Netgate Discussion Forum
    • Categories
    • Recent
    • Tags
    • Popular
    • Users
    • Search
    • Register
    • Login

    PC Engines APU4C4 Experience

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Hardware
    68 Posts 12 Posters 20.0k Views
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • fireodoF
      fireodo @viragomann
      last edited by fireodo

      @viragomann said in PC Engines APU4C4 Experience:

      I installed pfSense with ZFS on an APU4C4 on a 16 GB mSATA. Works without issues.

      So have I too but on two APU2C0 one with a Zheino 16GB SSD and on the other on a Transcend 32GB - no issues so far ...

      Kettop Mi4300YL CPU: i5-4300Y @ 1.60GHz RAM: 8GB Ethernet Ports: 4
      SSD: SanDisk pSSD-S2 16GB (ZFS) WiFi: WLE200NX
      pfsense 2.8.0 CE
      Packages: Apcupsd, Cron, Iftop, Iperf, LCDproc, Nmap, pfBlockerNG, RRD_Summary, Shellcmd, Snort, Speedtest, System_Patches.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • G
        gtrdriver
        last edited by

        Hello

        Regarding ZFS on SD: There is no specific Error - the Installer Says:

        ZFS setup failed x
        x x
        x An installation step has been aborted. Would x
        x you like to restart the installation or exit x
        x the installer? x
        tqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • QinnQ
          Qinn
          last edited by

          Ideally, ZFS requires a system with ECC memory, otherwise you're still not 100% safeguarded against bit errors..

          I read that https://pcengines.ch/apu2.htm ECC is optional, can some comment on that?

          Hardeware: Intel(R) Celeron(R) J4125 CPU @ 2.00GHz 102 GB mSATA SSD (ZFS)
          Firmware: Latest-stable-pfSense CE (amd64)
          Packages: pfBlockerNG devel-beta (beta tester) - Avahi - Notes - Ntopng - PIMD/udpbroadcastrelay - Service Watchdog - System Patches

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • QinnQ
            Qinn
            last edited by Qinn

            From what I've read https://blog.3mdeb.com/2018/2018-10-16-enabling-ecc-on-pc-engines-apu2/ every APU2 equal and above 4GB memory it is enabled....

            Hardeware: Intel(R) Celeron(R) J4125 CPU @ 2.00GHz 102 GB mSATA SSD (ZFS)
            Firmware: Latest-stable-pfSense CE (amd64)
            Packages: pfBlockerNG devel-beta (beta tester) - Avahi - Notes - Ntopng - PIMD/udpbroadcastrelay - Service Watchdog - System Patches

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • QinnQ
              Qinn
              last edited by Qinn

              Recently I went over to from UFS to ZFS on a APU2C4 (RAM 4GB) with mSATA 16Gb, fresh install from USB then I restored the config.xml. I have a few Q's maybe someone can help, log file below...

              
              
              
              
               [1+ Disks] Striping provides maximum storage but no redundancy
               pfSense Installer
               qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq
              
                           lqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqZFS Configurationqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqk
                           x Configure Options:                                 x
                           x lqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqk x
                           x x >>> Install          Proceed with Installation x x
                           x x T Pool Type/Disks:   stripe: 0 disks           x x
                           x x - Rescan Devices     *                         x x
                           x x - Disk Info          *                         x x
                           x x N Pool Name          zroot                     x x
                           x x 4 Force 4K Sectors?  YES                       x x
                           x x E Encrypt Disks?     NO                        x x
                           x x P Partition Scheme   GPT (BIOS)                x x
                           x x S Swap Size          2g                        x x
                           x x M Mirror Swap?       NO                        x x
                           x x W Encrypt Swap?      NO                        x x
                           x mqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqj x
                           tqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqu
                           x             <Select>       <Cancel>                x
                           mqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqj
              
              
               Create ZFS boot pool with displayed options
               pfSense Installer
               qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq
              
              
              
