen any stability issues on the particular hardware in the XG-7100, which is where we've tested it.

                                    Steve

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • T
                                      trumee @BenDroid
                                      last edited by trumee

                                      @bendroid I have a ZFS filesystem as well. I had to do

                                      zfs set readonly=off zroot/ROOT/default
                                      

                                      and was able to mv files around. After making the changes, the property can be reset to default using,

                                      zfs inherit readonly  zroot/ROOT/default
                                      

                                      The pool properties out of the box are as follows (for reference),

                                      NAME   PROPERTY              VALUE                  SOURCE
                                      zroot  type                  filesystem             -
                                      zroot  mounted               yes                    -
                                      zroot  quota                 none                   default
                                      zroot  reservation           none                   default
                                      zroot  recordsize            128K                   default
                                      zroot  mountpoint            /zroot                 local
                                      zroot  sharenfs              off                    default
                                      zroot  checksum              on                     default
                                      zroot  compression           lz4                    local
                                      zroot  atime                 off                    local
                                      zroot  devices               on                     default
                                      zroot  exec                  on                     default
                                      zroot  setuid                on                     default
                                      zroot  readonly              off                    default
                                      zroot  jailed                off                    default
                                      zroot  snapdir               hidden                 default
                                      zroot  aclmode               discard                default
                                      zroot  aclinherit            restricted             default
                                      zroot  canmount              on                     default
                                      zroot  xattr                 off                    temporary
                                      zroot  copies                1                      default
                                      zroot  version               5                      -
                                      zroot  utf8only              off                    -
                                      zroot  normalization         none                   -
                                      zroot  casesensitivity       sensitive              -
                                      zroot  vscan                 off                    default
                                      zroot  nbmand                off                    default
                                      zroot  sharesmb              off                    default
                                      zroot  refquota              none                   default
                                      zroot  refreservation        none                   default
                                      zroot  primarycache          all                    default
                                      zroot  secondarycache        all                    default
                                      zroot  usedbysnapshots       0                      -
                                      zroot  usedbydataset         88K                    -
                                      zroot  usedbychildren        399M                   -
                                      zroot  usedbyrefreservation  0                      -
                                      zroot  logbias               latency                default
                                      zroot  dedup                 off                    default
                                      zroot  mlslabel                                     -
                                      zroot  sync                  standard               default
                                      zroot  refcompressratio      1.00x                  -
                                      zroot  volmode               default                default
                                      zroot  filesystem_limit      none                   default
                                      zroot  snapshot_limit        none                   default
                                      zroot  filesystem_count      none                   default
                                      zroot  snapshot_count        none                   default
                                      zroot  redundant_metadata    all                    default
                                      
                                      B 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • B
                                        BenDroid @trumee
                                        last edited by

                                        @trumee Thank you alot, but I circumvented that issue with using developer builds. It's stable anough for my home and you get to try new fancy features. If you don't havea productive environment, I can only recommend going with the developer builds.

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • A
                                          abcnew
                                          last edited by

                                          Did 2.4.4-snapshot already have the driver for X553 NICs of C3000 series from FreeBSD 11-stable/11.2-Release?

                                          F 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • stephenw10S
                                            stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                            last edited by

                                            Current 2.4.4 snapshots are built on FreeBSD 11.2-RC3. You should test one if you can The more testing they see the faster we can find any issues such as drivers not working with your hardware.

                                            Steve

                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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