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

    APU set up with Wi-Fi

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Problems Installing or Upgrading pfSense Software
    118 Posts 9 Posters 35.7k 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.
    • stephenw10S
      stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
      last edited by

      Nice!  :D
      So it looks like PC-Engines included some reverse polarity protection.  ;)

      So you're fully booted into pfSense Nano?

      I would conclude then that your null-modem cable is not wired for hardware flow control and that the serail console code in coreboot requires that. Once booting pfSense you can use software flow control which requires only three wires.

      Steve

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • E
        eiger3970
        last edited by

        Yes, good that PC-Engines built that in.

        Not fully booted yet, just able to see the configuration requests.

        Next problem has appeared though:
        Enter the WAN interface name of 'a' for auto-detection: a > I connected the WAN Ethernet cable to re0 > re0: link stat changed to UP > Enter > No link-up detected.

        Not sure why the auto-detection is saying 'No link-up detected.' as the re0 changes state from link DOWN to UP?

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

          Just enter re0 manually. I personally never use the auto detection.

          Steve

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • JeGrJ
            JeGr LAYER 8 Moderator
            last edited by

            The auto detection only works if you have it unplugged prior to using a for auto detect and then plugging it in afterwards. If you already know the ports name there's no need for auto.

            Don't forget to upvote 👍 those who kindly offered their time and brainpower to help you!

            If you're interested, I'm available to discuss details of German-speaking paid support (for companies) if needed.

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • E
              eiger3970
              last edited by

              Yes, I ended up manually entering the interface.

              No, I did have the Ethernet cable unplugged from the interface > then typed 'a' for auto detection > Enter > then plugged the Ethernet cable into the interface, but same error, so there's a software issue there somewhere.

              Anyways, it's running now, so need to rebuild pfSense from scratch again.
              Thanks for all the help.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • E
                eSpezi
                last edited by

                Hi Eiger,

                may I suggest some steps to you, that I've found out to working (at least for me) installing pfSense to the apu (did it on 4 apus now):

                1. Do not use nano, but use pfSense-memstick-serial-2.1.3-RELEASE-amd64.img.gz instead
                Unpack it and burn the .img to a usb-stick like you did with the nano .img to the sd-card
                2. Plug-in sd-card, usb-stick, boot from usb and do a new install to the sd-card (select the option serial console!)
                3. when finsished installing and having access to the webinterface go to System: Advanced: Admin Access -> Serial Communications -> Serial Speed and set it to 115200
                4. Set your putty to 115200 8/N/1 (no flow control) and reboot
                Now you can see all of the boot process BIOS and pfSense in putty and don't have to switch between baud rates.
                The full installation seems to be the best bet at the moment according to the posts here. I also had no issues with any of my apus till now, runnung since several weeks.

                Good luck!
                Harry

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

                  If you're running from flash media, like an SD card, you should be running Nano to prevent excessive writes.

                  Steve

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • E
                    eiger3970
                    last edited by

                    So, final step I think?
                    Wi-Fi chip arrived with pigtails and antenna.
                    I can't find a slot for the Wi-Fi chip to insert into the APU MOBO?
                    Any suggestions?

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

                      What wifi card do you have?
                      The APU has only PCIe slots or USB for expansion options.

                      Steve

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • E
                        eiger3970
                        last edited by

                        This is my APU.
                        This is my Wi-Fi card.

                        From what I read, the APU has 2 x miniPC express slots, but I can't find them to connect the Wi-Fi card into?

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • GruensFroeschliG
                          GruensFroeschli
                          last edited by

                          That is a half-sized card.
                          The slots on the board are designed for full-sized cards.
                          You need a full-sized card like this one: http://pcengines.ch/wle200nx.htm

                          We do what we must, because we can.

                          Asking questions the smart way: http://www.catb.org/esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • E
                            eiger3970
                            last edited by

                            Ok, thanks.
                            I still don't see where the card will plug into the APU board though?