                              lqqqqqqqqqqqqqZFS Configurationqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqk
                              x Select Virtual Device type:                 x
                              x lqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqk x
                              x x stripe  Stripe - No Redundancy          x x
                              x x mirror  Mirror - n-Way Mirroring        x x
                              x x raid10  RAID 1+0 - n x 2-Way Mirrors    x x
                              x x raidz1  RAID-Z1 - Single Redundant RAID x x
                              x x raidz2  RAID-Z2 - Double Redundant RAID x x
                              x x raidz3  RAID-Z3 - Triple Redundant RAID x x
                              x mqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqj x
                              tqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqu
                              x           <  OK  >      <Cancel>            x
                              mqqqqqqqq[Press arrows, TAB or ENTER]qqqqqqqqqj
              
              
              
              
              
               [1+ Disks] Striping provides maximum storage but no redundancy
               pfSense Installer
               qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq
              
              
              
              
              
              
                                   lqqqqqqqqZFS Configurationqqqqqqqqqqk
                                   x lqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqk x
                                   x x[*] ada0  SATA SSD             x x
                                   x x[ ] da0   VendorCo ProductCode x x
                                   x mqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqj x
                                   tqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqu
                                   x       <  OK  >    < Back >        x
                                   mqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqj
               pfSense Installer
               qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq
              
              
              
              
              
                             lqqqqqqqqqqqqqqZFS Configurationqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqk
                             x Last Chance! Are you sure you want to destroy  x
                             x the current contents of the following disks:   x
                             x                                                x
                             x     ada0                                       x
                             x                                                x
                             tqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqu
                             x             < YES >       < NO  >              x
                             mqqqqqqqqq[Press arrows, TAB or ENTER]qqqqqqqqqqqj
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
              ZFS NOTICE: Prefetch is disabled by default if less than 4GB of RAM is present;
                          to enable, add "vfs.zfs.prefetch_disable=0" to /boot/loader.conf.
              ZFS filesystem version: 5
              ZFS storage pool version: features support (5000)
              kern.geom.part.mbr.enforce_chs: 0 -> 0
               pfSense Installer
               qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq
              
              
              
              
                               lqqqqqqqqqqFetching Distributionqqqqqqqqqqqqk
                               x                                           x
                               x MANIFEST                   [   Done     ] x
                               x base.txz                   [   100%     ] x
                               x                                           x
                               x Fetching distribution files...            x
                               x                                           x
                               x  lqOverall Progressqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqk  x
                               x  x                100%                 x  x
                               x  mqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqj  x
                               mqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqj
               pfSense Installer
               qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq
              
              
              
              
                               lqqqqqqqqqqChecksum Verificationqqqqqqqqqqqqk
                               x                                           x
                               x base.txz                   [In Progress ] x
                               x                                           x
                               x Verifying checksums of selected           x
                               x distributions.                            x
                               x                                           x
                               x  lqOverall Progressqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqk  x
                               x  x                  0%                 x  x
                               x  mqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqj  x
                               mqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqj
               pfSense Installer
               qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
                                    lqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqk
                                    x Checking distribution archives. x
                                    x Please wait...                  x
                                    mqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqj
               pfSense Installer
               qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq
              
              
              
              
              
                                    lqqqqqqqArchive Extractionqqqqqqqqqk
                                    x Extracting distribution files... x
                                    x                                  x
                                    x                                  x
                                    x   Overall Progress:              x
                                    x  lqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqk  x
                                    x  x            100%            x  x
                                    x  mqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqj  x
                                    mqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqj
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
              Looking for config.xml on da0s3: [found msdos] [no config.xml on da0s3, unmounting] diskid/DISK-920702597E285218784s3: [Could not locate an existing config.xml file!] Done.
               pfSense Installer
               qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq
              
              
              
              
              
                                  lqqqqqqqManual Configurationqqqqqqqqqqk
                                  x The installation is now finished.   x
                                  x Before exiting the installer, would x
                                  x you like to open a shell in the new x
                                  x system to make any final manual     x
                                  x modifications?                      x
                                  tqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqu
                                  x         < Yes >     < No  >         x
                                  mqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqj
               pfSense Installer
               qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq
              
