Mounting SSD in Watchguard XTM5

[dwasifar]

I know I'm not the only one using EOL Watchguard XTM hardware for my OPNsense firewall.  There are a lot of guides out there for how to do it.  The Watchguard OS is on a CF card mounted on the system board (!) but there are SATA ports on the board and unused SATA power connectors on the power supply harness, so most people install an SSD.

There are four mounting posts in an unused area of the case, but they don't line up with drive mounting holes.  It's like Watchguard intended to offer an SSD or HDD option at some point but never did it.  So there is no available bracket to mount the drive.  Most people just use foam tape to affix the drive to the case, but I prefer to fabricate a mounting plate, like so:









It's just a piece of thin sheet metal (galvanized flashing, in this case) with holes and cutouts in the necessary places.  Works like a charm and prevents having to peel off foam tape if you need to get the drive out later. 

Just thought I'd show it in case anyone can use the idea.