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Worrying problem: Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '}'

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  • N
    nippertje
    last edited by Jul 7, 2010, 8:08 AM

    Hi All,

    We had a production pfsense box running 1.2.3 go down last night. We lost all comms to the box and when we got to our datacentre it was displaying the following message whenever we tried to do anything from console menu:

    Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '}' in  /etc/inc/pfsense-utils.inc line 560

    We quickly swapped the box out with a 'cold spare' and loaded config from backup. Following this we copied the pfsense-utils.inc from the working box to the failed one and, lo, it was back in business again.

    The box that failed has been deployed for getting on for two years. About four months ago we moved datacentres and upgraded it to 1.2.3 and implemented a new dual-WAN (WAN = NAT'd interface with a /28 and OPT = Bridged interface to a VLAN'd interface with devices on public IPs) and only minor nat and rule config changes had been made in the previous week.

    The hardware is 1u rack chassis with Jetway Mini-ITX board and 3x LAN daughterboard. 1Gb RAM and Transcend IDE 8Gb Flash Module.

    We are running on the spare unit at the moment and are looking for help to understand what may have caused this failure, steps to debug it and measures to prevent it happening again.

    All advice greatly welcome!

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    • S
      scoop
      last edited by Jul 7, 2010, 9:48 AM

      First thing that comes to my mind is that the 8G flash module is starting to wear and the file became corrupt. What type of install are you running on it and what type of flash module is it?

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      • N
        nippertje
        last edited by Jul 7, 2010, 10:11 AM

        Its the full install.
        The IDE module is one of these: http://www.transcendusa.com/products/ModDetail.asp?ModNo=26
        Our spare box uses a SATA drive. I thought flash would be more reliable.

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        • S
          scoop
          last edited by Jul 7, 2010, 11:20 AM

          The full install can be very write intensive, depending on what you run on it. It also creates a 512MB swap partition which might or might not be used. And the IDE flash module only has 2 years warranty and it has limited write cycles. Although it differs much from one module to another (if it has wear leveling etc.) this is my experience which made me switch to embedded installations on these type of modules. YMMV of course.

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          • N
            nippertje
            last edited by Jul 7, 2010, 12:07 PM

            cool. thanks for the advice. might switch back to sata for now and look at ssd as the price comes down.

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