              
              
              
              
              
                                       lqqqqqqqqqCompleteqqqqqqqqqqqk
                                       x Installation of pfSense    x
                                       x complete! Would you like   x
                                       x to reboot into the         x
                                       x installed system now?      x
                                       tqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqu
                                       x   <Reboot>  <Shell >       x
                                       mqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqj
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
              Nov  6 10:28:00  reboot: rebooted by root
              Nov  6 10:28:00 Waiting (max 60 seconds) for system process `vnlru' to stop... done
              Waiting (max 60 seconds) for system process `bufdaemon' to stop... done
              Waiting (max 60 seconds) for system process `syncer' to stop...
              Syncing disks, vnodes remaining... 0 0 done
              All buffers synced.
              Uptime: 26m58s
              umass0: detached
              uhub2: detached
              PC Engines apu2
              coreboot build 20190810
              BIOS version v4.10.0.2
              4080 MB ECC DRAM
              SeaBIOS (version rel-1.12.1.3-0-g300e8b7)
              
              Press F10 key now for boot menu
              
              Booting from Hard Disk...
              Boot failed: could not read the boot disk
              
              Trying next device: 2
              Booting from Hard Disk...
              gptzfsboot: error 12 lba 32
              gptzfsboot: error 12 lba 544
              gptzfsboot: error 12 lba 1965088
              gptzfsboot: error 12 lba 1965600
              gptzfsboot: error 12 lba 1966072
              gptzfsboot: error 12 lba 1
              /boot/config: -S115200 -h
              
              Consoles: serial port
              BIOS drive C: is disk0
              BIOS drive D: is disk1
              
              
              read 1 from 0 to 0xcdf89440, error: 0xcread 1 from 0 to 0xcdf89440, error: 0xcBy
              
              FreeBSD/x86 ZFS enabled bootstrap loader, Revision 1.1
              (Wed Nov 21 08:03:10 EST 2018 root@buildbot2.nyi.netgate.com)
              Loading /boot/defaults/loader.conf
              -
                        __
                 _ __  / _|___  ___ _ __  ___  ___
                | '_ \| |_/ __|/ _ \ '_ \/ __|/ _ \
                | |_) |  _\__ \  __/ | | \__ \  __/
                | .__/|_| |___/\___|_| |_|___/\___|
                |_|
              
              
               +============Welcome to pfSense===========+   __________________________
               |                                         |  /                       ___\
               |  1. Boot Multi User [Enter]             | |                      /`
               |  2. Boot [S]ingle User                  | |                     /    :-|
               |  3. [Esc]ape to loader prompt           | |      _________  ___/    /_ |
               |  4. Reboot                              | |    /` ____   / /__    ___/ |
               |                                         | |   /  /   /  /    /   /     |
               |  Options:                               | |  /  /___/  /    /   /      |
               |  5. [K]ernel: kernel (1 of 2)           | | /   ______/    /   /       |
               |  6. Configure Boot [O]ptions...         | |/   /          /   /        |
               |  7. Select Boot [E]nvironment...        |     /          /___/         |
               |                                         |    /                         |
               |                                         |   /_________________________/
               +=========================================+
              
              /boot/kernel/kernel text=0x17c1930 data=0xb93d38+0x557b28 syms=[0x8+0x197400+0x]
              /boot/entropy size=0x1000
              /boot/kernel/zfs.ko size 0x3821b0 at 0x2fde000
              loading required module 'opensolaris'
              /boot/kernel/opensolaris.ko size 0xa3b0 at 0x3361000
              

              First Q

              As you can see, there are a few error on first boot (did not see them at second boot)
              gptzfsboot: error 12 lba 32
              gptzfsboot: error 12 lba 544
              gptzfsboot: error 12 lba 1965088
              gptzfsboot: error 12 lba 1965600
              gptzfsboot: error 12 lba 1966072
              gptzfsboot: error 12 lba 1

              What are they?

