2.4.5R1 Update no package re-install

sisko212

@revengineer i have same issue, and not only with as upgrade but also for a fresh 2.4.5p1 install followed by a configuration restore.
I always find pkg-install stuck and i have to kill the process manually after some minutes when i see it taking 0% cpu, in order to leave the upgrade script to continue with other packages... it is really a pain.

Gertjan

As said above :
Clean install.
[ The work-around start here ]
Install one by one the packages.
Only then import your config.xml.

See also https://forum.netgate.com/topic/154337/pfsense-2-4-5-release-p1-now-available/52 and below.

Visseroth

I posted this message here... https://forum.netgate.com/topic/154337/pfsense-2-4-5-release-p1-now-available/60

2.4.5 had issues, 2.4.5p1 has more problems, not just on my personal firewall but on another I support, system specs are exact.
I know the PfSense team does their best to ensure stability and reliability but I can't help but feel like the ball has been dropped somewhere.
In all my years of using PfSense I've never seen so many problems unless using a software NIC like realtek and when a user has a problem the answer should NEVER be "wipe and reload". For a commercial client this means down time, lots of hours trying to fix the problem or calling the PfSense technical support and having them fix the problem and now that I think about it, from a commercial standpoint is a great opportunity to make some extra cash whether intentional or not.

I was told with 2.4.5 that one should uninstall packages before updating.
Knowing user are running packages is pretty much a given so why should things break just because a update is being applied? Sure there's a lot of code to ensure everything goes smooth but this is a known variable in which updates are being applied.
2.4.5p1 the package installer breaks.... sometimes and I'm told the solutions is to reload from scratch, install the packages then load my config?

How is that an acceptable practice? I'm seriously afraid to upgrade any other systems I support because there is a likelihood that they will break and then what? I have to reinstall, preinstall the packages and then re-load the config?

I'm seriously thinking it may be time to leave PfSense and go to something like OPNSense or just forget a open based firewall and going to Ubiquiti.

Oh, and for all those haters that want to flame me, you're another reason I'm thinking of leaving.
I've basicaly said I have (and others) have a problem with the pkg installer and there has been no resolution.

Gertjan

@Visseroth said in 2.4.5R1 Update no package re-install:

2.4.5 had issues, 2.4.5p1 has more problems,

Read about it. That's all I experienced.
I'm using pfSense native and with VM's. No issue 'for me'.

@Visseroth said in 2.4.5R1 Update no package re-install:

personal firewall but on another I support, system specs are exact.

So, software is identical - hardware also.
You and I use the same software. Not the same hardware.
If you would be using my hardware - then no issues ?
(I'm just thinking out loud here)

@Visseroth said in 2.4.5R1 Update no package re-install:

should NEVER be "wipe and reload"

I agree.
Still, if issues, to hunt them down, it's just a way to discover what the issue is.
When I get my hands on a machine, I could do the testing without wiping everything.
Here, on the forum, we never know what happens on a device that shows issue.
Wiping is advised because it makes sure the software platform is ok - and their could only be "settings" issues.

Upgrading pfSense Software

[Netgate Blog : pfSense 2.4.5-RELEASE-p1 Now Available](Upgrading pfSense Software)

=>

Do not update packages before upgrading pfSense! Either remove all packages or do not update packages before running the upgrade.

I just hit the upgrade button - that's it.
I use

acme 	0.6.8 	
Avahi 	2.1_1 	
Cron 	0.3.7_4 	
freeradius3 	0.15.7_16 	
Notes 	0.2.9_2 	
nut 	2.7.4_7 	
openvpn-client-export 	1.4.23 	
pfBlockerNG-devel 	2.2.5_33 	
RRD_Summary 	2.0 	
Shellcmd 	1.0.5_1 	
System_Patches

some of these were upgraded after 2.4.5-P1 came out.

@Visseroth said in 2.4.5R1 Update no package re-install:

and there has been no resolution ...

There is always a solution, often minutes after an issue is recognized and/or can be reproduced at will.
It boils down to : the one that "codes things up" should be aware of the issue. After that, things will go fast.

@Visseroth said in 2.4.5R1 Update no package re-install:

there is a likelihood that they will break and then what?

Yep. That can happen. Even Microsoft, with a WIN10 update, managed to brake the DHCP client while updating, leaving the "PC" without a connection afterwards.

Normally, pfSense can be re installed very fast : keep the N-1 version a USB key (if you have it, you will never need it), and back up your config often (I have it exported every day at 16h00 - and there is the auto backup form Netgate).

I'll do a console reset this week with my @home system.
Or even re install it 'from scratch'. As soon as interface are assigned, I'll import my "config.xml" and have packages being installed during that process. I'll post back with the results.

follysuperscript

Just chiming in to add that I'm having the same issue.

My upgrade from 2.4.5 went fine, but after a recent hard drive replacement, reinstalling and restoring by config is hanging at package re-install like others in this thread. I've tried 3 times with the same results.

Running on bare metal.

Though killing the hung processes is the only thing that got me back up and running, I'm noticing some strange boot up delays at "starting package xxxx ....done", everything appears to be working so it might be nothing, or it might be unrelated, but I worry about killing a process during install.

To all involved in this this great software, thanks! I've used it for many years now without issue.

YonNomNom 0

I just had this issue and I set the option for the firewall to use IPv4 even if IPv6 was available and it seemed to make it work but it could be a fluke.

follysuperscript

@YonNomNom-0
For reference to others looking for a cause, my config is IPv4 only. I have IPv6 turned off / blocked in multiple locations.

Visseroth

For all those having the same problem here is what I did to get the pkgs to install...
I did this from command line but I assume it can be done via the web gui as well.

For me in command line I did...

killall pkg-static
pkg-static upgrade -f

When and if the pkg hangs go into the web gui and go to Status --> Services and stop the packages that you are hung on. You may need to stop the pkg multiple times because it seems the pkg automatically restarts quite quickly.
Be sure to give each package a minute or two before stopping it. I saw a couple packages take a minute or so before continuing.

Oh! and if you get the famous lock error I had to reboot to get the lock to release, no killing of any kind managed to get the lock to let loose.

And many thanks to @al @revengineer for helping me with this problem!!!

revengineer

@Visseroth said in 2.4.5R1 Update no package re-install:

When and if the pkg hangs go into the web gui and go to Status --> Services and stop the packages that you are hung on. You may need to stop the pkg multiple times because it seems the pkg automatically restarts quite quickly.

This is essentially the workaround that @jimp proposed here a few days ago. I am glad you got it to work.

Visseroth

@revengineer Ahh, never did see that thread. Well I'm glad it's a known issue and I hope it gets fixed. Thanks for pointing that out and thanks for your help