Install pfSense® CE on Shunya N-BOX Mini Servers

1. pfSense® Overview #

pfSense® CE is an open-source routing and firewall software based on FreeBSD. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for installing pfSense® CE on the Shunya N-BOX mini server. It’s intended for system admins and network administrators with basic knowledge of networking and server hardware.

2. Install pfSense® CE #

2.1 What you will need for installation #

1. Shunya N-BOX mini server
2. USB drive (at least 8GB)
3. HDMI Monitor
4. USB Keyboard
5. Internet connection
6. Laptop/PC

2.2 Steps #

2.2.1 Make a Bootable USB for pfSense® CE #

1. Download the pfSense® CE Installation Image on your Laptop/PC:
   • Visit https://www.pfsense.org/download/.Choose the following options:
     • Architecture: AMD64 (64 bit)Installer: USB Memstick Installer.Console: VGA
   This screenshot shows an example installation with version 2.7.2 of pfSense® CE. We recommend downloading the latest available version.
2. Extract the Image:
   • Download and decompress the file using “7zip” or “winzip” on a separate laptop or PC.
   • The resulting file should have the same name but end in “.img” instead of “.img.gz.”
3. Use balenaEtcher to make bootable USB on a separate Laptop/PC:
   • Download and install “balenaEtcher” from balenaEtcher website.
   • Insert your USB Drive into the separate laptop or PC and open balenaEtcher.
   • Click on “Flash from file” and select the pfSense® CE installer image file.
     
   • Click on “Select target” and choose your USB drive.
   • Click on “Flash!” to create a bootable USB drive for pfSense® CE.
     
   • Once balenaEtcher finishes flashing, Remove the USB drive.
   • Now bootable USB is ready.

2.2.2 Install pfSense® CE #

1. Access BIOS:
   • Power off Shunya N-BOX mini-server.
   • Connect the monitor, insert the USB device, and plug in a USB keyboard.
   • Power on the device and press the DELETE key to enter the BIOS.
2. Set Boot Priority:
   • Navigate to the “Boot” tab, then “FIXED BOOT ORDER Priorities.”
   • Confirm that “Boot Option #1” is set to “USB Device.”
   • Press “F4” to save and exit the BIOS.
   • Reboot the Shunya N-BOX mini-server (power off and power on).
   • pfSense® CE installer will boot up.
3. Install pfSense® CE:
   • Agree to Terms & Conditions.
     
   • Select Install.
     
   • Select Auto(ZFS).
     
   • Select Install and Press ENTER.
   • Choose “Stripe” and Press ENTER.
     
   • Choose the HDD/SSD where you want to install. Press SPACE to select the HDD/SSD and then Press ENTER.
     
   • Select YES and Press ENTER
4. Now installer will Install pfSense®.
5. In Boot configuration screen. Select Yes and Press ENTER
6. Remove the bootable USB drive.
7. Select Reboot and Press ENTER.

Installation of pfSense® CE is complete!

If you face any difficulties in installation, you can follow the steps outlined in the official pfSense® CE installation walkthrough.

2.2.3 Setup pfSense® CE #

We will do a bare minimum setup of pfSense® CE to complete the installation. Here we will be Assigning WAN and LAN interfaces. pfSense® CE can automatically assign interfaces if you plug in WAN and LAN Ethernet cables to appropriate Ethernet ports. Advanced users can modify the steps as per their use cases.

1. On first boot pfSense® CE will ask you to setup WAN and LAN interfaces.
2. Since it is a bare minimum setup, we will not make any VLANs. Type ‘n’ and Press ENTER
3. Disconnect all Ethernet cables from the device.
4. To Assign WAN interface,
   • Press ‘a’
   • Connect the WAN cable into the device.
   • Press ENTER
5. To Assign LAN interface
   • Press ‘a’
   • Connect the LAN cable into the device.
     
   • Press ENTER
6. The installer will now prompt you to assign remaining interfaces. Since we won’t be assigning any additional interfaces, simply press ENTER for each Ethernet port.
7. Press y to save changes.
8. Interface assignment complete.

2.2.4 Access pfSense® CE WebUI #

pfSense® CE provides a WebUI which can be used to further configure the device.

1. Connect your Laptop/PC to the LAN port of the device.
2. Open your browser and Go to the website https://192.168.1.1
3. Browser will warn you about the unsigned certificates. Click on ‘Advanced’ and Click ‘Proceed to 192.168.1.1 (unsafe)’
4. Login into the WebUI using the username admin and password pfsense
5. The WebUI will prompt you to setup pfSense® CE.

Now, let’s set up pfSense® CE. Watch this video (setup starts at 7:13 mins) for simple setup instructions. Once it’s done, you can use pfSense® CE for various applications.

For detailed documentation on pfSense® CE please visit the official pfSense Documentation and if you have any questions regarding pfSense® CE please visit the official pfSense Forum.

_{** pfSense and pfSense Certified are registered trademarks of Electric Sheep Fencing, LLC in the United States and other countries. Shunya Mini Servers is not affiliated with or endorsed by pfSense®. The use of the pfSense® trademark on this website is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply any association with or endorsement by the trademark owner(s).}