Watchguard Firebox M400/M500
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Hi all! I'm excited to say that I recently acquired 2 Firebox M400s to tinker around with. I'll probably end up leaving the BIOS alone on them, but I do have a few hardware questions:
1-CPU: From what I've seen in this thread, it looks like the i3-4130 is the way to go as far as a plug and play CPU. If anyone has other thoughts here, let me know! (I have not ordered CPUs yet for these)
2-RAM: I've seen some debate here about whether or not a 16GB RAM configuration will work. Has anyone had success running 16GB on the stock BIOS? Or should I just stick with running 8GB in a 2x4GB configuration?
3-Storage: What are everyone's opinions here? (Pros and Cons?) I'm debating about getting a new CF card to install on or if I should just remove the CF card all together and drop an SSD in. If you're using a CF card, what size are you using? I've seen them from 4GB all the way up to 64GB. (I've seen pfsense successfully installed on a 16GB card, but wasn't sure if that was the only size you could use for this application or if any size would work.)
My final question (for now anyways, because I'm sure I will have more... lol) is for @stephenw10: For getting the Arm/Disarm lights working, will I need to have a modified BIOS, or can I leave that alone?
Thanks all!
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I have not tried a 4130 but as you say others have reported good things about them. They are usually the cheapest CPU that will fit. I can tell you the 4160 runs fine but for some reason will not reboot which is very inconvenient!
You almost certainly don't need 16GB, I've yet to find a good excuse to upgrade from 4GB.
It will run from CF but you need to take steps to reduce writes if you do. Remove SWAP at install, enable RAM disks once booted. The CF is slooooow. Updates can seem to take forever. It's very easy to install to CF though.
You don't need to change the BIOS to run WGXepx64.
Steve
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@zanthos ... Just sent you a PM :)
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@zanthos ... NVM bud. I got it sorted :)
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After ~5 months I thought it time to pursue M400v2 :)
I had ordered the necessary parts some time ago, and finally had the opportunity to complete the overhaul.
i.e. update to BIOSv6 w/NVMe Support + transition to an NVMe SSD
I am happy to say it has all been successful !
So my M400 is now running off a 256GB PCI-E Solid State Drive !
WooHoo !
Pic below of completed M400v2....
Thanks again to zanthos for all of the custom BIOS efforts !
PS ... a quick edit to note that what the pics do not show are the rubber bumpers underneath the M.2 SSD itself that keep it all raised up for air flow, etc. The anti-static layer is more of a precaution versus anything else.
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@Mookatroid said in Watchguard Firebox M400/M500:
After ~5 months I thought it time to pursue M400v2 :)
I had ordered the necessary parts some time ago, and finally had the opportunity to complete the overhaul.Where did you source the adapter board RC-75842?
Nice upgrade!
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@chpalmer He bought is from Lanner or so he said! :)
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@Smoothrunnings said in Watchguard Firebox M400/M500:
@chpalmer He bought is from Lanner or so he said! :)
Thanks!
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@Mookatroid said in Watchguard Firebox M400/M500:
After ~5 months I thought it time to pursue M400v2 :)
I had ordered the necessary parts some time ago, and finally had the opportunity to complete the overhaul.
i.e. updated BIOSv6 w/NVMe Support + transition to an NVMe SSD
I am happy to say it has all been successful !
So my M400 is now running off a 256GB PCI-E Soldi State Drive !
WooHoo !
Pic below of completed M400v2....Thanks again to zanthos for all of the custom BIOS efforts !
PS ... a quick edit to note that what the pics do not show are the rubber bumpers underneath the M.2 SSD itself that keep it all raised up for air flow, etc. The anti-static layer is more of a precaution versus anything else.
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Why not!
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I got my Firebox M400 today thanks to @Mookatroid :)
After a upgrading it a little bit, I installed an i5-4570, why? Because that's what I had on hand. And pushed the memory to 8GB. I ordered a SSD which I had @Mookatroid along with 2.4.5 base.
The one feature I didn't realize the router came with until I got it was a power button on the front. My previous router a CAR-3030 SmoothWall and before that the Firebox XTM 5 series don't have this feature, I hated having to remote my server panel to reach in with my arm to hit the switch.
Thanks,
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what software should i use to modify the rom thoroughly ?? i want to change system name etc ... thx a lot
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@stephenw10 said in Watchguard Firebox M400/M500:
You can dump the BIOS image from the pfSense command line using flashrom but it cannot re-write it.
Searching though this thread still but what has everyone done to flash the bios on an M400 with software?
Ive got a donor box Im playing with. :)
Ive got the latest bios code from this thread..
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You can flash it with AMIs dos tool, afudos. Maybe their uefi tool if you hook up a monitor the internal VGA pins. I forget if I tried that...
https://forum.netgate.com/post/836153
Steve
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Thanks Steve: From your graphic it looks like you booted somehow while pfsense was active.. Is that not the case? I assume you booted from a freedos on CF card and worked from there..??
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Yeah I booted FreeDOS from a CF card. Looking back that is confusing. I was connecting to the M400 com port from another pfSense box that was next to it at the time, so the first line there is from an SG-5100.
Steve
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Mine may be a losing battle till I come up with a set of pins to use on the VGA header. Com1 does not seem to work when I use your freedos image. Though I can hear the three beeps.
edit..
Writing to the ROM as I type here. Had to append an autoexec.bat file in the copy of freedos I was using..
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I picked up a Watchguard branded SFP 1gbps multi mode from Amazon and installed it today in this M400. Running my primary LAN over fiber from the switch now. Works well for anybody considering it.
Jumbo frames (MTU 9000).
Now my desktop is all fiber to the router. :) Im as happy as a tornado in a trailer park!
Not sure it gained me anything.. Call it educational.
Steve: My rack is starting to look like that picture of all your Watchguards you shared some time back.. The next time we have to pay the power bill may be my cure.
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@chpalmer said in Watchguard Firebox M400/M500:
The next time we have to pay the power bill may be my cure.
Yup, I know that pain.
