Upgrade storage on sg3100
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I would just backup, recover to ada0, restore, and forget the on-board storage exists.
That way you don't have to worry about upgrades, etc blowing up.
Thanks for the info.
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Nice right up. :)
However I would definitely recommend installing directly to the SSD rather than trying to run across two disks.
The fstab may be overwritten at update and you can't be sure how things might behave if/when that happens.
Steve
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There is now a write-up in the SG-3100 manual: https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/solutions/sg-3100/m-2-sata-installation.html
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@derelict How can you directly restore to the new SSD? Do you need to reinstall the firmware or is there a process to copy and reinstall from the CLI / configurator?
I looked at the manual and didn't see anything other than inserting the new SSD.
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@s0m3f00l Backup the configuration, reinstall to the SSD, Restore the backed-up configuration.
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@derelict Awesome. Thank you. I can get the newest firmware via ticket correct? I have an older version on USB.
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@s0m3f00l Yes.
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@derelict Last question, How do I remove the old install? should I just mount the internal storage and "rm -rf /"? Where is the bootloader located?
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@s0m3f00l said in Upgrade storage on sg3100:
"rm -rf /"
Ah, the last century's 'DOS' method of upgrading.
Noop.What about a : insert the USB key containing the new 'ISO', and do a software reboot from pfSense using the wired console access using the other (micro ?) USB port.
If there is a key to enter in what might be some sort of BIOS or early 'device' boot menu, use that now.
See the complete 3100 manual for all the details.
Use the boot menu - as a classic PC - to boot from the USB stick.
If all goes well, the installer will take tell you or propose to use or import the already existing pfSense config.
Let it finish installing, it will reboot. Remove the USB as soon as it reboots.
Admire the works.Btw : I do not have or own a SG-3100, and worse, I'm writing this right out of my head, a it seesm to be the logic way.
Be warned : I didn't consult the manual. -
@gertjan I know how to upgrade I was asking about removing the old install from the old internal emmc drive, thanks though.
For anyone else reading this, I got in touch with netgate TAC and they recommended leaving the old install in place as a backup to the new drive. I assume the bootloader for the sg3100 is somewhere on that internal drive so don't delete.
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You could erase the eMMC but there is little point doing so.
uboot is stored separately on an SPI chip.
Steve
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@derelict
How to backup, recover to ada0? When I use the webconfigurator Backup& Restore there is no way to tell the "system" to use ada0 for the backup location.Please tell me how to accomplish this ….
I have access to the "system" through the console port using "screen" and can access the SSD M.2 drive and root directory.What to do next?
Thank you!
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@coastcontrol What, exactly, are you trying to do? Reinstall to ada0 and restore the config is what it sounds like you want.
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@mp-oli This procedure no longer works. I’m still trying to find one that does.
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You don't need to do any of that, and haven't for a long while.
Just boot the recovery image from USB and choose to install to ada0. It will set the required uboot variables to boot from it.
Steve
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Thanks for all the detail; it is beneficial.
Question - I am doing the same and wonder if I am supposed to format the new SSD before I put it in? If so, what format?
Thanks!!
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No you don't need to format the drive. The recovery image write a drive image dircetly to it and that includes the filesystem.
However you will now need to set the uboot env in 23.09.1 if your 3100 was previously booting from eMMC. The install instructions from TAC should include that though.
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FYI update: I was able to solve my issue of an unrecognizable filesystem error/partition. I put the drive in an enclosure and connected it to Windows, then used diskpart to "clean" the drive, which removed all partitions. Then, I was able to reinstall pfSense using recovery. now, I can see my disk from the GUI, and it seems to be running well.
I hope this helps someone else.
