SATA or CF-Flash , for new install + Can't load kernel message w. USB inst
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Hello
Total pfsense & *bsd newbie here , but i know linux & networking
I just got a LX800 board for $18
http://www.avalue.com.tw/Product/Embedded-Computing/Single-Board-Computer/3.5%22/ECM-LX800_1835#I was thinking about trying out pfsense on it.
It has a CF slot , but also 2 SATA IF's
What would be the preferred storage media …
Well i mean is CF "good enough" i only have 1GB CF cards home , but have a 240GB Sata if needed.I was planning on installing 1GB Ram , think it's max it can handle.
It has 2 xRealtek 8101L - 10/100Mb adapters , i know intel is preferred , but would they be ok ?
I have access to kbd/mouse & Vga during install , but not after that.
Is there anything like VNC or other that i should install/activate during install ?
I supose as a newbie , a GUI would be preferable , allthough i know my way around ssh.As for install , i plan on installing from USB , but saw sometning about nanobsd mentioned (what's that) ??
Ohh it's for home usage, and if i like pfsense , i'l get a stronger box w. gigabit IF's.
I'll expect to run 5..10 vlans , to segment server , phones , instruments , IOT and streaming devices.
Thanx for helping out
Bingo
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Go with sata.
Realtek cause issues. No clue how bad they'll be in your setup.
Pfsense has a web GUI
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Go with sata.
Realtek cause issues. No clue how bad they'll be in your setup.
Pfsense has a web GUI
Thanx :)
What is NanoBSD ?
A BSD for space constrained devices ?If i use a 240GB SSD , should i use NanoBSD or ???
/Bingo
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nanoBSD is an image that is built with 2 bootable partitions and system upgrades install to the opposite partition on each upgrade… It was intended for use with CF cards or other "almost embedded" systems. Support for it in pfSense finishes with the 2.3.* release series.
For an SSD or "normal" disk you want the "normal" full install. And, unless you are going to somehow cache half the known universe, you won't need anywhere near 240GB of space!
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I noticed your board has 4x USB 2.0
1 GB is a little tight for install. I'm sure it's doable with a little of your own partitioning though.
240GB SATA drive is overkill / waste of power.
I would recommend installing 2.4.0 BETA with ZFS to a pair of cheap (2-4GB should be fine if you have them lying around, if not 8GB is about $6/ea) flash drives in a mirror. 2.4 BETA works really well (at least for my needs suricata, pfBlockerNG, OpenVPN server & clients).
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You cannot install 2.4 on i386.
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:o My bad, Didn't catch that!
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For an SSD or "normal" disk you want the "normal" full install. And, unless you are going to somehow cache half the known universe, you won't need anywhere near 240GB of space!
Well i only have 2 x 240 GB SSD , they were on sale for $70/pcs - Toshiba A100
I ended up using an Intenso 256GB SSD :-[ … Think it's an older technology.I just spend [b]7 hours getting the !"!#¤&" system to boot.
While using the USB image , i always ended up in : Can't load kernel :-
Within the first few secs after boot.I think i must have toggled every setting in the BIOS , while fighting this.
No use ….I tried the 2.3.3 usb image , the 2.3.2 , the 2.3.3 nano(Vga) , always ended up in : Can't load kernel.
I tried to do a bootable USB stck of the pfSense CD ISO , but it would not boot.
I tryed to do the same using unetbootin , but it couldn't find the "kernel", (not even boot to the loader).I then Burned a CD-Rom image of 2.3.3 , but it failed too.
It got a lot further , and i even saw the bootselection , and loaded the kernel (txt,data,sym).
Then it stopped w. something like mountroot error 19, timeout.Gave up and installed Debian8 wo probs. ;)
And the it hit me … Somewhere there was a hint to a timeout when booting from CD
Booting from USB
If the boot stops with a mountroot error while booting off the installation disc, usually with USB CD/DVD drives, escape to the loader prompt and run the following:set kern.cam.boot_delay="10000"
bootI decided to try , and i actually think i came through …
It doesn't stop after the load of the kernel , and i have just selected Easy Install.
That's a pitty that the USB install is so unstable. Even though it's old hardware (ie Debian just flew through , and Linux Mint booted fine too , until it was angry about me not having PAE , and not specified "force").
Would it be possible to give a hint in the install section , that on older hw. it might be a good idea to try out a real CD.
I was like 90% ready to give up (good thing i'm persistent).
If the current install fails , i'l have to leave pfSense for a while ... But my fingers are crossed.
/Bingo
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USB install HSS always worked flawlessly for me.
It sounds like the installer told you exactly what the problem was and you just glossed over it a few times until you caught it?
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USB install HSS always worked flawlessly for me.
It sounds like the installer told you exactly what the problem was and you just glossed over it a few times until you caught it?
Well it i have had Zero luck w. the USB image (Usb Stick) , and the installer said nothing :-
Just can't load kernel.First after spending 6h , figthing USB stick install.
I finally made a CD , and installed via USB-CD , that worked , after setting the kernel delay stuff.I just got it installed , and after 1h of headscratching , i found out that i had swapped the interfaces :-[ :-[
It seems to work now.
Did a few vlan's , quite nice user interface (GUI)
/Bingo
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Any hints on enabling trim on the pfSense 2.3.3 i386 install
Just remembered i use a SSD
/Bingo
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Try this:
Ahh Thanx
I just did this (booting from the ssd)
Check if enabled (ssh to pfSense, and select the shell) /sbin/tunefs -p / To enable 1: Boot in singleuser mode (use console) 2: do a df , to get the disk uuid 3: Enter (adapt to your uuid) - /sbin/tunefs -t enable /dev/ufsid/ <uuid from="" df="">4: reboot Check if enabled /sbin/tunefs -p /</uuid>/Bingo
