Netgate Discussion Forum
    • Categories
    • Recent
    • Tags
    • Popular
    • Users
    • Search
    • Register
    • Login

    Install pfsense on pxe

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Problems Installing or Upgrading pfSense Software
    10 Posts 2 Posters 10.1k Views
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • M
      mikysal78
      last edited by

      Hi,
      my hardware is without cd-rom and usb is disabled in bios (old bios).
      I've start the install over pxe with dhcp-server, tftp and nfs.
      The installation fails to start bat disable the ethernet card….hangs and doesn't go.
      in attachment is my block.

      How can i go on installation?

      Thanks.
      pxe-pfsense.jpg
      pxe-pfsense.jpg_thumb

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • stephenw10S
        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
        last edited by

        There is this: http://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/Installing_pfSense#PXE
        The easiest way to do this is to remove the hard drive and connect it to something that does have a CD-Rom drive. Install pfSense then move it back.

        Steve

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • M
          mikysal78
          last edited by

          @stephenw10:

          There is this: http://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/Installing_pfSense#PXE

          Try now with Sysresccd

          @stephenw10:

          The easiest way to do this is to remove the hard drive and connect it to something that does have a CD-Rom drive. Install pfSense then move it back.

          I tried, does not work. I get an error reading the disk when I connect it to the hardware without cd-rom

          But is there a way to don't disconnet the network during initial installatio?
          I lose connetion with the TFTP Server and no longer able to continue….this is problem.

          Thank Steve.
          bye
          Michele

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • stephenw10S
            stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
            last edited by

            I would expect it to fail at the mountroot> prompt because the HD is connected via a different IDE channel. That's normal and easy to get past. Type ? at the prompt to see what IDE devices are detected. Post here if it's not obvious.

            Steve

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • M
              mikysal78
              last edited by

              @stephenw10:

              I would expect it to fail at the mountroot> prompt because the HD is connected via a different IDE channel. That's normal and easy to get past. Type ? at the prompt to see what IDE devices are detected. Post here if it's not obvious.

              Steve

              Hi Steve,
              And 'here that crashes.
              is there a solution?
              thanks.

              Michele

              pfsense_error.jpg
              pfsense_error.jpg_thumb

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • stephenw10S
                stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                last edited by

                What hardware are you using? Please list as much as you can.

                You are seeing a DMA error on the disk. I would try disabling UDMA in the bios if you can.

                Steve

                Edit: This could be a bad hard disk with dead sectors. Do you know it's history?

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • M
                  mikysal78
                  last edited by

                  @stephenw10:

                  What hardware are you using? Please list as much as you can.

                  You are seeing a DMA error on the disk. I would try disabling UDMA in the bios if you can.

                  Steve

                  Machine is FabiaTech FX5420
                  http://www.fabiatech.com/a/file/product/Q5420.pdf
                  http://www.sisav.it/reti/datasheet/fx5420.pdf

                  No, i don't choose dma in the bios…is old bios! :(
                  Thanks.
                  Michele

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • stephenw10S
                    stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                    last edited by

                    What sort of BIOS is it? I'm surprised it doesn't have any dma options. You could try setting the HD to LBA instead.
                    I see that box has a CF card slot. Have you considered using that instead?
                    Can it boot from USB? There's a USB stick install image you can use instead of a CD.

                    Steve

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • M
                      mikysal78
                      last edited by

                      @stephenw10:

                      What sort of BIOS is it? I'm surprised it doesn't have any dma options. You could try setting the HD to LBA instead.
                      I see that box has a CF card slot. Have you considered using that instead?
                      Can it boot from USB? There's a USB stick install image you can use instead of a CD.

                      Steve

                      What's the image CF for installation? That replaces the CD and i install on my hdd?
                      I solve all the problems as well!
                      Thanks…

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • stephenw10S
                        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                        last edited by

                        The nanobsd images are meant to be written to flash media, such as a CF card. PfSense will then boot directly from that. No hard drive needed.

                        The memstick images are used to create a bootable USB stick that you can use to install pfSense to the hard drive.

                        See: http://www.pfsense.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=44

                        Steve

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • First post
                          Last post
                        Copyright 2025 Rubicon Communications LLC (Netgate). All rights reserved.