✌️How to Manage pfSense Network Gateway?

Redundant Configuration (HA) Setup Procedure

This article will introduce how to build a highly available (HA) network gateway using pfSense. This FreeBSD-based open source software will help you achieve a stable network environment.

What is pfSense?

pfSense is an open source router/firewall software based on FreeBSD that can implement various network functions such as router, firewall, VPN, and proxy. The configuration of the virtual network gateway when building ExpressRoute/Site-to-Site VPN is also described in the official documentation, so it can be used safely in many corporate environments.

File preparation

1

Download pfSense ISO file

Go to the official pfSense website (https://www.pfsense.org/download/) and download the latest ISO image.

2

Login to FPT Cloud Console

Go to https://console.fptcloud.jp/ and log in with the provided credentials.

3

Uploading an ISO file

Select the downloaded pfSense ISO file and upload it to the portal. You will receive a confirmation message once the upload is complete.

Network environment preparation

1

Create a new subnet

In the FPT Cloud Console, create a new subnet according to your requirements, which will allow you to assign the necessary IP addresses to the network interfaces of pfSense.

2

Creating a security group

Define security rules for your environment and create appropriate security groups to control communication and network traffic between pfSense virtual machines.

Creating a pfSense Virtual Machine

1

Compute Engine

Go to the Compute menu in the FPT Cloud console and click "Create Instance".

2

Basic information settings

Set up an instance name (e.g. pfsense-master or pfsense-slave) and select the pfSense ISO you uploaded earlier in the ISO image option.

3

Resource and network configuration

Select the appropriate resource size (CPU/RAM) for your needs and connect the necessary networks.

4

Attaching a security group

Attach the security group you just created and create a virtual machine.

HA (High Availability) Requirements

Minimum Requirements for High Availability (HA) Implementation

• At least three IPs per subnet on the pfSense network interface (one for the master, one for the slave, and a virtual IP for external communication)

• Layer 2 devices must support multicast

• The upstream/ISP/router involved must have access to the virtual IP used by CARP

Configuring the pfSense Interface

New Network: Adding a card

• Select "Assignment" from the "Interface" menu and click "Add" to add a new interface.

• Double-click the OPT1 interface and enter the required information.

• After setting, click "Save" and then "Apply Changes".

Firewall: Creating rules

• Select "Rules" from the "Firewall" menu and switch to the "Sync" tab

• Click "Add" to create a new rule, and enter the required information.

• Once you are done with the configuration, click "Save and Apply Changes".

• Do the same configuration on both pfSense servers.

Configuring CARP (High Availability Protocol)

Configuring CARP on the Master

• Select "High Availability Synchronization" from the "System" menu and enter the required information.

• The username and password for the remote system specify the credentials of a high-privileged user on the pfSense slave virtual machine.

  

Configuring CARP on the Slave

• Similarly, select "High Availability Synchronization" from the "System" menu and enter the required information.

• The settings will be different from those of the master, so please follow the instructions to set them appropriately.