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    Custom changes at web UI locally for testing

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    • B
      Benbenbenebeneb
      last edited by

      Hi, I have a thesis where I have to implement a new tab at pfsenses web UI, which by clinking it will open a different page(like the other tabs). Inside the page I have to add some functionalities locally, without committing it at github.
      The problem is that for 2 weeks now, I can't setup any IDE or anything, to have an immediate visual representation of my changes to pfsense's web interface.
      For example, I want to have pfsense's web interface in a browser, so when I do make changes to pfsense's code and reload the page, my changes are visible immediately. I don't know what to do. I've read netgate's documentations but I can't find this specific thing anywhere. If someone can help me step by step or with a call or something will help a l o t.

      Have a great day.

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      • jimpJ
        jimp Rebel Alliance Developer Netgate
        last edited by

        That isn't really a topic that would be covered in the docs, it's up to how each developer chooses to handle it and there are several techniques which are viable.

        Personally, I use an editor that can load and save files over scp/sftp. With ssh enabled on the firewall and using the root account+admin password, I can make edits to files on the firewall directly and work that way. Options for this vary by OS, but it's a common feature these days.

        I know others make local changes to their own repository and then copy the files to the firewall with scp/filezilla/rsync or similar setups. That is a bit more work for each edit, but still viable.

        For simple changes you can even use the editor in the firewall GUI at Diagnostics > Edit File. Though I would caution against using that to edit backend code, GUI page edits should be OK.

        It can be even more cumbersome, but editing at the ssh or serial/video console shell using vi or ee also works.

        Remember: Upvote with the 👍 button for any user/post you find to be helpful, informative, or deserving of recognition!

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        • jimpJ jimp moved this topic from General pfSense Questions on
        • B
          Benbenbenebeneb @jimp
          last edited by

          @jimp Thank you for replying. So, while pfsense is up, you directly manipulate it's files for the 'real-time visualization' part. Is it possible to make this connection through a VM? And if so, I should handle the VM with pfsense software as a router and add files there, right?

          jimpJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • jimpJ
            jimp Rebel Alliance Developer Netgate @Benbenbenebeneb
            last edited by

            @benbenbenebeneb said in Custom changes at web UI locally for testing:

            @jimp Thank you for replying. So, while pfsense is up, you directly manipulate it's files for the 'real-time visualization' part.

            Yes.

            Is it possible to make this connection through a VM? And if so, I should handle the VM with pfsense software as a router and add files there, right?

            VMs work fine, same as a physical system would. How you arrange all that is entirely up to you. In a lab development environment it's generally safe to allow access through the WAN of a lab system and reach it that way, or you could setup a development system on the LAN side of the lab system and do it that way.

            As long as you're doing this on an isolated lab/testing environment and not on a system directly exposed to an Internet connection with public addresses then it's not terribly important how you restrict the access.

            Remember: Upvote with the 👍 button for any user/post you find to be helpful, informative, or deserving of recognition!

            Need help fast? Netgate Global Support!

            Do not Chat/PM for help!

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            • B
              Benbenbenebeneb @jimp
              last edited by

              @jimp Thank you so much for helping out. I'll try those methods and get back to you, the following hours, when I manage to implement them.

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              • B
                Benbenbenebeneb @jimp
                last edited by

                @jimp Hi again I tried the Filezilla method but couldn't connect to it. I took the following steps to make the ssh connection (not in particular order): Gave admin user the Authorized SSH Key of my PC, enabled secure shell with public key only, through WAN rules added a pass action with "any" as a source and from pfsense's terminal enabled secure shell. Still when I put my credentials and IP correct, prints the following:
                (IP of pfsense VM: 192.168.1.1 and Port: 5555)

                Status: Connecting to 192.168.1.1:5555...
                Status: Connection established, waiting for welcome message...
                Error: Connection timed out after 20 seconds of inactivity
                Error: Could not connect to server

                Is anything I've done wrong?

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