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    PPPoE on WAN link for Centurylink gigabit service

    General pfSense Questions
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    • B
      billmcg
      last edited by

      @chrismacmahon said in PPPoE on WAN link for Centurylink gigabit service:

      https://redmine.pfsense.org/issues/4821

      I have tried the workaround. I'm currently running with the following /boot/loader.conf.local and max out around 530mbps:

      hw.igb.fc_setting=0
      net.isr.dispatch=deferred
      net.inet.tcp.tso=0

      I'm not sure what powerD is. I'll have to look into that now...

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

        Oh wow! Enabling powerD and setting to maximum really helped. I'm seeing 820/820 which is about as good as I think I can do given that my fiber run zigzags across 6 different poles and then I have about a 70ft cat6 run from the ONT. I consider this resolved.

        Thanks for the tips!

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • chrismacmahonC
          chrismacmahon
          last edited by

          Glad we got you sorted out.

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

          Do Not PM For Help!

          B 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • B
            billmcg @chrismacmahon
            last edited by billmcg

            So, here's documentation of the entire process of getting CenturyLink Gigabit GPON service working at full speed with pfSense. This applies only to PPPoE "internet only" service from Century Link. The internet+prism TV service uses IPoE and is configured differently.

            The hw.igb.fc_setting=0 below disables flow control for the Intel NICs in the Netgate SG-2440. Different hardware will require a different option. Other than this, the instructions below should be hardware agnostic. Assuming your hardware is fast enough, you should see performance comparable, or very near to CL supplied hardware.

            Diagnostics -> Edit File
            Path to file: /boot/loader.conf.local
            Click Load to load the existing file.
            Add:

            net.isr.dispatch=deferred
            net.inet.tcp.tso=0
            hw.igb.fc_setting=0

            Save and Reboot

            In the pfSense GUI:

            System -> Advanced -> Miscellaneous -> Power Savings
            Check "Enable PowerD" and set to "Maximum" or Hiadaptive" for all power states.

            Interfaces -> Assignmnents -VLANs
            Add a new VLAN interface. In the edit dialog:

            Parent Interface: <the physical interface of your WAN port>
            On the SG-2440 this is most likely igb0, so we'll assume that for the rest of this config.

            VLAN Tag: 201
            Save

            Interfaces -> Assignments -> PPPs
            Add a new PPP
            Link Type: PPPoE
            Link Interface: igb0.201
            Username: CenturyLink Supplied
            Password: CenturyLink Supplied
            Service name: <leave blank>
            Configure NULL service name: checked
            Save

            Interfaces -> Assignments -> Interface Assignments
            WAN: select PPPoE0(igb0.201) - < CL Username > from the drop down
            Save

            Interfaces -> WAN
            verify that IPv4 Configuration Type is PPPoE

            Under PPPoE Configuration
            Verify Username and Password are present
            Save

            Status -> Interfaces
            Verify WAN Interface (wan, pppoe0)
            Status: up
            PPPoE: up
            IPv4 Address: <is present>

            D G 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 3
            • stephenw10S
              stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
              last edited by

              Nice result!

              Be aware that setting net.isr.dispatch=deferred will give you better PPPoE speeds but might cause problems with ALTQ if you need shaping.

              And, yeah, you need to have powerd (speedstep) enabled on those ADI SG series devices to see the full CPU speed.

              Steve

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • D
                DonaldColeman @billmcg
                last edited by

                @billmcg
                Worked great !!!
                Thx.

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • P
                  Plittle
                  last edited by

                  Hi there. Tried to get my protectli modem with pfsense working with centurylink fiber optic(internet only) following the above instructions. I was unable to edit
                  /boot/loader.conf.local
                  as I couldnt find it. there is a file
                  /boot/loader.conf.orig
                  or loader.conf
                  I followed the rest of the instructions, but WAN/VLAN not connecting...
                  Could anyone direct me as to where that file resides or how to figure out what I may be doing wrong?
                  Much appreciated, thank you.

                  P D 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • P
                    Plittle @Plittle
                    last edited by

                    Correction-I got the PPoE connection over WAN up...but still cant get internet connection...
                    any ideas what Im doing wrong?
                    Status
                    up
                    PPPoE
                    up

                    Uptime
                    -
                    IPv6 Link Local
                    fe80::2e0:67ff:fe0e:4036%pppoe1
                    DNS servers
                    127.0.0.1
                    MTU
                    1500
                    In/out packets
                    0/22 (0 B/2 KiB)
                    In/out packets (pass)
                    0/22 (0 B/2 KiB)
                    In/out packets (block)
                    0/0 (0 B/0 B)
                    In/out errors
                    0/0
                    Collisions
                    0

                    LAN Interface (lan, bridge0)

