====== PFSense - Install pfSense in VirtualBox ======

===== Download pfSense =====

Navigate to http://www.pfsense.org/ and click on the **Download** section.

<WRAP info>
**NOTE:**  The options here are what I use.

  * Architecture:  **AMD64 (64-bit)**.  As I use an AMD or Intel device as the router.
  * Installer:  **USB Memstick Installer**.  As I will install from a USB.
  * Console:  **VGA**.  As I will plug a Keyboard and Monitor into the router; and will not be setting this up via a Serial cable.

Choose different options as required.
</WRAP>

----

===== Setup Virtual Box =====

  * Open Virtual box.
  * Click **New** to create a new machine.
  * Select Type **BSD** and version **FreeBSD (64-bit)**.
  * Select your RAM, 512 MB minimum.  If you are going to doing a lot with your router (e.g. running an IPS/IDS or VPN) provision more.  8 GB or more to allow a lot of functionality and support a lot of devices. 
  * Provide the location of virtual hard disk location on your PC and select the hard drive file type VDI.  20 GB or more to allow for logs and additional packages.

Setup the network adapters.  You need to bridge one adapter for your WAN, and bridge one adapter for your LAN.  Remember which is which!

  * Select the **Setting** option.
  * Click on the **Network** option and in **Adapter 1** select the option **Attached to Bridge Adapter**.
  * Now click on **Adapter 2**, and select the option **Enable network Adapter** and select the option **Internal network**.

  * Click on the **Storage** option from the cd menu select **Choose a virtual CD/DVD** option and point to the pfSense image file on your hard-disk.

  * Click on **Start** to power on the virtual box machine.
  * Select **Option 1**; Boot pfsense (default).
  * It will prompt you to create a Vlan.  Select **No** and enter **em0** as WAN interface name.
  * Select the option **< Accept these settings >**.
  * Select the option **< Quick /Easy install >** and click on **OK**.
  * The installation will start.

  * Select the **Standard** kernel option.
  * It will ask to reboot.  Remove the Image file from the Device menu and reboot it.

  * Connect to pfSense through a web browser.


----

===== References =====

https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/install/download-installer-image.html

https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/config/index.html