Messages

1

24.7 Production Series / Re: No serial port - Console Access using USB?

« on: September 08, 2024, 08:19:01 am »

*Update in case someone else has a similar requirement.*

It turns out that the Lenovo M900 Tiny PC I am using is capable of Intel AMT, which provides remote manageability at the BIOS level. After enabling the feature in BIOS, I am able to manage the device using opensource software called Mesh Commander.

The caveat is that Intel AMT works only with Intel 'LM' series NICs which is usually the onobard NIC on these little corporate PCs.

Thanks for your responses everyone.

2

24.7 Production Series / Re: No serial port - Console Access using USB?

« on: August 29, 2024, 11:43:49 pm »

I was mostly commenting on the picture shown...

If we talk USB to serial with USB being plugged into OPNsense and the serial end somewhere else ti view the OPNsense

Two USB-Serial cables connected to each other, so USB at either end, and it works well. Console becomes available
after the login message appears on screen. Would it be possible to get console before the login screen appears so I can view the boot up messages for troubleshooting.

3

24.7 Production Series / Re: No serial port - Console Access using USB?

« on: August 29, 2024, 12:44:58 am »

I meant USB working at the OS level before it fully boots up. The Opnsense image for serial install provides output over serial while reading off a USB storage device? That would mean both serial and USB are recognised by the installer?

Would the serial image be able to provide console output to serial during boot up after I complete the full installation? Or is it limited to the install process only?

If this will not work, I'll have to install a physical serial port. Bit the problem is that the spare port on the rear panel is taken up by the second NIC and I'll have to rig an extension cable and install the serial port outside the case.

I have attached a photo of the com port header can someone tell me what type of connector it is?

4

24.7 Production Series / Re: No serial port - Console Access using USB?

« on: August 28, 2024, 11:16:50 pm »

I meant USB working at the OS level before it fully boots up. The Opnsense image for serial install provides output over serial while reading off a USB storage device? That would mean both serial and USB are recognised by the installer?

Would the serial image be able to provide console output to serial during boot up after I complete the full installation? Or is it limited to the install process only?

5

24.7 Production Series / Re: No serial port - Console Access using USB?

« on: August 28, 2024, 09:37:18 pm »

Well, using a USB based serial console needs OS support, so no wonder you get output only once it is booted. Your system's BIOS as well as the boot loader do not support USB serial devices as console, so there is no way to access these phases of the boot process.

You would need a builtin serial port and BIOS support to see anything before the OS is up and running.

Pardon my ignorance, but USB boot and install from USB storage is possible; and I guess that means USB is enabled at power up? And I believe Serial being bi-directional it doesnt matter which end (USB or RS-232) is plugged into the opnsense box?

6

24.7 Production Series / Re: No serial port - Console Access using USB?

« on: August 28, 2024, 09:26:52 pm »

System - Settings - Administration - Console: Primary console

Already set to Serial Console and "Use USB-based serial ports" is ticked. Do I need to change any other settings?

7

24.7 Production Series / Re: No serial port - Console Access using USB?

« on: August 28, 2024, 12:56:05 pm »

Thanks everyone, I bought the USB to serial cable and am able to get console access to the Opnsense box. However, there's no console output until the OS fully boots up.

The link below seems to indicate that serial can be active during boot. I'm using a VGA image, will switching to the serial image help to get console access during boot?

https://serverfault.com/questions/918972/serial-over-usb-during-boot

8

Hardware and Performance / Re: Storage options for log files only

« on: August 08, 2024, 06:45:05 am »

Thank you

9

24.7 Production Series / Re: Moving log files to seperate disc

« on: August 08, 2024, 06:44:43 am »

Thank you, will try it out over the weekend and report back

10

24.7 Production Series / Re: No serial port - Console Access using USB?

« on: August 06, 2024, 11:09:00 am »

PL2303 works just fine when you enable the USB serial console setting.

As in USB on the Opnsense box? And do I need a serial convertor or can it be straight USB to USB?

11

24.7 Production Series / Re: No serial port - Console Access using USB?

« on: August 06, 2024, 09:07:37 am »

ok I found another one with a PL2303 chip, but will it work off a USB port on the opnsense box?

This is what I have in mind, will it work?

Opnsense box --> USB  -->DB9Serial<-->DB9Serial-->USB -->Laptop

12

24.7 Production Series / No serial port - Console Access using USB?

« on: August 06, 2024, 03:39:42 am »

Hi all,
Just started using Opnsense, bare metal install on a Lenovo M900 tiny PC. The unit I bought does not have a serial port, and the slot is taken up by the second NIC anyways. The system is in a tight spot and I want some kind of out of band access.

Is it possible to get console access using a USB - Serial convertor? I was thinking of getting two of these with a female-female adaptor in between. Both ends of the cable will be USB, one on the opnsense host and the other on my laptop. Will this work? Or do I need to look at other options?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0759HSLP1/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1IR1GJH6XB88L&th=1

13

Hardware and Performance / Re: Storage options for log files only

« on: August 05, 2024, 12:48:48 am »

Thanks for the response.

The SSD is an Intel SSD Pro 7600p Series 256 GB NVME SSD. 

This drive was already used in another machine for a couple of years, and smartctl reports 3% used

Already on ZFS.

Maybe I am overthinking this, but would still like to learn how to move log files. Can you please help with detailed steps or a link?

14

Hardware and Performance / Storage options for log files only

« on: August 04, 2024, 02:23:35 pm »

Hi all,
Just getting started on Opnsense and was reading that it's a good idea to move log files to a separate disc. I have a NVME SSD now, what type of storage is ideal a second disc for log files only?

• Would high endurance SD Cards be a good choice?
• Or would one of those Hybrid HDDs be a better choice. I could use a single disc for OS and log files with this option
  

Would appreciate some guidance oj this topic.

15

24.7 Production Series / Moving log files to seperate disc

« on: August 04, 2024, 02:14:17 pm »

Hi all,

Linux newbie here and just started testing Opnsense for home use. Reading through the forums, it appears that moving log files to a different disc is a good idea to prevent SSD wear. But how? And can it be done after installation?

There are a couple of threads on the topic, but not much info for a beginner. Can someone please explain this like I'm 5?

Couple of links I read on the topic
https://forum.opnsense.org/index.php?topic=14043
https://forum.opnsense.org/index.php?topic=32148.0

I am using ZFS filesystem in case  that's relevant.