              Second Q

              The log mentioned

              ZFS NOTICE: Prefetch is disabled by default if less than 4GB of RAM is present;
              to enable, add "vfs.zfs.prefetch_disable=0" to /boot/loader.conf.
              ZFS filesystem version: 5
              ZFS storage pool version: features support (5000)
              kern.geom.part.mbr.enforce_chs: 0 -> 0
              pfSense Installer

              As the APU2C4 has 4Gb memory, do I have to adjust it (see loader.conf below) and what does it bring?

              [2.4.4-RELEASE][root@pfSense.localdomain]/boot: cat loader.conf
              kern.cam.boot_delay=10000
              kern.ipc.nmbclusters="1000000"
              kern.ipc.nmbjumbop="524288"
              kern.ipc.nmbjumbo9="524288"
              kern.geom.label.disk_ident.enable="0"
              kern.geom.label.gptid.enable="0"
              zfs_load="YES"
              boot_serial="YES"
              console="comconsole"
              comconsole_speed="115200"
              autoboot_delay="3"
              hw.usb.no_pf="1"
              
              

              Third Q

              Why does fstyp still mention UFS?

              [2.4.4-RELEASE][root@pfSense.localdomain]/root: df -h
              Filesystem                Size    Used   Avail Capacity  Mounted on
              zroot/ROOT/default         12G    487M     11G     4%    /
              devfs                     1.0K    1.0K      0B   100%    /dev
              zroot/tmp                  11G    2.9M     11G     0%    /tmp
              zroot/var                  12G    150M     11G     1%    /var
              zroot                      11G     88K     11G     0%    /zroot
              /dev/md0                  3.4M    148K    3.0M     5%    /var/run
              devfs                     1.0K    1.0K      0B   100%    /var/dhcpd/dev
              /lib                       12G    487M     11G     4%    /var/unbound/lib
              devfs                     1.0K    1.0K      0B   100%    /var/unbound/dev
              /var/log/pfblockerng       12G    150M     11G     1%    /var/unbound/var/log/pfblockerng
              /usr/local/share/GeoIP     12G    487M     11G     4%    /var/unbound/usr/local/share/GeoIP
              /usr/local/bin             12G    487M     11G     4%    /var/unbound/usr/local/bin
              /usr/local/lib             12G    487M     11G     4%    /var/unbound/usr/local/lib
              [2.4.4-RELEASE][root@pfSense.localdomain]/root: fstyp -l /dev/md0
              ufs
              
              

              Fourth Q

              From what I read TRIM is enabled on ZFS, but how can I check it? ...

              [2.4.4-RELEASE][root@pfSense.localdomain]/root: tunefs -p /
              tunefs: /: could not open special device
              
              

              Thanks for any help

              Cheers Qinn

              Hardeware: Intel(R) Celeron(R) J4125 CPU @ 2.00GHz 102 GB mSATA SSD (ZFS)
              Firmware: Latest-stable-pfSense CE (amd64)
              Packages: pfBlockerNG devel-beta (beta tester) - Avahi - Notes - Ntopng - PIMD/udpbroadcastrelay - Service Watchdog - System Patches

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

                1. Looks like some problem with the GPT header that it was able to recover. Of you don't see it again then it's likely been fixed at the first boot.

                2. You don't have to set that. It would probably only be a marginal drive performance increase and disk performance is not hugely important for pfSense. If you do choose to set it put it in /boot/loader.conf.local to avoid it being overwritten.

                3. Ram drives are still formatted UFS.

                4. No idea. 😉

                Steve

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                • QinnQ
                  Qinn
                  last edited by Qinn

                  Thanks Steve, would it be wise to set ( then maybe I have data redundancy, but not disk redundancy)

                  zfs set copies=2 yourpoolname
                  

                  BTW I hope that anyone can shed a light on TRIM?