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • GruensFroeschliG
                              GruensFroeschli
                              last edited by

                              here:

                              edit: better example:
                              https://forum.pfsense.org/index.php?topic=59555.msg405522#msg405522
                              Linked an image of my board with
                              left to right:
                              WLAN card
                              Dual Gbit card
                              The last card with the same formfactor is the SSD.
                              Physically and electrically the same connector, but a different protocol (SATA instead of PCIe).

                              We do what we must, because we can.

                              Asking questions the smart way: http://www.catb.org/esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

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

                                You can get an adapter to fit a half size card:
                                http://www.mini-box.com/Mini-PCI-E-Half-to-Full-Size-Extension-Card-Wireless-WIFI-PCI-Adapter-Bracket?sc=8&category=1363

                                However more importantly I'm not sure that card will work with pfSense. It might be supported by the iwn driver in 2.2 (it's not mentioned explicitly in the driver).

                                Steve

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • E
                                  eiger3970
                                  last edited by

                                  Thank you.
                                  The Wi-Fi card fits in the APU slots. (I connected to the left slot).
                                  I then went to pfSense GUI > Interfaces > (assign) > Wireless > Add > Parent interface: no option to choose > Mode: Access Point > Description: Wi-Fi > Save > error: The following input errors were detected: The field 'Parent interface' is required.

                                  I'm guessing the Wi-Fi card is compatible with pfSense.
                                  Not sure why pfSense hasn't found the card yet?

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

                                    I assume you're running 2.1.3? Probably there's no driver for it.

                                    Try running 'pciconf -lv' at the command line and see if it appears there.

                                    Steve

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • E
                                      eiger3970
                                      last edited by

                                      Yes, the version is 2.1.3-RELEASE (amd64)
                                      built on Thu May 01 15:52:13 EDT 2014
                                      FreeBSD 8.3-RELEASE-p16
                                      You are on the latest version.

                                      I don't see the Wi-Fi card, but I might have missed it as I'm not quite sure what to look for.
                                      I see the re0, re1 and re2 Ethernet ports, but they don't seem to show a cable connection on re0 and re1, but perhaps the command only shows the interfaces, not more details about connections.

