Resized 1.2.2 embedded image with Alix tweaks

[dotdash]

A couple of people have expressed interest in a resized embedded image, or an embedded image that defaults to vr0 and vr1, or an embedded version that has simple LED control, so I have uploaded a custom image I made to one of those lame free file sharing sites that makes you watch dumb ads while you download.

Before you try it, be aware that the modifications I made could cause bad things to happen. If you have troubles, please go back to the stock pfSense image and test before reporting any problems.
Also, my upgrade attempts so far with 2.0-alpha and 1.2.3 have resulted in an unbootable system, so the larger image may not be that useful. And if you manage to upgrade it, it will overwrite all the customizations.

NOTES:
I started with the 1.2.2 embedded image and made the following changes:

1. Copied in glxsb.ko from FreeBSD 7.1 to /boot/kernel/ (you could manually load it to test)
2. Copied in alixresetbtn compiled on FreeBSD 7 from code posted on the m0n0wall forum http://forum.m0n0.ch/index.php/topic,2210.msg7085.html#msg7085
3. Changed the default NICS to vr0 and vr1 from sis0 and sis1 (no interface assign on Alix)
4. Changed the autboot_delay from 5 to 2 seconds.
5. Updated /etc/bogons
6. Copied a simple script to /usr/local/etc/rc.d/ to turn on LED2 when fully booted.
7. Added a command to turn off LED2 to /etc/rc.shutdown
8. Resized the image to slightly under 1 GB (so it would fit on various 1 GB cards)

The technique was taken mostly from http://forum.pfsense.org/index.php/topic,1998.msg11406.html
and http://forum.pfsense.org/index.php/topic,1672.0.html

If you want to try this totally unsupported image, you can download it here:
http://www.savefile.com/files/1984023

[funnyfrish]

hello,

could you make that also for the full version of pfsense? so that we can also install the packages.

[dotdash]

There are several posts with pointers for getting the full version installed on an Alix, or you could try one of the Hacom images http://www.hacom.net//catalog/pub/pfsense/ , I think they are based on a full install. I'm not using Alix boxes for full installs, and don't have the time to work on a full image.

[coudu]

Hi,
If someone is interested I've made a 1GB tweaked full install CF image. I haven't tested it yet because I'm not at home this week but it's based on my non tweaked full install image so it should work.

This image has been made using qemu as I always do to prepare CF images for my alix board.

Here are dotdash's tweaks + my own tweaks:

I started with the 1.2.2 install iso and made the following changes:

1. Full install using embedded kernel
2. Copied in glxsb.ko from FreeBSD 7.1 to /boot/kernel/ + added in loader.conf so that it is loaded on boot
3. Copied in alixresetbtn compiled on FreeBSD 7 from code posted on the m0n0wall forum http://forum.m0n0.ch/index.php/topic,2210.msg7085.html#msg7085
4. Changed the default NICS to vr0 and vr1 from sis0 and sis1 (no interface assign on Alix)
5. Left default full install autboot_delay (1 second)
6. Updated /etc/bogons
7. Copied a simple script to /usr/local/etc/rc.d/ to turn on LED2 when fully booted.
8. Added a command to turn off LED2 to /etc/rc.shutdown
   8)ad0s1a (rootfs) is mounted with noatime option to preserve CF card
   Image is 977MB (so it would fit on various 1 GB cards)

Let me know if you are interested in testing it but remember it is untested and fully unsupported so try it at your own risks…

[Tuckie]

I would love a folder with some of those files/scripts that you used for building the image.  I'm looking at getting an alix running on an ipod hard drive (first one to do so?).  I'm currently waiting on some adapters before I get started though (yay! slow shipping from china).

[dotdash]

Most of my technique was taken from the sources referenced in my original post. I was working on an old laptop with PC-BSD (FreeBSD 7) on it.
Download the image.
gunzip imagename.img.gz
mdconfig -a -t vnode -f /home/admin/imagename.img
(it will return mdx, in my case it was md1)
mkdir /home/admin/temp
mount /dev/md1 /home/admin/temp

Now the image is mounted in a tempdir and you can go in and work with the image.
When done unmount and get rid of the memory disk:
umount /home/admin/temp
mdconfig -d -u 1
To mount the config partition you have to use mount /dev/md1d instead of md1
When done, I use the mkflash_new script, with the 1024 section modified slightly:
flash_MB=950
conf_MB=5
heads=32
sectors=63

[GoldServe]

I wonder if someone can make an ALIX image with a full install kernel so I can image to my microdrive.

Please and thank you!

[GruensFroeschli]

Or you could just follow the guide here:
http://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/Full_Install_on_WRAP_Embedded_Router