Watchguard XTM 5 Series

PowerToTheUsers

@PowerToTheUsers:

I'm installing my recently purchased XTM 510 as well. For now I have flashed a CF-card with pfSense 2.2.4, put it in the box and it worked flawless.

Uhmm… just to (me) be sure. You just copied image to CF ... booted from it ... and run installer I guess? and pF got installed on CF itself, right?

Rather flashing than just copying, I used Win32 Disk Imager. It's like burning an ISO-file to a DVD: if you just copy over the .iso (or in this case .img)-file it won't work.

@PowerToTheUsers:

Configuring seems to be a slow process, but I read in this thread it might be due to the slow writing to CF.

I can't tell you anything about performance yet…

I read about cf-performance issues too. have you tried to add "extra" HDD? so pF mount it during boot??

Thanks for you reply, I appreciate it.
xTiNcTion

No, and I don't think I will: the initial configuration will take some time (adding networks, NAT, firewall rules,…), but afterwards there won't be much changes. I don't use it as a proxy either, so I don't think I need a HDD.

mcmellenhead

burnt 2.2.4 image to the stock 1gb cf card in my xtm5. Trying to update the bios so I can use an old HDD. I have installed PKG, but there is not enough room to install flashrom and all its dependencies. Is everyone using a larger CF card than 1gb to accomplish this?

chpalmer

@mcmellenhead:

burnt 2.2.4 image to the stock 1gb cf card in my xtm5. Trying to update the bios so I can use an old HDD. I have installed PKG, but there is not enough room to install flashrom and all its dependencies. Is everyone using a larger CF card than 1gb to accomplish this?

Ive always used 4gig card myself so can't answer.

Cortex

Can someone guide me, in the what kind of memory I should buy to upgrade?
I can see, that it is DDR2 800, but i don't know the number of pins.

I just bought an XTM 5, but it was very unstable and slow. I loaded the image (4gb 2.2.4 64 bit) on a kingston 4 Gb card.

I boots up slow, the interface is very slow, and when changing settings, it hangs for more than one minute.
Now I'll try the 32 bit image, and a different card. I will also try changing the memory.
I bought it used on ebay, assumeably working, but I can't be sure of course.

My firebox x500 works fine.

regards

Cortex

The stability issue seems to be caused by the flash card. When using a 4 GB Sandisk extreme IV card it worked much better, even even faster when I used the Sandisk Ultra 8 Gig.

Actually I think i recall other people discussing an issue with the flash cards, specifically using a larger one.

Still didn't find out the pin number. Guess I will have to count them :)

tozx

thanks for your post. since last year, out watchguard xtm 505 is working under pfsense (embedded on CF), but we need a proxy server, so I decided to flash bios, install on hdd.
flashing bios needs enabling pkg, and pkg install comand. after that, clearing CMOS to change settings in BIOS. and, finally, it won't boot from USB stick, so I use another PC to install pfsense on HDD. after first reboot, I detached the HDD, plug into WG, pull out CF-card, and it's works like a charm. Thank you!
Now i have full (not embedded) PFsense booting and running from HDD, much of free space on disk.

spiro2k6

Just Ordered an xtm5 NC2AE8 and a l5440 with an lga771/775 sticker as I've seen that people have ran l5420 just fine.
Currently running an e750x and am pushing the limits on what a single core pentium m can run with 500 down 200 split between 3 wans so i'm excited to get this up and running

jsova

i'm attempting to install a HD into my xtm 510 in order to boot off it so I can run full pfsense as I want squid so I can run squidguard. I have installed the HD(have tried with a 256SSD and a 1TB platter) into an old laptop installed the pfsense using the memory stick with serial option. Once the install finishes I select the embedded kernel no VGA serial, I power off the machine once it goes into the reboot take the drive and install it in the xtm removing the CF card. the system boots and I see the BIOS screen over the console and it detects the drive but after detecting the drive it just reboots and keeps doing this in a loop. do I have to flash the BIOS in order to make this work?

jsova

@jsova:

i'm attempting to install a HD into my xtm 510 in order to boot off it so I can run full pfsense as I want squid so I can run squidguard. I have installed the HD(have tried with a 256SSD and a 1TB platter) into an old laptop installed the pfsense using the memory stick with serial option. Once the install finishes I select the embedded kernel no VGA serial, I power off the machine once it goes into the reboot take the drive and install it in the xtm removing the CF card. the system boots and I see the BIOS screen over the console and it detects the drive but after detecting the drive it just reboots and keeps doing this in a loop. do I have to flash the BIOS in order to make this work?

I have successfully flashed the BIOS and cleared the CMOS. I was about to boot off the USB and go through the install without issue over the serial connection and selected the Embedded kernal. Same issue when I boot, even when I hit F11 and manually select the HD to boot from the machine beeps and then reboots. anybody know what I'm missing?

uknownme123

@jsova:

i'm attempting to install a HD into my xtm 510 in order to boot off it so I can run full pfsense as I want squid so I can run squidguard. I have installed the HD(have tried with a 256SSD and a 1TB platter) into an old laptop installed the pfsense using the memory stick with serial option. Once the install finishes I select the embedded kernel no VGA serial, I power off the machine once it goes into the reboot take the drive and install it in the xtm removing the CF card. the system boots and I see the BIOS screen over the console and it detects the drive but after detecting the drive it just reboots and keeps doing this in a loop. do I have to flash the BIOS in order to make this work?

