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    Fresh/New installation using old config.xml backup from 2.3.4 ? How to?

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Problems Installing or Upgrading pfSense Software
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    • P
      pfsense_user12123
      last edited by

      What is the correct installation procedure if I want to use an old config.xml backup from 2.3.4 for the reinstallation (new installation) on zfs?

      MB: Supermicro X11SBA-LN4F/F
      RAM: 8GB
      HD: 120 GB SSD
      Switch: Cisco SG 200-08
      AP: TP-Link AP500

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      • R
        Rockjansky
        last edited by

        I'll take a shot at this, if you run the 2.4 installer from media it gives you the option to recover the config from the previous install.

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        • P
          pfsense_user12123
          last edited by

          would be great!.

          then we would have a fully documented installation guide
          about using an old config.xml backup!

          one more question!

          Where do i have to put the config.xml file? On the usb stick of which I install the system?

          thx

          MB: Supermicro X11SBA-LN4F/F
          RAM: 8GB
          HD: 120 GB SSD
          Switch: Cisco SG 200-08
          AP: TP-Link AP500

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          • john_galtJ
            john_galt
            last edited by

            ;)

            https://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/Automatically_Restore_During_Install

            Doug

            Doug

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            • P
              pfsense_user12123
              last edited by

              so i do need 2 usb sticks for installation process ?

              one for the system itself and one for the config.xml?

              What is the name of the menu point I have to select during the installation so the Pre-Flight Install starts ?

              MB: Supermicro X11SBA-LN4F/F
              RAM: 8GB
              HD: 120 GB SSD
              Switch: Cisco SG 200-08
              AP: TP-Link AP500

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              • john_galtJ
                john_galt
                last edited by

                The instructions say yes, 2 sticks.

                I would believe the installer may be programmed to use config.xml if it exists.
                I'll let you know tomorrow as I need to do this also.

                Doug

                Doug

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                • JailerJ
                  Jailer
                  last edited by

                  @john_galt:

                  ;)

                  https://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/Automatically_Restore_During_Install

                  Doug

                  I've found this method to be extremely unreliable. Your safest best is to save a copy of your config and then do a fresh install. Once you are able to make it to the dashboard restore your saved config file.

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                  • GrimsonG
                    Grimson Banned
                    last edited by

                    It's pretty simple with 2.4:

                    Start the installation.
                    Choose the option to recover an existing config.
                    Select the partition of your old pfSense installation.
                    It will then mount it and read the config.
                    After that continue installing the normal way and you'll be done.

                    If that fails, setup your LAN interface in the console and restore a backup of your config via the WebUI.

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                    • P
                      pfsense_user12123
                      last edited by

                      @Jailer:

                      @john_galt:

                      ;)

                      https://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/Automatically_Restore_During_Install

                      Doug

                      I've found this method to be extremely unreliable. Your safest best is to save a copy of your config and then do a fresh install. Once you are able to make it to the dashboard restore your saved config file.

                      Do i have to clear the config.cache after restoring the config.xml ?

                      MB: Supermicro X11SBA-LN4F/F
                      RAM: 8GB
                      HD: 120 GB SSD
                      Switch: Cisco SG 200-08
                      AP: TP-Link AP500

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • P
                        pfsense_user12123
                        last edited by

                        Ok. i did it. No problems at all! :-)

                        i did a fresh install over IPMI. After installation process was finished i restored the config.xml and did a restart.
                        no problems at all.

                        thx4all

                        MB: Supermicro X11SBA-LN4F/F
                        RAM: 8GB
                        HD: 120 GB SSD
                        Switch: Cisco SG 200-08
                        AP: TP-Link AP500

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                        • K
                          kevindd992002
                          last edited by

                          So is it really better to recover the file during the installation or just restore it in the dashboard when pfsense is already reinstalled?

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                          • I
                            iso70x
                            last edited by

                            I have just had to restore a 2.3.4 config onto a fresh 2.4 system (upgrade to 2.4 via GUI failed, long story, file system got corrupted somehow).

                            Doing a fresh install of 2.4, then restoring the 2.3.4 config backup worked perfectly. All packages were installed automatically and everything seems fine. Entire system back up and running very quickly.

                            Restore was done via gui diagnostics menu after the system was up and running with default config btw.

                            For ref, this was done on a PCEngine APU1D4 via a serial cable.

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                            • K
                              kevindd992002
                              last edited by

                              @iso70x:

                              I have just had to restore a 2.3.4 config onto a fresh 2.4 system (upgrade to 2.4 via GUI failed, long story, file system got corrupted somehow).

                              Doing a fresh install of 2.4, then restoring the 2.3.4 config backup worked perfectly. All packages were installed automatically and everything seems fine. Entire system back up and running very quickly.

                              Restore was done via gui diagnostics menu after the system was up and running with default config btw.

                              For ref, this was done on a PCEngine APU1D4 via a serial cable.

                              I see. Did you reinstall it in UEFI mode?

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                              • I
                                iso70x
                                last edited by

                                @kevindd992002:

                                @iso70x:

                                I have just had to restore a 2.3.4 config onto a fresh 2.4 system (upgrade to 2.4 via GUI failed, long story, file system got corrupted somehow).

                                Doing a fresh install of 2.4, then restoring the 2.3.4 config backup worked perfectly. All packages were installed automatically and everything seems fine. Entire system back up and running very quickly.

                                Restore was done via gui diagnostics menu after the system was up and running with default config btw.

                                For ref, this was done on a PCEngine APU1D4 via a serial cable.

                                I see. Did you reinstall it in UEFI mode?

                                No, standard bios I’m afraid. The APU uses the open source coreboot firmware which I believe is comparable to legacy bios.

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                                • K
                                  kevindd992002
                                  last edited by

                                  @iso70x:

                                  @kevindd992002:

                                  @iso70x:

                                  I have just had to restore a 2.3.4 config onto a fresh 2.4 system (upgrade to 2.4 via GUI failed, long story, file system got corrupted somehow).

                                  Doing a fresh install of 2.4, then restoring the 2.3.4 config backup worked perfectly. All packages were installed automatically and everything seems fine. Entire system back up and running very quickly.

                                  Restore was done via gui diagnostics menu after the system was up and running with default config btw.

                                  For ref, this was done on a PCEngine APU1D4 via a serial cable.

                                  I see. Did you reinstall it in UEFI mode?

                                  No, standard bios I’m afraid. The APU uses the open source coreboot firmware which I believe is comparable to legacy bios.

                                  I see. So we're not UEFI-compatible, bummer :(

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