Deploying pfSense as a Home/SOHO Router

by | Aug 25, 2024 | IT | 0 comments

Deploying pfSense as a Home/SOHO Router: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

What is pfSense?

pfSense is an open-source firewall and router software that you can install on a physical or virtual machine to manage your home network. It offers advanced features, but don’t worry—you don’t need to be a tech expert to set it up. This guide will walk you through the process, step by step.

What You’ll Need

  1. Hardware:
  • A computer with at least two network interfaces (one for WAN, one for LAN).
  • A USB drive (at least 1GB).
  • A monitor and keyboard (for initial setup).
  • Ethernet cables.
  1. Software:
  • pfSense image file (ISO).
  • Rufus or any tool to create a bootable USB drive.

Step 1: Prepare the Hardware

Diagram 1: Basic Setup Overview

Internet (ISP) --> Modem --> [WAN port] pfSense [LAN port] --> Switch/Router --> Devices (PCs, Laptops, Smartphones)
  1. Download pfSense:
  • Go to the pfSense website and download the ISO image file suitable for your computer’s architecture (usually amd64).
  1. Create a Bootable USB Drive:
  • Use Rufus to create a bootable USB drive. Insert the USB drive, open Rufus, select the pfSense ISO file, and start the process.
  1. Set Up Your Hardware:
  • Plug the USB drive into the computer that will run pfSense.
  • Connect the monitor and keyboard to this computer.
  • Connect one Ethernet cable from your modem to the first network interface (WAN) on the pfSense computer.
  • Connect another Ethernet cable from the second network interface (LAN) to a switch or directly to your main router.

Step 2: Install pfSense

  1. Boot from the USB Drive:
  • Turn on your pfSense computer and boot from the USB drive. You might need to press a key (like F12 or Esc) during startup to select the USB drive as the boot device.
  1. Installation Process:
  • Follow the on-screen prompts:
    • Select the default keymap and accept the terms.
    • Choose “Install” to start the installation.
    • Choose “Auto (UFS)” for the file system.
  • The installation will take a few minutes. Once it’s done, remove the USB drive and reboot the system.

Step 3: Initial Configuration

  1. Accessing pfSense:
  • After rebooting, the pfSense computer will display an IP address on the LAN interface (usually 192.168.1.1). This is the address you’ll use to access the pfSense web interface.
  1. Configure the WAN Interface:
  • Choose the appropriate WAN interface (the one connected to your modem).
  • Typically, select “Auto-detect” for IP assignment unless your ISP has given you specific settings.
  1. Configure the LAN Interface:
  • The LAN interface will already have an IP address (192.168.1.1). You can change this if it conflicts with your existing network.
  1. Set Admin Password:
  • You’ll be prompted to set a new admin password. Make sure it’s something you’ll remember but hard for others to guess.

Step 4: Access the pfSense Web Interface

  1. Connect to the LAN:
  • Use a computer connected to the LAN (via Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and open a web browser.
  • Type 192.168.1.1 into the address bar and press Enter.
  1. Login:
  • Enter the default username (admin) and the password you set earlier.
  1. Wizard Setup:
  • The first time you log in, a setup wizard will guide you through the initial configuration.
    • Set the hostname and domain.
    • Configure DNS servers (if you’re not sure, use Google’s DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4).
    • Confirm your WAN and LAN settings.

Step 5: Fine-Tuning Your Network

Diagram 2: Example Network Configuration

Internet (ISP) --> Modem --> pfSense WAN [192.168.0.2] --> pfSense LAN [192.168.1.1] --> Switch/Router --> Devices
  1. Firewall Rules:
  • Go to the “Firewall” tab and set up rules to control traffic between your LAN and WAN.
  • For most home setups, the default rules should work fine.
  1. DHCP Server:
  • Ensure the DHCP server is enabled on the LAN interface, so it assigns IP addresses to your devices automatically.
  1. Port Forwarding (if needed):
  • If you need to host services like a web server, you’ll need to set up port forwarding in the “Firewall > NAT” section.

Step 6: Testing and Finalizing

  1. Check Connectivity:
  • Connect various devices (PCs, phones, etc.) to your network and ensure they can access the internet.
  1. Secure Your Setup:
  • Change the default pfSense admin password if you haven’t already.
  • Consider setting up VPN for secure remote access to your network.

Troubleshooting Tips

  • Can’t Access Web Interface?
  • Make sure your computer is connected to the correct LAN interface.
  • Double-check the IP address (try 192.168.1.1).
  • No Internet?
  • Verify your WAN settings and ensure the modem is properly connected.
  • Devices Not Getting IP Addresses?
  • Ensure the DHCP server is enabled on the LAN interface.

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