                                      
$ pciconf -lv
hostb0@pci0:0:0:0:	class=0x060000 card=0x15101022 chip=0x15101022 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = HOST-PCI
pcib1@pci0:0:4:0:	class=0x060400 card=0x12341022 chip=0x15121022 rev=0x00 hdr=0x01
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = PCI-PCI
pcib2@pci0:0:5:0:	class=0x060400 card=0x12341022 chip=0x15131022 rev=0x00 hdr=0x01
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = PCI-PCI
pcib3@pci0:0:6:0:	class=0x060400 card=0x12341022 chip=0x15141022 rev=0x00 hdr=0x01
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = PCI-PCI
atapci0@pci0:0:17:0:	class=0x010601 card=0x43911002 chip=0x43911002 rev=0x40 hdr=0x00
    class      = mass storage
    subclass   = SATA
ohci0@pci0:0:18:0:	class=0x0c0310 card=0x43971002 chip=0x43971002 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = serial bus
    subclass   = USB
ehci0@pci0:0:18:2:	class=0x0c0320 card=0x43961002 chip=0x43961002 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = serial bus
    subclass   = USB
ohci1@pci0:0:19:0:	class=0x0c0310 card=0x43971002 chip=0x43971002 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = serial bus
    subclass   = USB
ehci1@pci0:0:19:2:	class=0x0c0320 card=0x43961002 chip=0x43961002 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = serial bus
    subclass   = USB
none0@pci0:0:20:0:	class=0x0c0500 card=0x15101022 chip=0x43851002 rev=0x42 hdr=0x00
    class      = serial bus
    subclass   = SMBus
atapci1@pci0:0:20:1:	class=0x01018a card=0x439c1002 chip=0x439c1002 rev=0x40 hdr=0x00
    class      = mass storage
    subclass   = ATA
isab0@pci0:0:20:3:	class=0x060100 card=0x439d1002 chip=0x439d1002 rev=0x40 hdr=0x00
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = PCI-ISA
pcib4@pci0:0:20:4:	class=0x060401 card=0x00000000 chip=0x43841002 rev=0x40 hdr=0x01
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = PCI-PCI
ohci2@pci0:0:20:5:	class=0x0c0310 card=0x43991002 chip=0x43991002 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = serial bus
    subclass   = USB
pcib5@pci0:0:21:0:	class=0x060400 card=0x00001002 chip=0x43a01002 rev=0x00 hdr=0x01
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = PCI-PCI
ohci3@pci0:0:22:0:	class=0x0c0310 card=0x43971002 chip=0x43971002 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = serial bus
    subclass   = USB
ehci2@pci0:0:22:2:	class=0x0c0320 card=0x43961002 chip=0x43961002 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = serial bus
    subclass   = USB
hostb1@pci0:0:24:0:	class=0x060000 card=0x00000000 chip=0x17001022 rev=0x43 hdr=0x00
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = HOST-PCI
hostb2@pci0:0:24:1:	class=0x060000 card=0x00000000 chip=0x17011022 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = HOST-PCI
hostb3@pci0:0:24:2:	class=0x060000 card=0x00000000 chip=0x17021022 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = HOST-PCI
hostb4@pci0:0:24:3:	class=0x060000 card=0x00000000 chip=0x17031022 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = HOST-PCI
hostb5@pci0:0:24:4:	class=0x060000 card=0x00000000 chip=0x17041022 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = HOST-PCI
hostb6@pci0:0:24:5:	class=0x060000 card=0x00000000 chip=0x17181022 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = HOST-PCI
hostb7@pci0:0:24:6:	class=0x060000 card=0x00000000 chip=0x17161022 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = HOST-PCI
hostb8@pci0:0:24:7:	class=0x060000 card=0x00000000 chip=0x17191022 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = HOST-PCI
re0@pci0:1:0:0:	class=0x020000 card=0x012310ec chip=0x816810ec rev=0x06 hdr=0x00
    class      = network
    subclass   = ethernet
re1@pci0:2:0:0:	class=0x020000 card=0x012310ec chip=0x816810ec rev=0x06 hdr=0x00
    class      = network
    subclass   = ethernet
re2@pci0:3:0:0:	class=0x020000 card=0x012310ec chip=0x816810ec rev=0x06 hdr=0x00
    class      = network
    subclass   = ethernet
                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • stephenw10S
                                        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                        last edited by

                                        Hmm, not there at all.
                                        Is it in the slot correctly? Do you have the half to full adapter to make it sit level?
                                        One of those slots is actually an mSATA slot not PCIe, are you maybe using that by mistake? Try a different slot.

                                        Steve

                                        Edit:Typo

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • E
                                          eiger3970
                                          last edited by

                                          So, I plugged my  Wi-Fi card into the middle APU slot which is PCIe 2.
                                          Seems to have the same results.