                  Hardeware: Intel(R) Celeron(R) J4125 CPU @ 2.00GHz 102 GB mSATA SSD (ZFS)
                  Firmware: Latest-stable-pfSense CE (amd64)
                  Packages: pfBlockerNG devel-beta (beta tester) - Avahi - Notes - Ntopng - PIMD/udpbroadcastrelay - Service Watchdog - System Patches

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

                    That's not something I've ever tried. If you have the space I guess it makes sense. It would double the writes to the drive though.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • B
                      bigsy @Qinn
                      last edited by

                      @Qinn said in PC Engines APU4C4 Experience:

                      BTW I hope that anyone can shed a light on TRIM?

                      What is the output of sysctl vfs.zfs.trim

                      You should see something like:

                      [2.4.4-RELEASE] [root@b..]/root: sysctl vfs.zfs.trim
                      vfs.zfs.trim.max_interval: 1
                      vfs.zfs.trim.timeout: 30
                      vfs.zfs.trim.txg_delay: 32
                      vfs.zfs.trim.enabled: 1
                      [2.4.4-RELEASE] [root@b..]/root:
                      

                      vfs.zfs.trim.enabled: 1 means TRIM is enabled.

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                      • QinnQ
                        Qinn
                        last edited by Qinn

                        Thanks @bigsy 👍

                        [2.4.4-RELEASE][root@pfSense.localdomain]/root: sysctl vfs.zfs.trim
                        vfs.zfs.trim.max_interval: 1
                        vfs.zfs.trim.timeout: 30
                        vfs.zfs.trim.txg_delay: 32
                        vfs.zfs.trim.enabled: 1
                        
                        

                        Did not change anything after install, seems @doktornotor was right https://forum.netgate.com/topic/84867/2-2-x-zfs-full-install-howto/9

                        Also here https://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO8859-1/books/faq/all-about-zfs.html

                        Nice thread here https://forum.netgate.com/topic/112490/how-to-2-4-0-zfs-install-ram-disk-hot-spare-snapshot-resilver-root-drive from @pfBasic every command uses "yourpoolname" although I think it's in most cases "zroot" is there anyway to check, it seems he did not mentioned it.

                        For now I used :

                        [2.4.4-RELEASE][root@pfSense.localdomain]/root: zpool status
                          pool: zroot
                         state: ONLINE
                          scan: none requested
                        config:
                        
                                NAME        STATE     READ WRITE CKSUM
                                zroot       ONLINE       0     0     0
                                  ada0p3    ONLINE       0     0     0
                        
                        errors: No known data errors
                        
                        

                        btw whats ada0p3 and why is the ram drive on UFS?

                        Hardeware: Intel(R) Celeron(R) J4125 CPU @ 2.00GHz 102 GB mSATA SSD (ZFS)
                        Firmware: Latest-stable-pfSense CE (amd64)
                        Packages: pfBlockerNG devel-beta (beta tester) - Avahi - Notes - Ntopng - PIMD/udpbroadcastrelay - Service Watchdog - System Patches

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • G
                          gtrdriver
                          last edited by

                          Hello

                          Today i got msata Drives and i tryed to do a ZFS install - Install runs fine - no errors at all - but after Reboot System dont boot from msata

                          Tryed 5-6 Times - allways same issue - then installed standard UFS Auto installer - and this Installation boot without any problems.

                          Can anyone confirm this ?

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • G
                            gtrdriver
                            last edited by

                            Some Additional Information:

                            I have now successfully installed pfsense with ZFS on internal SATA Drive - System boot from MSATA - everything seem to be fine.

                            Do some Software Reboots everything is ok

                            The i do a Power Off (hardware) and then Reboot - and then System dont boot from ZFS Installation anymore.

                            Dont get me wrong - i choose ZFS because i read about that ZFS is more stable at Unplaned Power OFF Situations but thats does not seem to work here ?!?

                            Does anyone have other Information or better Results here ?

                            boukeB 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • dotdashD
                              dotdash
                              last edited by

                              I just grabbed an APU4C4 (BIOS 4.10.0.2) and did a zfs install to test. Boots fine. Power off, pull plug, replace plug- boots fine. Reboot from console-works. Yank power cord, then plug back in- boots normally.
                              What are you seeing on the console when it doesn't boot?