                    Status
                    up
                    MAC Address
                    02:dd:73:83:d4:00
                    IPv4 Address
                    192.168.1.1
                    Subnet mask IPv4
                    255.255.255.0
                    IPv6 Link Local
                    fe80::1:1%bridge0
                    Subnet mask IPv6
                    64
                    MTU
                    1500
                    In/out packets
                    18576/18781 (690 KiB/1.84 MiB)
                    In/out packets (pass)
                    18576/18781 (690 KiB/1.84 MiB)
                    In/out packets (block)
                    121/0 (11 KiB/0 B)
                    In/out errors
                    0/0
                    Collisions
                    0

                    OPT1 Interface (opt1, igb2)

                    Status
                    no carrier
                    MAC Address
                    00:e0:67:0e:40:38
                    IPv6 Link Local
                    fe80::2e0:67ff:fe0e:4038%igb2
                    MTU
                    1500
                    Media
                    autoselect
                    In/out packets
                    0/3 (0 B/304 B)
                    In/out packets (pass)
                    0/3 (0 B/304 B)
                    In/out packets (block)
                    0/0 (0 B/0 B)
                    In/out errors
                    0/0
                    Collisions
                    0
                    Bridge (bridge0)
                    learning

                    OPT2 Interface (opt2, igb3)

                    Status
                    up
                    MAC Address
                    00:e0:67:0e:40:39
                    IPv6 Link Local
                    fe80::2e0:67ff:fe0e:4039%igb3
                    MTU
                    1500
                    Media
                    100baseTX <full-duplex>
                    In/out packets
                    48/2 (7 KiB/188 B)
                    In/out packets (pass)
                    48/2 (7 KiB/188 B)
                    In/out packets (block)
                    20/0 (3 KiB/0 B)
                    In/out errors
                    0/0
                    Collisions
                    0
                    Bridge (bridge0)
                    learning

                    OPT3 Interface (opt3, igb1)

                    Status
                    no carrier
                    MAC Address
                    00:e0:67:0e:40:37
                    IPv6 Link Local
                    fe80::2e0:67ff:fe0e:4037%igb1
                    MTU
                    1500
                    Media
                    autoselect
                    In/out packets
                    33/2 (5 KiB/188 B)
                    In/out packets (pass)
                    33/2 (5 KiB/188 B)
                    In/out packets (block)
                    5/0 (550 B/0 B)
                    In/out errors
                    0/0
                    Collisions
                    0
                    Bridge (bridge0)
                    learning

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

                      You have to create loader.conf.local if it doesn't exist. There are many ways to do that, one is to run:
                      touch /boot/loader.conf.local

                      Check ppp logs to see why it's not coming up.

                      You added the VLAN to use as the parent interface?

                      Steve

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • D
                        DonaldColeman @Plittle
                        last edited by

                        @plittle
                        Just a FYI, I did not need to edit or to creat that file for my services to work.
                        Also, I am connected to the Centurylink ONT Eth port directly to pfSense WAN.
                        I did enable and set PowerD to HiAdaptive just because, but I didn’t need to change or enable the PowerD because my speeds are only 100MB and I didnt see a difference either way. But I left it enabled on and as another side not I’m running pfSense on a Dell i5 SFF PC w/8GB Mem.

                        I only did the following from the above post:

                        Interfaces -> Assignmnents -VLANs
                        Add a new VLAN interface. In the edit dialog:

                        Parent Interface: <the physical interface of your WAN port>

                        VLAN Tag: 201
                        Save

                        Interfaces -> Assignments -> PPPs
                        Add a new PPP
                        Link Type: PPPoE
                        Link Interface: igb0.201
                        Username: CenturyLink Supplied
                        Password: CenturyLink Supplied
                        Service name: <leave blank>
                        Configure NULL service name: <checked>
                        Save

                        Interfaces -> Assignments -> Interface Assignments
                        WAN: select PPPoE0(igb0.201) - < CL Username > from the drop down
                        Save

                        Interfaces -> WAN
                        verify that IPv4 Configuration Type is PPPoE

                        Under PPPoE Configuration
                        Verify Username and Password are present
                        Save

                        Status -> Interfaces
                        Verify WAN Interface (wan, pppoe0)
                        Status: up
                        PPPoE: up
                        IPv4 Address: <is present>

                        *** FIREWALL LAN RULE OPEN TO ALL ***

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • D
                          DonaldColeman @Plittle
                          last edited by

                          @plittle said in PPPoE on WAN link for Centurylink gigabit service:

                          Hi there. Tried to get my protectli modem with pfsense working with centurylink fiber optic(internet only)

                          If I understand your above, I don’t know why you’re going into the Provider Modem, then to your pfSense.
                          Try going directly to the pfSense WAN from the Centurylink (Fiber Box) ONT Eth Port your Modem is currently connected to and remove the Provider Modem all together.

