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    PC Engines APU4C4 Experience

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Hardware
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    • 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

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