Best way to learn and understand OPNsense?

[P195]

Hi All,

I've been using OPNsense for a while now, but haven't really got any proper understanding about how to configure it without reverting to watching VT video's. And most of those don't really explain the reasoning for doing things in a noob friendly format, and therefore it ends up being just information where not much understanding is gained.

Are there any structured training resources available to get a total noob like me to a point where I can be totally comfortable with the GUI and all of it's features? Is there some foundation knowledge required to get to this stage?
I want to understand it, but I don't want to have to do months of networking "training" to do so.

I was considering if it may be worth switching to something like DD-WRT which I believe is a little easier on the configuration front for new users, but I'm guessing I could still be in the same situation with that if I don't understand core networking principles.

Is OPNsense the right choice for someone like me?

Thanks,
P195

[cookiemonster]

Any choice will be the same. Some distributions have UIs, some are command line only.
In both cases the only assistance for the newbie is the documented but that will only explain how to do something, not the networking background of why, or just a passing brief explanation.
For the background in all its gory detail, there is no escaping from reading networking material away from those instructions. Because that is what they are, instructions, not training.

[Patrick M. Hausen]

Start with this - volume I is sufficient:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TCP/IP_Illustrated

[P195]

Thanks both.

Start with this - volume I is sufficient:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TCP/IP_Illustrated

Do you think by reading this it would make all of the features of the GUI make more sense and easier to configure?
Or would it just be lots of theory that wont specifically help with the OPNsense GUI options?

[Patrick M. Hausen]

It gives you the necessary fundamental knowledge of how networks in general and IP specifically work.

[bimbar]

Also I think the Cisco CCNA training material is pretty good in conveying the basics of IP.

[Greg_E]

I addition to basic networking, start here:

https://forum.opnsense.org/index.php?topic=39152.0

Then go to these resources:

Practical Opnsense (official book available from many sources)

And

OPNsense Beginner to Professional (Packt Publishing) I like to buy from Pact because they give you a free PDF when you buy the printed version, or you can option to buy an epub version for your ereader of choice. If you buy printed from Amazon, you can only get the PDF version with it, just need to provide a copy of your receipt.

That said, I need to spend more time with these last two options.

You'll also want to build a lab with either Virtual box, or physical hardware, one of the books is project/lab based.