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    Transfer sw configuration to an hw appliance

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved General pfSense Questions
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    • B Offline
      byGiuse
      last edited by

      Dear all,

      I've recently joined in to new IT department:
      in this new role I've to manage the local It infrastructure that includes a PFSense Firewall..

      I've never worked with this type of Firewall, i'm trying to read all the documents, but i've a doubt.

      At the moment we have a Pfsense ver. 2.4.5 installed on a Server Tower with 2 physical interfaces, with no redundancy.. in case of HW fault I've not a re-start procedure..

      In order to have a backup solution, do you think it's possible to transfer the xml backup file from the Server installation to a dedicated netgate hardware appliance?

      I could buy an HW appliance as backup solution keeping the configuration aligned.. Is it could be a solution?

      Can I transfer the file configuration from the software appliance to the hardware appliance?
      Are they compatible?

      Thanks for your support!!

      JKnottJ S stephenw10S 3 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • JKnottJ Offline
        JKnott @byGiuse
        last edited by

        @bygiuse

        While not quite the same situation, I have transfered the XML file to another computer. I had previously run pfsense on an old HP computer, which died a while ago. I replaced it with the Qotom computer described in my sig. I just had to touch up the interface names, to reflect the new hardware, but that was about it.

        PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
        i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
        UniFi AC-Lite access point

        I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

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        • S Offline
          SteveITS Rebel Alliance @byGiuse
          last edited by

          @bygiuse I've also restored to similar hardware. I am 99% sure the answer is that going to a Netgate appliance will be fine. I think the issue is from one appliance with a switch, to another appliance with a switch, and Netgate will help adjust the config for that per other forum posts. See this doc.

          Otherwise some other options for you are:

          • any old PC with two NICs
          • two pfSense computers or appliances in an HA configuration

          Using a "server" is probably overkill for what pfSense needs, for hardware.

          Note for HA the NICs have to be the same for state syncing to work. But, HA allows for things like updating the pfSense software during business hours (update the backup, put the primary in maintenance mode, update the primary, undo maintenance mode).

          Only install packages for your version, or risk breaking it. Select your branch in System/Update/Update Settings.
          When upgrading, allow 10-15 minutes to reboot, or more depending on packages, and device or disk speed.
          Upvote 👍 helpful posts!

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          • stephenw10S Offline
            stephenw10 Netgate Administrator @byGiuse
            last edited by

            @bygiuse said in Transfer sw configuration to an hw appliance:

            do you think it's possible to transfer the xml backup file from the Server installation to a dedicated netgate hardware appliance?

            Yes.

            Depending on the appliance you may need some modification but we can help with that.
            Most config imports only require re-assigning the interfaces though.

            Steve

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