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    How to migrate from pfsense+ to CE

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Problems Installing or Upgrading pfSense Software
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    • wgstarksW
      wgstarks
      last edited by

      Yes. I got that notification. Also got a notification that I will no longer be able to use the plus branch and will need to migrate to CE. I’m just trying to figure out how.🤨

      I was thinking about purchasing a 2100 to replace my almost new 3100 but not if I’ll also have to pay a monthly charge for software updates.

      Box: SG-4200

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      • wgstarksW
        wgstarks @bmeeks
        last edited by

        @bmeeks

        @bmeeks said in How to migrate from pfsense+ to CE:
        importing the SG-3100 config will require some manual intervention because of the internal SOC and associated Marvell switch contained in the SG-3100 that will not be present in any whitebox hardware).

        I’m not quite sure what this means. Are you saying I’ll need to edit the backup file?

        Box: SG-4200

        stephenw10S bmeeksB 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • stephenw10S
          stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
          last edited by

          You wouldn't. Netgate appliances always have access to Plus no subscription required.

          Steve

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          • stephenw10S
            stephenw10 Netgate Administrator @wgstarks
            last edited by

            @wgstarks said in How to migrate from pfsense+ to CE:

            Are you saying I’ll need to edit the backup file?

            Potentially you might, it depends what your config is. We can migrate your config to the new hardware for you though.

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            • bmeeksB
              bmeeks @wgstarks
              last edited by bmeeks

              @wgstarks said in How to migrate from pfsense+ to CE:

              I’m not quite sure what this means. Are you saying I’ll need to edit the backup file?

              My point in mentioning a backup from the SG-3100 was because I was not sure of your situation. Your actual post did not mention what type of hardware you have. I only noticed "SG-3100" in your signature and was not sure if that was current or not.

              To clarify:

              1. There is no CE version for the SG-3100 nor any other ARM-based hardware. CE is only produced for Intel/AMD platforms. You will never be able to install CE on the SG-3100 (or an SG-1000 if you had one of those).
              2. So long as you purchase a Netgate appliance, you will automatically receive a supported version of Plus for that appliance without additional charges (as I understand the terms). The one exception here going forward is the SG-3100 due to its 32-bit CPU and the pulling of support for 32-bit ARM CPUs from upstream FreeBSD. Future support for the SG-3100 is going to be limited, and at some point non-existent.
              3. The SG-3100 runs a custom Netgate image that includes support for its internal Marvell switch. Several of the ports on the SG-3100 are actually Ethernet switch ports exposed from an internal switch. VLANs are used to create "separate" interfaces. This special switch configuration info is stored in the config.xml file (which is the "backup" you are talking about).
              4. So, if you were to attempt to restore a configuration from an SG-3100 to a generic whitebox piece of hardware running pfSense CE, then I believe some hand-editing of the config.xml file would be required before import into the new CE box to account for interface name changes and to migrate the Marvell switch VLAN information.

              I see that @stephenw10 also responded to your question about migrating your existing config to new hardware. If you were to purchase an SG-2100 as you mentioned, then Netgate would assist you with the migration of your SG-3100 config AND you would continue to have a valid pfSense Plus license that you would not pay extra for (unless you specifically wanted a higher level of paid support).

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
              • wgstarksW
                wgstarks
                last edited by

                Thanks. The blog post that Netgate released earlier today was rather vague but I’m pretty sure it said that all users of pfsense+ would have to migrate to CE or purchase a support agreement. I probably misinterpreted that.

                So, just to be sure, if I proceed with my plan to purchase a 2100 as a replacement for my current 3100 then Netgate support can migrate my configuration?

                Box: SG-4200

                stephenw10S bmeeksB 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • stephenw10S
                  stephenw10 Netgate Administrator @wgstarks
                  last edited by

                  @wgstarks said in How to migrate from pfsense+ to CE:

                  if I proceed with my plan to purchase a 2100 as a replacement for my current 3100 then Netgate support can migrate my configuration?

                  Yes.

                  wgstarksW 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • wgstarksW
                    wgstarks @stephenw10
                    last edited by

                    @stephenw10
                    How would I initiate that migration?

                    Box: SG-4200

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                    • stephenw10S
                      stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                      last edited by

                      Just open a ticket with us: https://www.netgate.com/tac-support-request

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                      • bmeeksB
                        bmeeks @wgstarks
                        last edited by bmeeks

                        @wgstarks said in How to migrate from pfsense+ to CE:

                        The blog post that Netgate released earlier today was rather vague but I’m pretty sure it said that all users of pfsense+ would have to migrate to CE or purchase a support agreement.

                        Specifically what the blog post is referring to are former pfSense CE users who wanted to "upgrade" to pfSense Plus but continue to run it on whitebox or generic hardware. Starting in February of 2022 Netgate offered that upgrade path for free as a Home or Lab license option. That free upgrade to Plus is now no longer available and you must pay to have Plus on generic (meaning non-Netgate) hardware going forward. But when you purchase Netgate hardware, Plus is automatically included as you "paid for it" in your hardware purchase.

                        The blog post was never meant to apply to users who bought Netgate hardware and have Plus that way. Plus on Netgate hardware is unaffected. The license change from "free" to "paid" only applies to those Plus users that wanted a copy of Plus to run on non-Netgate generic hardware.

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                        • KOMK
                          KOM
                          last edited by

                          How to Convert From pfsense plus 23.05 to pfsense CE 2.7

                          wgstarksW 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                          • wgstarksW
                            wgstarks @KOM
                            last edited by

                            @KOM said in How to migrate from pfsense+ to CE:

                            How to Convert From pfsense plus 23.05 to pfsense CE 2.7

                            Thanks.

                            Box: SG-4200

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