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • G
                                gtrdriver
                                last edited by

                                Hi

                                just make Bios Update to 4.10.0.2

                                Then make new install using ZFS (AUTO)
                                I Dont make any changes only "Stripe" and sda0 for the single msata Disk
                                Nothing else changed - is this right ?

                                Then Installation runs trough until end is reached.
                                ba22c761-2d3b-41ba-a8a1-32d65750825a-image.png

                                Then Reboot.
                                19b0aee8-5ef1-4a38-a549-2157d205ee6d-image.png

                                Looking good.

                                I will try again in report ...

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • dotdashD
                                  dotdash
                                  last edited by

                                  My test was a vanilla install using zfs. My msata (Samsung 64 GB) shows as ada0, not sda0.

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • G
                                    gtrdriver
                                    last edited by

                                    Hi

                                    just did 25 Power Shutdowns and It boot well - dont know why other tests today wernt wrong ....
                                    Perhaps its a Firmware Issue - i dont used 4.10.0.2 ....

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • boukeB
                                      bouke @gtrdriver
                                      last edited by

                                      @gtrdriver said in PC Engines APU4C4 Experience:

                                      Some Additional Information:

                                      I have now successfully installed pfsense with ZFS on internal SATA Drive - System boot from MSATA - everything seem to be fine.

                                      Do some Software Reboots everything is ok

                                      The i do a Power Off (hardware) and then Reboot - and then System dont boot from ZFS Installation anymore.

                                      Dont get me wrong - i choose ZFS because i read about that ZFS is more stable at Unplaned Power OFF Situations but thats does not seem to work here ?!?

                                      Does anyone have other Information or better Results here ?

                                      What I normally do is this:

                                      • accept the fact that stuff can break (it will break sooner or later... it's a fact)
                                      • keep a spare USB thumb drive with a working pfSense install image
                                      • create a backup after changing the configuration - and store it safely
                                      • enable auto backup and document the details required for a restore
                                      • connect the APU2/3/4 to a UPS to overcome (short) power outages
                                      • never pull the power cord; except when there isn't another option

                                      I did install quite some APU2/3/4 devices with pfSense(R) open source firewall/router software distribution. Some mSATA SSDs are UFS formatted and others are ZFS formatted. Some are connected to an UPS and some aren't. Over the years we have had some rare cases where we had to reinstall pfSense and restore the configuration from backup.

                                      Also be aware of facts like these: [quote]msata16a on shipment hold. Some customer reported problems leading to data loss, e.g. with Sophos UTM. We suspect that it is related to the TRIM function included in modern file systems (e.g. Linux EXT4). We have finally received a firmware update from our supplier. Customers may return modules to us for firmware reprogramming (data is lost), or for full credit. Modules reprogrammed by us can be recognized by a + mark on the label.[/quote] Source: https://www.pcengines.ch/msata16a.htm

                                      QinnQ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 4
                                      • QinnQ
                                        Qinn @bouke
                                        last edited by Qinn

                                        ZFS seems the most vigorous FS available in pfS, that's why I moved over from UFS to ZFS. The (re)install is a breeze, with a current config file at hand.
                                        My APU2C4 has ECC and to me this and the ZFS FS seems max what I can do against sudden power surges, that being said, I would always use the "halt" command before I pull the power cord ;)

                                        @bouke Kudos for pointing out the flaky mSATA issue link, didn't knew that.

                                        Hardeware: Intel(R) Celeron(R) J4125 CPU @ 2.00GHz 102 GB mSATA SSD (ZFS)
                                        Firmware: Latest-stable-pfSense CE (amd64)
                                        Packages: pfBlockerNG devel-beta (beta tester) - Avahi - Notes - Ntopng - PIMD/udpbroadcastrelay - Service Watchdog - System Patches

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • First post
                                          Last post
                                        Copyright 2025 Rubicon Communications LLC (Netgate). All rights reserved.