                                          
$ pciconf -lv
hostb0@pci0:0:0:0:	class=0x060000 card=0x15101022 chip=0x15101022 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = HOST-PCI
pcib1@pci0:0:4:0:	class=0x060400 card=0x12341022 chip=0x15121022 rev=0x00 hdr=0x01
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = PCI-PCI
pcib2@pci0:0:5:0:	class=0x060400 card=0x12341022 chip=0x15131022 rev=0x00 hdr=0x01
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = PCI-PCI
pcib3@pci0:0:6:0:	class=0x060400 card=0x12341022 chip=0x15141022 rev=0x00 hdr=0x01
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = PCI-PCI
atapci0@pci0:0:17:0:	class=0x010601 card=0x43911002 chip=0x43911002 rev=0x40 hdr=0x00
    class      = mass storage
    subclass   = SATA
ohci0@pci0:0:18:0:	class=0x0c0310 card=0x43971002 chip=0x43971002 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = serial bus
    subclass   = USB
ehci0@pci0:0:18:2:	class=0x0c0320 card=0x43961002 chip=0x43961002 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = serial bus
    subclass   = USB
ohci1@pci0:0:19:0:	class=0x0c0310 card=0x43971002 chip=0x43971002 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = serial bus
    subclass   = USB
ehci1@pci0:0:19:2:	class=0x0c0320 card=0x43961002 chip=0x43961002 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = serial bus
    subclass   = USB
none0@pci0:0:20:0:	class=0x0c0500 card=0x15101022 chip=0x43851002 rev=0x42 hdr=0x00
    class      = serial bus
    subclass   = SMBus
atapci1@pci0:0:20:1:	class=0x01018a card=0x439c1002 chip=0x439c1002 rev=0x40 hdr=0x00
    class      = mass storage
    subclass   = ATA
isab0@pci0:0:20:3:	class=0x060100 card=0x439d1002 chip=0x439d1002 rev=0x40 hdr=0x00
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = PCI-ISA
pcib4@pci0:0:20:4:	class=0x060401 card=0x00000000 chip=0x43841002 rev=0x40 hdr=0x01
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = PCI-PCI
ohci2@pci0:0:20:5:	class=0x0c0310 card=0x43991002 chip=0x43991002 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = serial bus
    subclass   = USB
pcib5@pci0:0:21:0:	class=0x060400 card=0x00001002 chip=0x43a01002 rev=0x00 hdr=0x01
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = PCI-PCI
ohci3@pci0:0:22:0:	class=0x0c0310 card=0x43971002 chip=0x43971002 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = serial bus
    subclass   = USB
ehci2@pci0:0:22:2:	class=0x0c0320 card=0x43961002 chip=0x43961002 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = serial bus
    subclass   = USB
hostb1@pci0:0:24:0:	class=0x060000 card=0x00000000 chip=0x17001022 rev=0x43 hdr=0x00
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = HOST-PCI
hostb2@pci0:0:24:1:	class=0x060000 card=0x00000000 chip=0x17011022 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = HOST-PCI
hostb3@pci0:0:24:2:	class=0x060000 card=0x00000000 chip=0x17021022 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = HOST-PCI
hostb4@pci0:0:24:3:	class=0x060000 card=0x00000000 chip=0x17031022 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = HOST-PCI
hostb5@pci0:0:24:4:	class=0x060000 card=0x00000000 chip=0x17041022 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = HOST-PCI
hostb6@pci0:0:24:5:	class=0x060000 card=0x00000000 chip=0x17181022 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = HOST-PCI
hostb7@pci0:0:24:6:	class=0x060000 card=0x00000000 chip=0x17161022 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = HOST-PCI
hostb8@pci0:0:24:7:	class=0x060000 card=0x00000000 chip=0x17191022 rev=0x00 hdr=0x00
    class      = bridge
    subclass   = HOST-PCI
re0@pci0:1:0:0:	class=0x020000 card=0x012310ec chip=0x816810ec rev=0x06 hdr=0x00
    class      = network
    subclass   = ethernet
re1@pci0:2:0:0:	class=0x020000 card=0x012310ec chip=0x816810ec rev=0x06 hdr=0x00
    class      = network
    subclass   = ethernet
re2@pci0:3:0:0:	class=0x020000 card=0x012310ec chip=0x816810ec rev=0x06 hdr=0x00
    class      = network
    subclass   = ethernet
none1@pci0:4:0:0:	class=0x028000 card=0x40608086 chip=0x088e8086 rev=0x24 hdr=0x00
    class      = network

                                          Also, the card doesn't sit flat. The card sits on an angle sticking up about 15 degrees.

                                          I think the Wi-Fi card is the correct model as I bought the same model as per what's being sold here.

                                          I'm not sure if the half size card will help? From what I understand, the half size card lets me screw down the Wi-Fi card to the APU. However the APU has no screw holes with the half size card or with the Wi-Fi card.

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

                                            PCIe cards need to be screwed down to make proper contact with the slot. Because the APU doesn't have mountings for half cards you need the extension to make it fit the full size mountings.
                                            However your card is now connected, you can see it listed as none1 in your pciconf output. It shows as none because there is no driver attached to it. There's not going to be a driver until 2.2 at the earliest and probably not then either (to make this work currently in FreeBSD you'd need to patch the driver yourself). You would be much better off with a different card.

                                            Steve

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