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Introduction to a Self Managed Life: a 13 hour & 28 minute presentation by FUTO software
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== Step 3: Installing pfSense on the Intel NUC == <span id="boot-from-the-usb-flash-drive"></span> === Boot from the USB Flash Drive === <span id="power-on-the-intel-nuc"></span> ==== 1.1 Power on the Intel NUC ==== * Make sure the USB drive containing the pfSense installer is still plugged into the Intel NUC. * Power on the NUC and press <code>F10</code> (or the relevant boot menu key) to select the USB drive as the boot device. <span id="select-the-usb-drive-in-boot-menu"></span> ==== 1.2 Select the USB Drive in Boot Menu ==== * In the boot menu, you’ll see a list of available boot devices. Select the USB flash drive that contains the pfSense installer. * Press <code>Enter</code> to boot from the USB drive. <span id="begin-the-pfsense-installation"></span> === Begin the pfSense Installation === <span id="pfsense-installer-menu"></span> ==== 2.1 pfSense Installer Menu ==== * After a few moments, the pfSense installer menu will appear. * Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to select '''Install''' and press <code>Enter</code> to begin the installation. <gallery mode="packed-hover" heights=250 widths=400 perrow=2> File:lu55028jxaty_tmp_8890b270.png </gallery> <span id="choose-installation-method"></span> ==== 2.2 Choose Installation Method ==== * The installer will guide you through the process. When prompted to choose an install method, select '''Auto (ZFS)''' for the file system. * ZFS is a great file system that offers data integrity, snapshots, and other advanced features. You probably won’t use most of them, but it’s still an excellent choice. <gallery mode="packed-hover" heights=250 widths=400 perrow=2> File:lu55028jxaty_tmp_41fc31d.png File:lu55028jxaty_tmp_e354a54e.png </gallery> <span id="select-the-correct-installation-drive"></span> === Select the Correct Installation Drive === Raidz1 is a good option in that it allows one of the drives in your machine to die, and the router to keep going. This requires you have not one, but two drives inside your router machine. This is not a bad idea. You should be making a backup file of your router anyway so that you can restore regardless of what happens to any and all of the hardware on this one: but, this will allow the router to keep working even if a single drive dies. I am using stripe, no redundancy, which is the option you will be picking if you have only one drive in the router. <gallery mode="packed-hover" heights=250 widths=400 perrow=2> File:lu55028jxaty_tmp_bcad25ab.png </gallery> <span id="select-internal-ssd-or-hard-drive"></span> ==== 3.1 Select Internal SSD or Hard Drive ==== * The next step is to select the disk where '''pfSense''' will be installed. This is a very important step, so pay close attention. * You will see a list of drives. The USB drive will usually appear as a small capacity device (e.g., 4GB or 8GB). * Choose the larger drive that represents your Intel NUC’s internal SSD or hard drive (e.g., 256GB, 512GB). * '''Important:''' “generic-mass-storage-class” is usually your external USB flash drive. '''If you’re using a PC with an internal drive, there’s a 99% chance that “generic-mass-storage-class” is NOT what you want to select unless you’re intentionally installing to a USB mass storage device (which is not recommended for a permanent installation).''' * In my case, the Micron SSD was my internal SSD. Your drive name may be different, but look for a larger capacity drive that matches what you know is inside your NUC or PC. * Use the arrow keys to highlight the correct drive, then press Enter to confirm your selection. <span id="confirm-erase-and-installation"></span> ==== 3.2 Confirm Erase and Installation ==== * Once the correct internal drive is selected, the installer will ask if you want to erase the drive and proceed with the installation. * This will erase all data on the selected drive. Make sure you’ve backed up any important data before proceeding. * Confirm by selecting '''Yes'''. The installer will now copy files and set up '''pfSense''' on the internal drive. This may take a few minutes. <span id="complete-the-installation-and-reboot"></span> === Complete the Installation and Reboot === <span id="remove-the-usb-flash-drive"></span> ==== 4.1 Remove the USB Flash Drive ==== * After the installation is complete, you’ll be prompted to reboot the system. * Before rebooting, remove the USB flash drive from the Intel NUC. This makes sure it boots from the newly installed '''pfSense''' system on your internal drive. <span id="reboot-and-load-pfsense"></span> ==== 4.2 Reboot and Load pfSense ==== * After removing the USB drive, press <code>Enter</code> to reboot the system. * The Intel NUC will now boot into '''pfSense''' from the internal drive, and you’ll be greeted with the '''pfSense''' console screen. Now that '''pfSense''' is installed, you’re ready to proceed with the initial configuration. This includes setting up your WAN (external network) and LAN (internal network) interfaces to make the NUC function as your network router. <span id="step-4-first-time-configuration-of-pfsense"></span>
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