Accessing pfSense: SSH, Web Interface, and Serial Console

 

In this tutorial, we'll guide you through three methods of accessing your pfSense firewall: SSH, the web interface, and the serial console. We'll be using MobaXterm, a versatile remote computing tool, to simplify the process.

1. Accessing pfSense via SSH:

SSH allows secure remote access to your pfSense system's command-line interface. Here's how to do it:

1. Open MobaXterm on your computer.

2. Click on the "Session" button in the top-left corner.

3. In the "Session settings" window:

   • Choose "SSH" as the protocol.
   • Enter the IP address or DNS name of the pfSense firewall in the "Remote host" field.
   • Set the "Port" to the SSH port (typically 22).
   • Enter your pfSense username tied to the MSLS Partners AD Domain.
   • Choose "Use private key" if applicable, or use "Password" and enter your password.

4. Click the "OK" button.

5. Double-click the SSH session in the main MobaXterm window to open the SSH terminal.

2. Accessing pfSense via Web Interface:

The web interface provides a graphical way to manage your pfSense settings. Follow these steps to access it:

1. Open a web browser on a computer connected to the local network.

2. Enter the IP address or DNS name of the pfSense firewall in the address bar. For example:

   • IP address: https://192.168.100.1:9443
   • DNS name: https://firewall-1.mslspartners.com:9443

3. If you encounter a security warning due to the SSL certificate, proceed to the site (or add an exception).

4. On the login page, enter your pfSense credentials:

   • Username: Your MSLS Partners AD Domain username
   • Password: Your corresponding password

5. Click "Login" to access the pfSense web interface.

3. Accessing pfSense via Serial Console:

The serial console is an important method for direct access to your pfSense system. Here's how to connect using MobaXterm:

1. Connect a serial cable between your computer and the pfSense serial console port.

2. Open MobaXterm on your computer.

3. Click on the "Session" button in the top-left corner.

4. In the "Session settings" window:

   • Choose "Serial" as the protocol.
   • Select the correct COM port corresponding to your serial connection.
   • Set the "Baud rate" to 115200 (default for pfSense).
   • Ensure "Data bits" is set to 8, "Parity" to None, and "Stop bits" to 1 (8N1).

5. Click the "OK" button.

6. Double-click the serial session in the main MobaXterm window to open the console.

That's it! You now know how to access pfSense using SSH, the web interface, and the serial console using MobaXterm. These methods offer you different levels of access and control for managing your pfSense firewall.

Remember to use the appropriate credentials and settings based on your pfSense configuration. If you encounter any issues, please reach out for assistance.