                          If I’m mistaken please disregard :)

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                          • B
                            billmcg
                            last edited by

                            @Plittle did you create the VLAN interface in igb0 with VLAN tag 201?

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • P
                              Plittle
                              last edited by stephenw10

                              Thanks for all the responses folks...I appreciate the support and patience with me getting through this...I'm still trying to learn the home networking bit, so my questions are probably going to be pretty basic...

                              To answer the various questions people have asked:
                              -not trying to route through the centurylink modem-trying to route directly from the CL fiberoptic converter into my pfsense device
                              -I followed the instructions as laid out by davidcoleman and others above-including adding the VLAN to use as the parent interface
                              -its listing status as UP, PPoE as UP
                              -I don't, however see an IPv4 address listed under the status -> interfaces...lists an IPv6 Link Local, but there is no line referencing the IPv4 under WAN Interface

                              -I went and executed shell command touch /boot/loader.conf.local, then inputed the directed text under Edit File
                              

                              -After completing all of that, the WAN status window shows
                              status down, PPOE down (When I gave up yesterday before posting online I had yet to add the /boot/loader.config.local file, and at that time it said Status UP and PPOE UP, though I still could not access the internet...I tried pressing the connect button, no change....I also went back and made sure all the PPoE account information is still entered under PPP and under the Interfaces-->WAN tab

                              -I believe the FIREWALL LAN Rule is open to all:
                              from the Firewall-->Rules page

                              States
                              Protocol
                              Source
                              Port
                              Destination
                              Port
                              Gateway
                              Queue
                              Schedule
                              Description
                              Actions
                              
                              
                              1 /3.52 MiB
                              
                              *
                              *
                              *
                              LAN Address
                              443
                              80
                              *
                              *
                              
                              Anti-Lockout Rule
                              
                              
                              
                              21 /3.13 MiB
                              
                              IPv4 * 
                              LAN net 
                              * 
                              * 
                              * 
                              * 
                              none 
                                
                              Default allow LAN to any rule 
                              
                              
                              
                              0 /0 B
                              
                              IPv6 * 
                              LAN net 
                              * 
                              * 
                              * 
                              * 
                              none 
                                
                              Default allow LAN IPv6 to any rule 
                              

                              Any ideas what Im getting wrong here? Is there a log I can cut and paste to help figure out whats missing?
                              Thanks again for all the help folks!

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • P
                                Plittle
                                last edited by

                                Here is the PP Log after completing all of this:
                                Mar 13 22:39:34 ppp [wan_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 7223
                                Mar 13 22:39:34 ppp [wan_link0] PPPoE: Connecting to ''
                                Mar 13 22:39:43 ppp [wan_link0] PPPoE connection timeout after 9 seconds
                                Mar 13 22:39:43 ppp [wan_link0] Link: DOWN event
                                Mar 13 22:39:43 ppp [wan_link0] LCP: Down event
                                Mar 13 22:39:43 ppp [wan_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 7224 in 2 seconds
                                Mar 13 22:39:45 ppp [wan_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 7224
                                Mar 13 22:39:45 ppp [wan_link0] PPPoE: Connecting to ''
                                Mar 13 22:39:55 ppp [wan_link0] PPPoE connection timeout after 9 seconds
                                Mar 13 22:39:55 ppp [wan_link0] Link: DOWN event
                                Mar 13 22:39:55 ppp [wan_link0] LCP: Down event

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                                • P
                                  Plittle
                                  last edited by

                                  From the general system log
                                  Mar 13 23:07:11 php-fpm 44860 /status_interfaces.php: Starting rtsold process
                                  Mar 13 23:07:13 rtsold 67962 <ifconfig> failed to get link layer information for pppoe1
                                  Mar 13 23:07:13 rtsold 67962 <main> failed to initialize pppoe1
                                  Mar 13 23:07:13 php-fpm 44860 /status_interfaces.php: The command '/sbin/ifconfig 'pppoe1' -staticarp ' returned exit code '1', the output was 'ifconfig: interface pppoe1 does not exist'
                                  Mar 13 23:07:13 php-fpm 44860 /status_interfaces.php: The command '/usr/sbin/arp -d -i 'pppoe1' -a > /dev/null 2>&1 ' returned exit code '1', the output was ''

                                  P 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • P
                                    Plittle @Plittle
                                    last edited by

                                    @plittle
                                    apologies for all the posting...
                                    looks like I found my mistake and it is now working...
                                    thanks again for the assistance folks.

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

                                      What was the issue? Might help someone else reading this in the future if you can detail your fix.

                                      Steve

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                      • G
                                        gmccleary11 @billmcg
                                        last edited by

                                        @billmcg fixed my issue exactly, thank you sir!

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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