Watchguard Firebox M400/M500
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@mithermo1 I had the same problems. The only combo I could get working was with the provided freedos image from this thread and the STOCK CF CARD that came with the watch guard.
I had multiple other brands/sizes of CF cards and none would boot on the M400 - but the stock card that was in it would (same image same write method same size card etc...)
Check out my post from awhile back in this thread it shows all the combos I tried to boot from.
Makes no sense why it did what it did - but I tested and retested (and verified all images worked on other hardware). I also ended up connecting VGA output straight to the motherboard at some point - that helped a bunch with troubleshooting.
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@mithermo1 I can't say specifically for the M400/M500 but I have had a similar issue with a M570, only pfsense would output to the console enabling me to do an install.
My way around this was to install my non-pfsense OS on another machine and config the bootloader to enable serial/tty0 output as well as screen/console output, I then moved the SSD from that machine into the M570 and was able to review the output screens, complete the install and modify IP addresses using the console.
I've had VMware ESXi v7 and ProxMox running on the M570 thanks to this method.
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@jutg987654321 said in Watchguard Firebox M400/M500:
@mithermo1 I had the same problems. The only combo I could get working was with the provided freedos image from this thread and the STOCK CF CARD that came with the watch guard.
Looks like this was the same issue I had. Used the stock 4GB card that came with it, freedos booted and bios flashed. Thank you.
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Is there a setting in the bios that will restore power to the M400 after a power outage? Unless it natively will do this (I am yet to just yank the power from it)
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It comes up at the last power state in the default BIOS.
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@stephenw10 Many thanks.
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After been sat on the sidelines and reading through this I'm swaying towards getting a m400, hopefully soon in my village I will have full fttp so 1gb up/down, but before I do is it worth it still today as the this thread has been around a while.
I have a pfsense build on a older gaming pc ( i7 3770k 32gd ram 256gb ssd) but it's in a tower case on top of my x3650 m3 which is impractical and power hungry.
Had pfsense running on a VM but the post time of a server to a bare metal machine is night and day in a family household.
Not shy in tinkering and messing with stuff
spent a week trying to get pfsense to run on a meru wireless controller for lols only to find out its 32bit CPU and definitely not worth it .Any advice or suggestions would be great and thanks in advance
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It will pass 1Gbps easily enough if that's what you mean. You can replace the CPU with a variety of other 4th gen models for more throughput or less power consumption.
Steve
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Hi Steve, thanks for your input much appreciated, is there any difference between the one with a screen on it or the one with the 2 sfp's?
Cheers Oliver
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The m400/m500 has no LCD and has two 1G SFP ports. There are many other firebox models of varying age, you'll have to be more specific.
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Sorry should of been a bit more specific one has model number KL5AE8 which is the M400 afaik but then i seen NC2AE8 badged as a M400 aswell unless its an error in the listing?
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NC2AE8 is the XTM5 which is much older device. It uses a Core2duo CPU for example.
The M400 is better in just about every way. Except maybe the lack of an LCD. And whether you consider a UEFI BIOS an advantage!
Steve
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@stephenw10 uefi bios has cause nothing but bother in my eyes where stuff would normally just boot you now have to dick around and change stupid settings just to get it boot from a usb
I'm trying to get a good deal on the M400 atm
What's the difference between the M400 to the M500?
Cheers Ollie
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@seacombe2379 said in Watchguard Firebox M400/M500:
What's the difference between the M400 to the M500?
Different CPU. Double the RAM. Check the hardware guide.
Both of which you could swap in anyway.
Steve
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So that's out of Watchguards factory specs but nothing a wee upgrade couldn't fix?
What's the max ram they support? 16gb ddr3?
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Yeah the board and case are identical as far as I know. I've never laid hands on an M500.
If you search this thread I'm sure you'll find someone who has tried 16GB. I've never needed that.
Steve
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@stephenw10 Cheers Steve I will confirm once I get my hands on one I have a few combinations of ram lying around
Regards the console is it only rj45? Is there an internal serial at all I can't remember if that was said? I know there is a internal VGA.
What's the best usb to rj45 serial that people use?
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Yes, it's only the RJ-45 console port. I've used a variety of whatever I had in hand and they've all worked.
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@seacombe2379 said in Watchguard Firebox M400/M500:
What's the best usb to rj45 serial that people use?
I use the same blue one that I use at work on our Cisco stuff.
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I was literally just about to pull the trigger on the Watchguard then a Nomadix AG5800 came up,
As far as I can see there the same inside?!? Correct me if I'm wrong for it for a steal for the price they sell at plus I like the green but red would of been good
redirect me to the nomadix thread if you want
