Navigation

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

    Migrate from physical to ESXi

    Installation and Upgrades
    2
    2
    591
    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.
    • W
      wifiuk last edited by

      I have a box running Purely PfSense. Physical box.
      Running smoothly and fine.

      i3 processor and 16GB ram.
      2 NIC cards.
      1TB HDD

      I wanted to know whats the best way to copy / clone / migrate the physical PfSense setup and then import it into the ESXi.

      I want to backup Pfsense / wipe the box install ESXi and bung PfSense back in there.
      I want to run some other OS alongside PfSense as this box is always on obviously.

      Any ideas and / or suggestions before i think of embarking on this ?

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • G
        gerdesj last edited by

        Note down the interfaces and their purposes exactly
        Dump the config
        Wipe the box
        Install ESXi
        Create the networking (vSwitches)
        Enable allow Promiscuous mode on the vSwitches that pfSense might need it
        Create a new VM (FreeBSD 64 bit) with the correct number of NICs (VMXNET3)
        Copy the pfSense ISO to the datastore
        Mount the ISO and boot off it
        Note the MAC addresses of the vNICs and which vSwitch they are connected to
        Install as usual
        At the console set at least the LAN address
        Connect your browser to it
        Restore the config
        Re-assign the interfaces
        Reboot
        Job done

        Cheers
        Jon

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • First post
          Last post