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    Installtion on a laptop with Ethernet and USB

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Problems Installing or Upgrading pfSense Software
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    • A
      agremlin
      last edited by

      I am running pfsense 2.4.2 on a 2 core atom laptop, WAN connected to the Ethernet port, LAN connected to USB port using a LAN to USB adapter. I have a 4 core laptop (want to replace the ageing eepc) that I tried unsucessfuly to setup pfsense 2.4.5 on.
      At assign interfaces:
      No to VLAN
      Unplug everthing
      WAN -> select 'a' then plug in WAN cable to Ethernet port
      LAN -> select 'a' then plugin LAN cable (via LAN to USB connector) to a USB port I get message "No link-up detected". I tried every USB port, re-ran WAN and LAN autocofig numerous times, tried every LAN interface code that appeard when plugin/unplug the usb cable (eg usbsb0 and several similar I cant recall atm).
      How can I determine the mac address of a USB port?, I am unsure why this method works on an old eepc and not a newer lenovo laptop. Any help would be appreciated

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      • P
        pwood999
        last edited by

        FreeBSD probably not recognising the USB-Ethernet adaptor. Maybe plug the USB adaptor into the laptop first, and then re-install PfSense.

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        • A
          agremlin
          last edited by

          Thanks for the reply,

          I re- installed pfsense with the USB to Ethernet connected and connected to a live cable. I then re-ran setup, autonfigured WAN, disconnected WAN pressed a to autoconfig LAN, connected the live USB to Ethernet adapter, it is recognised at usbus0.
          ue0: {USB Ethernet> on cdce0 and has an Ethernet addres, but when I press enter I get same message 'No link-up detected'

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          • bmeeksB
            bmeeks
            last edited by bmeeks

            USB Ethernet adapters are not well supported in FreeBSD, and since pfSense is built on top of FreeBSD, USB Ethernet adapters are not well supported in pfSense either.

            Beyond the basic work/not work issue, in general USB Ethernet adapters usually have very poor performance when compared to regular NICs.

            Instead of trying to repurpose a laptop, why not purchase one of the Netgate small appliances like the SG-1100 or the larger SG-3100? They are low power, have small footprints (much smaller than a laptop even) and as a added bonus their purchase helps Netgate make some money so they can continue to support the Community Edition of pfSense.

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            • A
              agremlin
              last edited by

              @bmeeks said in Installtion on a laptop with Ethernet and USB:

              SG-1100

              Yes, looks like a better option. Thanks

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