Will future versions of CE be online installer only?

[Patch]

This site appear OK to me https://www.pfsense.org/download/

However the snap shots page appears to go off line whenever a pfsense plus release occurs

Edit
Oops
Online installer only. That's a problem when reinstalling software on a broken router as by definition the router will not be functioning at that time. In the past I have always maintained a local install image for this scenario.

[SteveITS]

@Patch From the docs the installer gets configured and connects out. Boot the router off the installer USB. One needs the installer image, but one would need the firmware anyway.

[chrcoluk]

Seems according to reddit posts, there isn't even PPPoE support on this online installer, my ISP also requires VLAN to be configured on WAN interface as well, so any installation process is going to be made more complicated for me, for now this link seems valid for the offline installer, which I hope is ok to post, as a Netgate rep supplied it on reddit.

https://atxfiles.netgate.com/mirror/downloads/

[SteveITS]

@chrcoluk I mean it does say at this time so maybe they will add it during the beta period.

[chrcoluk]

@SteveITS said in Will future versions of CE be online installer only?:

@chrcoluk I mean it does say at this time so maybe they will add it during the beta period.

I hope so.

[elvisimprsntr]

I Just downloaded the AMD64 memstick installer. It is net only (no offline) and does not give me the option to install CE on a Protectli FW4C that never had homelab or a TAC license that I am aware of (purchased used off evilBay)

[patient0]

@elvisimprsntr according the the blog post a while back (https://www.netgate.com/blog/public-beta-of-new-installer-for-pfsense-software) the installer only supports Netgate devices during beta:

However, the Netgate installer will only support Netgate appliances during the public beta.

Maybe that changed by now but your screenshots seems to indicate not.

[elvisimprsntr]

@patient0

Doesn't seem like it's in beta anymore and the installer supports AMD64 devices. The web site only allows you to download the net installer.
Why don't you try it for yourself rather than speculating?

[SteveITS]

@elvisimprsntr you should get to here:
https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/install/netinstaller.html#ineligible-device-prompt

[elvisimprsntr]

@SteveITS said in Will future versions of CE be online installer only?:

you should get to here:
https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/install/netinstaller.html#ineligible-device-prompt

"Should" is the key word. It never presented the option to install CE. Even if the device previously had a homelab or TAC license, the net installer should provide the option to install CE. Maybe that is part of the Netgate strategy to let CE die a slow death.

I tried both the memstick USB and ISO

[SteveITS]

@elvisimprsntr I tried to edit my post right away but couldn’t connect.

If it doesn’t show the above, not sure what to say. Someone posted yesterday they downloaded a “24.02” beta version and were confused about that being pfSense vs the installer. I haven’t tried myself. Maybe a bug?

Does System Update show you have a valid license?

I suppose you could ask Netgate to look up the NDI.

[elvisimprsntr]

@SteveITS said in Will future versions of CE be online installer only?:

Does System Update show you have a valid license?

System Update does not show anything. Maybe we should all keep quiet and hope Netgate never figures it out.

[snigy]

had to contact support to get the offline version, its doubble the size.
https://prnt.sc/-CHbrhEvewTf

[stephenw10]

For reference, legacy CE installer images are still available if you need that.

[videoman]

@stephenw10 I guess this cements the death of PFSense CE for me now. I guess it's off to OPNSense for whatever I build next. To bad as I would have gladly paid for basic support - but they got rid of that program too years ago.