Am I missing something here? Shuttle XPC no graphics, no serial port
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There's only two pcie slots in this I5 shuttle, so If I have a graphics card installed, I can't have my nic cards installed. Since I have no serial ports, or built in graphics, I used the VGA install with a graphics card. installed fine, defined the Wan port using the built-in RJ45, but when I remove the graphics card to install my nics, the machine won't boot, or at least won't appear on my network.
Even a normal router is able to be installed over the network. I can't believe there's no way to do this truly headless? I also don't see a way to shutdown the router or even reboot from the web interface. It looks like some functions like that are limited to the console. Am I crazy, or is netgate?
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The "VGA" version needs a screen interface e to boot.
The 'serial' version needs a serial port to boot.What about using that serial version, ans start with a WAN + LAN NIC ?
Or use the VGA, and use a dual or quad PCI NIC ?@mtsgsd said in Am I missing something here? Shuttle XPC no graphics, no serial port:
Even a normal router is able to be installed over the network
Normal routers don't have a screen chip, no VGA or HDMI plug. It's 'serial only.
And by default, as always, for security, all interfaces are unmounted or unassigned so not operational. So an initial power on does not permit you to use the 'network'.
Note : some dedicated NIC might exist for 'admin purposes only'. This one won't route at all.That why you use the most important interface : the serial or console access first.
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@gertjan Thanks for the quick reply. Ok, so maybe I'm missing something here. The serial interface instructions stress that it has to be a com port, which this PC does not have. I had hoped to configure it using the vga access first, and then continuing from there without the monitor.
After setting it up, I moved the PFSense machine to a switch on my existing router, and was able to login, so I was hoping to continue from there, but it doesn't seem to boot without a graphics interface connected.
So it sounds like this needs some form of console configured at all times, it has to be installed with one or the other exclusively, and some functions are only available from that console. Does that sound right?
I wanted to avoid installing this as a VM on my Unraid server as I'd rather have this as a separate box.
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@mtsgsd said in Am I missing something here? Shuttle XPC no graphics, no serial port:
The serial interface instructions stress that it has to be a com port, which this PC does not have.
Ah .... the device isn't meant to be a router then ^^
@mtsgsd said in Am I missing something here? Shuttle XPC no graphics, no serial port:
So it sounds like this needs some form of console configured at all times
Like any other device - even my coffee machine has such a connection.
Ethernet/Internet related devices have always such a devis. Your PC has still the "JTAG" tracks on it's PCB , very usefull when you failed your BIOS reflash and it can't boot anymore.@mtsgsd said in Am I missing something here? Shuttle XPC no graphics, no serial port:
it has to be installed with one or the other exclusively
Or both.
@mtsgsd said in Am I missing something here? Shuttle XPC no graphics, no serial port:
and some functions are only available from that console. Does that sound right?
hummm. Now it starts to look like you never installed a router / firewall before ?
May I propose https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/ ?
When you first install and start pfSense, the OS installed can not auto assign the interfaces it finds during the first boot.
You have to do that - ones. Manually.
With an access that can't be one of those interfaces - as they are not initialized yet.
So, SSH wouldn't work the first time.
You'll be needing a screen (VGA) or RS232 comparable interface.That's why Netgate's device have a mini USB connector that emulates a RS232.
@mtsgsd said in Am I missing something here? Shuttle XPC no graphics, no serial port:
rather have this as a separate box.
Any 'old desktop PC' or something with a VGA chip set will do.
And because it's a router, many PCI slots are needed to add many NIC is a must. As this is a router.
As said above, gp Amazone, and find yourself a good Intel based NIC (no Realtek) and you'll be fine.Or, do what's best :https://shop.netgate.com/collections/security-gateways
@mtsgsd said in Am I missing something here? Shuttle XPC no graphics, no serial port:
some form of console configured at all times
The console access is also important afterwards.
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@mtsgsd said in Am I missing something here? Shuttle XPC no graphics, no serial port:
only two pcie slots in this I5 shuttle
So which Shuttle XPC computer do you actually have. My brief look suggested most have lots of connectivity options. http://global.shuttle.com/products/productsList?categoryId=105