First, Trying switch to IDE or AHCI or Compatible mode for SATA. Which ever one you are on switch to the other. This has worked for me in the past. Also, There is a option in bios to detect PATA before SATA. Make sure your SATAs are first than PATA.

If you try the above and still have issues. You should try reinstall and at the below screen, choose Custom Install. Once you choose customer install, just accept all the defaults choices pfSense offers.

Choose one of the following tasks to perform.

< Quick/Easy Install>
< Custom Install >
< Rescue config.xml >
< Reboot >
< Exit >

I had system lockups after install, and choosing "Customer Install" with default choices worked.

Don't ask me why and how these work, I discovered them on trial & error.

Cortex

Can some one telle me the number of pinbs on the RAM module. I have been googleing like crazy and, I can't find the answer.

murzik

RAM is DDR2-800 (PC2-6400) low density.

educatedwarrior

Hey Cortex. The number of pins should be 240. I just upgraded to 2x 2GB DDR2 PC2-5300 Low density at 667 Mhz. I believe the board supports dual channel and maxes out at a bus sped of 1333 Mhz, so dual channel 667 Mhz should be enough to support maximum bandwidth I believe. Make sure you get Unbuffered Non-ECC memory.

educatedwarrior

Could someone please give me some tips on how to remove the old cpu and upgrade to a new cpu.

I got my new cpu for the XTM 5 in the mail (Xeon X3370) and I was really excited until I took the heat sink of the old cpu.

The old cpu was seemed to be stuck to the motherboard and I didn't know how to properly move it. Also, didn't look there was a 775 socket or any type of socket.

educatedwarrior

Nevermind - these are good instructions I found for modifying device in general .. http://www.watchguard.com/docs/corporate/wg_xtm5De-MFR_instructions.pdf

AlexJamesHaines

Hi all, so having read, re-read and double-checked everything on this forum post I am now the proud owner of a standard XTM 510. The front panel is busted (seems a common complaint) but the whole thing seems to be working.

I have ordered an E8600 (http://ark.intel.com/products/35605/Intel-Core2-Duo-Processor-E8600-6M-Cache-3_33-GHz-1333-MHz-FSB) for just shy of £18 and have dumped in 2 x 2GB sticks of 800MHz DDR2 full height RAM that I had on the shelf. There is absolutely no way I am paying the asking price for 2 x 4GB sticks of low density memory. I am also going to be using a 120GB Samsung SSD 850 EVO from the shelf and have ordered what I hope will work as a bracket converter for those four mounting screws behind the LCD panel.

This does present me with a problem though as I fear for the safety of the height of the RAM sticks. I propose putting a bit of electricians tape on the casing where the RAM looks as though it could come into contact if the casing is slightly pressed. Ideas?

Following everything in this forum post I will hopefully be flashing the modded BIOS and installing the latest 64 bit version of the standard installer and removing the CF card. Roll on Wednesday :D

Scorch95

@AlexJamesHaines:

Hi all, so having read, re-read and double-checked everything on this forum post I am now the proud owner of a standard XTM 510. The front panel is busted (seems a common complaint) but the whole thing seems to be working.

I have ordered an E8600 (http://ark.intel.com/products/35605/Intel-Core2-Duo-Processor-E8600-6M-Cache-3_33-GHz-1333-MHz-FSB) for just shy of £18 and have dumped in 2 x 2GB sticks of 800MHz DDR2 full height RAM that I had on the shelf. There is absolutely no way I am paying the asking price for 2 x 4GB sticks of low density memory. I am also going to be using a 120GB Samsung SSD 850 EVO from the shelf and have ordered what I hope will work as a bracket converter for those four mounting screws behind the LCD panel.

This does present me with a problem though as I fear for the safety of the height of the RAM sticks. I propose putting a bit of electricians tape on the casing where the RAM looks as though it could come into contact if the casing is slightly pressed. Ideas?

Following everything in this forum post I will hopefully be flashing the modded BIOS and installing the latest 64 bit version of the standard installer and removing the CF card. Roll on Wednesday :D

Let us know how it goes. I just got an XTM off eBay a week ago and am trying to get all my parts to get it going. Picked up a q9550s and will need to track some ddr2 down. I have a couple wd 320GB black drives (laptop) that I think I will stick one inside for the install and remove CF card. Unless anybody believes these may produce to much heat for the case.

Scorch95

Well got the new processor installed and the hdd added in along with removing the CF. it booted up and installed just fine. Next step is to move it from the kitchen table to the office and connecting it online for packages before doing some testing. Still waiting on ram but so far so good.

JuSt Floppy

Hi,

I saw that many people change the celeron 440 to a higher one with more cores. The Celeron have only TDP 35W but all other cpu's have more TDP. Is there no problem with heat? Witch CPU is the best one to pimp that boxes? Specialy XTM 510?

thx

chpalmer

@JuSt:

Hi,

I saw that many people change the celeron 440 to a higher one with more cores. The Celeron have only TDP 35W but all other cpu's have more TDP. Is there no problem with heat? Witch CPU is the best one to pimp that boxes? Specialy XTM 510?

thx

There truly is noting wrong with staying with the Celeron chip. Some of us are just hotrodders at heart. ;D

Im running a Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q9650 in a room without AC. It does hover around 55c on the hot days. (Were getting AC this year.) But the fans do adjust to keep up. Right now its at 46c and the room is 70'.