New pfSense install "Network Interface Mismatch" on ASRock NUC-N97

[procrastrjf]

I'm trying to install pfSense on an ASRock NUC-N97-1U (UEFI v. 1.01)
CPU: Intel Processor N97
RAM: Acer SD100 8GB 260-Pin DDR4 SO-DIMM DDR4 2666
Storage: Intel 670p Series M.2 2280 512GB PCIe NVMe 3.0
WiFi: Mediatek MT7921K WiFi module

I've tried booting with pfSense-CE-memstick-2.6.0-RELEASE-amd64.img.gz and pfSense-CE-memstick-2.7.0-RELEASE-amd64.img.gz from here but both produce the same problem where pfSense doesn't find an interface, or NIC.

I'm new to this, so any information is appreciated.

[w0w]

@procrastrjf
I’m afraid installation on this device will be non-trivial.
It’s not detected because the onboard network cards are a newer Realtek 2.5 GbE model that requires its own driver. As far as I remember, that driver needs to be installed manually, and every system update can lead to the same situation you have now, since the new Realtek drivers are not included in the pfSense distribution.

The solution would be to connect a compatible USB network adapter, configure the network, and then install the Realtek driver.

Or... Just use Proxmox and install pfsense virtualized.