PC Engines APU4C4 Experience
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@knowbe4
It's an update of the APU4B4:
- Minimize leakage from V3A to V3 rail (SD card compatibility)
- Fix USB header J12 pinout.
- Change SIM switch to FXLA2203, FXLA2204 went EOL.
- 10 pin LPC header to allow for future TPM option.
Reference: https://www.pcengines.ch/apu4b4.htm
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The lab router was running fine for >5 days.
I decided to update it from BIOS v4.6.8 to v4.8.0.5.
Uptime is >1 day now.My reason to update is that I just want to find out if the latest BIOS version will result in a stable pfSense box (or not).
I have got another APU4 running with BIOS v4.6.8 >6 days now. I might update to v4.6.10 when that APU4's uptime is >30 days. I am aiming to run 4.6.10 >90 days and then tag it as stable.
Would 90 days be enough to call it stable?
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You seem extremely concerned about stability, which is surprising considering your choice of bargain-basement hardware. Nobody can tell you that a platform is stable enough for your needs. That's up to you to decide. If you're really that concerned, buy a second unit and keep it on-hand for emergencies.
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@kom While inexpensive, PC Engines has a good record for reliability. I've never had trouble with Alix or previous APU versions. Netgate sold PC Engines hardware in the past. I wouldn't consider them bargain-basement hardware. I do agree with your point about keeping spares. I'd test one for a bit, deploy it, only update the bios for some compelling reason, and keep a spare in case something goes wrong.
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Yeah a better point here is why update the BIOS without some very good reason?
The most "stable" is going to be the version most other people are running and most people probably never update Coreboot.
Simply by updating you're putting yourself in a much smaller group of users running far less tested code. You should have a good reason for doing so.
That said I updated my APU(1) to 4.8.0.1 just to test it a few months back and have seen no issues.
Steve
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@stephenw10 said in PC Engines APU4C4 Experience:
Yeah a better point here is why update the BIOS without some very good reason?
4.8.0.5 enables ECC
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@bouke what's the up-time now? also did you face an issue ?
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@knowbe4 I am glad you asked. The up time is approximately one month. I didn't face any further issues with this board.
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@BOUKE do you have any more updates for us? Interested in getting rid of my old Supermicro Atom SoC server and building an APU4C4 pfSense box instead. Did you buy just the board or a whole kit with enclosure?
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I've been getting the APU4C4's in kit form via a US reseller. I had trouble installing until I updated them to the most recent BIOS. I never bothered updating APU1 or APU2 units, but besides some doubled text output during boot, they work fine now.
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@xparanoik said in PC Engines APU4C4 Experience:
@BOUKE do you have any more updates for us? Interested in getting rid of my old Supermicro Atom SoC server and building an APU4C4 pfSense box instead. Did you buy just the board or a whole kit with enclosure?
Normally I just buy the whole kit: enclosure, board, mSATA SSD (msata16h), power adapter.
I can recommend Meconet if you require a 19" enclosure:
https://shop.meconet.de/meconet-mBOX-case-solutions/19-Inch-cases/for-PC-Engines-260mm/mBOX-19-260mm-for-one-PC-Engines-ALIX-APU-with-4-x-LAN-1-x-serial-1-x-USB-1-x-power-for-external-power-supply::117712.htmlBut be very specific if you order at Meconet. Always verify your choice by e-mail before ordering! They have a lot of different enclosures.
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@dotdash said in PC Engines APU4C4 Experience:
I've been getting the APU4C4's in kit form via a US reseller. I had trouble installing until I updated them to the most recent BIOS. I never bothered updating APU1 or APU2 units, but besides some doubled text output during boot, they work fine now.
Indeed. You really have to update the BIOS for the APU4 board.
I just update to the newest BIOS version before an APU2/3/4 is being installed for a customer:- 4.9.0.4
- https://pcengines.github.io/
I have bought two "Flash recovery adapter for apu2/3". The flash recovery adapter also works fine on the APU4 boards (I did verify this by e-mail at PC Engine's support and I did test it myself). So, when you brick a board, you can easily recover it.
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Hallo
i just got my APU4c4 Board yesterday - installed Pfsense on it - everything works like a Charm.
Then i decided to update Bios of Board for Max stability ...I Chosse the File "apu4" from https://pcengines.github.io
Update runs fine everything looks good.
After Reboot PFSense wont boot any more - allways run into Kernel Panic (dont know if this is the right word for this issue)
then i tryed to Reinstall Pfsense again - but even if i try to boot from USB Installer i get same Issue
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@gtrdriver Try to downgrade the BIOS. When unsuccessful: use a debricker. These cost a few Euros/Dollars.
https://www.pcengines.ch/spi1a.htm
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Hi
What Version of Bios do you think should i choose ?
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@gtrdriver said in PC Engines APU4C4 Experience:
Hi
What Version of Bios do you think should i choose ?
You could give the legacy Bios 4.0.28 or mainline Bios prior to 4.10.0 a try - the versions above contain some significant changes that may interfere with your other hardware.
IMHO,
fireodo -
Hi
i have created a bootable Debian Stick - and tryed this
BIOS version v4.9.0.7
With this Bios Version Pfsense Seem to boot correctly - i will test.
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@gtrdriver said in PC Engines APU4C4 Experience:
Hi,BIOS version v4.9.0.7
should be fine ...
With this Bios Version Pfsense Seem to boot correctly - i will test.
it would be helpful if you let us know what kind of SSD/HDD you use for you pfsense installation and if there is also other hardware (wireless etc.).
Regards,
fireodo -
Hi
i use a Plain APU4c4 Device without Wireless - only the 4 NIC´s
I also use the "original" SSD Device wich comes within the Bundle.There is no Vendor on the Delivered Msata SSD so i think its bulk
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@gtrdriver said in PC Engines APU4C4 Experience:
Hi
i use a Plain APU4c4 Device without Wireless - only the 4 NIC´s
I also use the "original" SSD Device wich comes within the Bundle.There is no Vendor on the Delivered Msata SSD so i think its bulk
OK, thanks - those SSDs that come with the APU4 shouldnt make any trouble, but there is always a "but" possible ...
