PfSense on re-purposed Firebox or other like hardware w/ Gigabit
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Looking to get into pfSense at home and was reading a lot of stuff regarding re-purposed hardware, specifically the Firebox's, which I think is a handsome idea. Now, I've made the decision I'd like everything on my home network to be hardwired gigabit, which leaves me fewer choices in this regard to re-purposed hardware, seeing not all of Watchguard's equipment came with gigabit NICs. It looks like only some of the Core & Peak series come with gigabit outputs (x6000, x8000, x750e, x1250e, any else I'm missing?). I've read pfSense is more compatible with Intel NICs as opposed to Realtek. I think I've read somewhere that the Peak boxes have Intel and Core boxes have Realtek, is that (some what) true?
So my question is: which model would be the most ideal in regards to ease of installation of pfSense, and compatible gigabit outputs (Intel)?
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Only the X-Peak (X5000, X6000 and X8000) has Intel NICs. It has 3 Gigabit and 6 10/100, all Intel.
The newer X-E boxes have 8 Gigabit NICs (except the X550e which has 4) but they are Marvel. They are supported by pfSense. Some boxes had 4 fibre NICs but I have no information on those.
The X-peak is easiest to setup. The X-e boxes require a bios change but it is well documented.
Steve
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Only the X-Peak (X5000, X6000 and X8000) has Intel NICs. It has 3 Gigabit and 6 10/100, all Intel.
The newer X-E boxes have 8 Gigabit NICs (except the X550e which has 4) but they are Marvel. They are supported by pfSense. Some boxes had 4 fibre NICs but I have no information on those.
The X-peak is easiest to setup. The X-e boxes require a bios change but it is well documented.
Steve
Thanks, Steve! It looks like I should be looking for one of the X-Peak models, but they seem to be fairly difficult to find on ebay, are there any other reliable sources? There seems to be a greater number of the X-E models. There seems to be a relatively wide range of prices for both the X-Peak and X-E models, though. What gives?
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Well when you originally paid £10,000 for a piece of equipment it's hard to put it on Ebay for £50. ;)
The X-E boxes are still supported by Watchguard so may still have valid software etc making them more valuable.
Steve
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The Fireboxes still suffer from watchdog timeouts due to the Realtek nics, correct?
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It's hard to say for certain.
What can be said is that only the X-Core (x500, x700, x1000) models have Realtek NICs and that many people are using them without any problems with a current snapshot.
It seems to be largely dependent on what equipment you have connected to them and how much tarffic you're trying to push. I don't have access to one at the moment.Steve
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Looking more like I'll be getting an X-Core-E box, but I may have a problem. Looking through the X550e Thread, this post:
http://forum.pfsense.org/index.php/topic,20095.msg190456.html#msg190456
states I'll be needing a null modem cable to get through the bios work around. What would be the best solution if I didn't have a computer with a serial port? Would this TrendNet serial to USB adapter work:
http://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-Serial-Converter-TU-S9-Blue/dp/B0007T27H8/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
Also, going through the serial port, would I still need to set up the keyboard on the firebox unit, or would I be making any alterations through the terminal program?
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I never had any issues with time outs on my x-500 (all realtec nics). The only reason I replaced it with a x-6000 was the performance improvement. I have unique requirements for my home networks and the use of VPN's for business and personal reasons.
RC -
You can use a USB to serial converter for console access.
You don't need a keyboard attached to the firebox, everything is done via a terminal program.Steve
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HI gaping46and2
Just a bit of info 2 u, i just got my x550e up and running yesterday with a 512mb cf card and th 2.0 rc3 img and did not have to do anything in the bios. And i added the expansion card from a dead x1250e to it and all runs fine now.
Wish you the best with pfsense and watchguard, it is a good combo, have been running x700 with 1.2.3 on cf now for as long as i can remember and have not had any problems.
It is just power up, config and forget (Almost, needs updating some times) ;D ;D
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HI gaping46and2
Just a bit of info 2 u, i just got my x550e up and running yesterday with a 512mb cf card and th 2.0 rc3 img and did not have to do anything in the bios. And i added the expansion card from a dead x1250e to it and all runs fine now.
Wish you the best with pfsense and watchguard, it is a good combo, have been running x700 with 1.2.3 on cf now for as long as i can remember and have not had any problems.
It is just power up, config and forget (Almost, needs updating some times) ;D ;D
I should be getting my x750e in sometime today. I've got a 4gb CF card w/ 2.0 rc3 already installed and steve's bios image installed on a 64mb card, and that serial to usb cable I linked to up above. So, I think I should be good to go and be up and running pfsense this evening.
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I think you are as ready as you can be ;D
Now of to finaly let my old x500 take a break and let my new x550e take over(Network heart transplant starting)
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Not ready enough, apparently. I just realized the USB to Serial adapter I have is a male serial connection. Hopefully Micro Center or Fry's has a Female to Female adapter that I can pick up tomorrow during lunch.
On another note, apparently the box I got was supposed to already had pfsense installed onto a 4gb CF card, but it doesn't seem to be booting properly. It passes the memory test and gets to the Booting OS… dialog on the front LCD, then a few seconds later the 4,5,6,7 LEDs flash in sequence followed by 0,1,2,3. After that, it doesn't seem to do anything else. I can see the Storage LED on the front lights up during the boot process, but after the link LEDs blink in sequence, nothing happens. Any ideas?
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It passes the memory test and gets to the Booting OS… dialog on the front LCD, then a few seconds later the 4,5,6,7 LEDs flash in sequence followed by 0,1,2,3. After that, it doesn't seem to do anything else. I can see the Storage LED on the front lights up during the boot process, but after the link LEDs blink in sequence, nothing happens. Any ideas?
Do you have a pcie graphics card ?? If so i would recommend hocking it up and have a proper look at at the bootup and see on what and where it hangs/crashes
