Getting Into PfSense

Stewart

I have a firewall that I can't seem to get into. It's an APU1D4. It boots up and plays the bootup sound. I can see blinking on the SSD so I think everything is working fine. The problem is that I can't seem to elicit a response from the LAN NIC so I don't know what its IP is. I also can't seem to connect in via serial cable. It shows all the way up to "Bootup Complete" and shows no more. I've tried the console on both 115200 and 9600. I've even plugged a crossover cable into the port directly into my laptop and ran wireshark to look at the packets without any luck. How do I get into this box?

Guest

I have a firewall that I can't seem to get into. It's an APU1D4.

Ok, this should be a good device to run pfSense on it, mostly in Germany many users are going with that device
without any problems for sure.

It boots up and plays the bootup sound. I can see blinking on the SSD so I think everything is working fine.

Which pfSense version was installed on that unit?
32Bit or 64Bit?
And what kind of pfSense image was taken by you for that installation?
NanoBSD or fresh and a full install?

For a full and fresh install please go with the 64Bit Memstick-serial image and please change also back the boot order after installing!
Installing pfSense
Installation Troubleshooting

Connect to the GUI
The WebGUI is used to configure the vast majority of items in pfSense. It may be accessed by any modern
browser, though Firefox and Chrome are preferred. Connect a client PC to the LAN of the firewall and ensure
it obtained an IP address. If it did not, it may be plugged into the wrong port. Open a web browser and navigate
to https://192.168.1.1/, using the default username admin and password pfsense to login. The first visit to the
WebGUI will be redirected to the setup wizard, which is also accessible at System > Setup Wizard. Proceed through
the wizard and configure things as desired.

The problem is that I can't seem to elicit a response from the LAN NIC so I don't know what its IP is.

please read above.

I also can't seem to connect in via serial cable.

Did you chose the pfSense-Memstick-serial-64Bit-image? if not I would prefer a clean, fresh and full installation
by using the memstick-serial-64Bit-image

It shows all the way up to "Bootup Complete" and shows no more.

What kind of serial or console cable do you use to connect to that device? And from where do you trying to connect to it?
Windows, MacOS or Linux? The best bet I would go with if available is installing Putty on a let us say Windows PC or Laptop
and then using that equipment shown here under that link, it is well working for me and it was cheap too!
Connecting to the Serial Console
Console parts for APU1D4 ~20 Euros

I've tried the console on both 115200 and 9600. I've even plugged a crossover cable into the port directly into my laptop and ran wireshark to look at the packets without any luck.

On all three points must be set up as the following;

Putty 115200 1/N/8 (and save the settings there please)
APU1D4 (BIOS) 115200 1/N/8 (and save settings there in the BIOS)
pfSense (default) 115200 1/N/8

Then it might be the best bet to get an access over the serial console!

How do I get into this box?

Please read above.

chpalmer

Try the WAN NIC. They might be swapped.