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pfSense

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pfSense
A version of the FreeBSD operating system
PfSense logo.svg
DeveloperRubicon Communications, LLC ()
OS familyFreeBSD
Working stateCurrent
Source modelClosed source and open source
Latest release2.5.2 (amd64) / July 7, 2021; 6 months ago (2021-07-07)[1]
Latest preview2.6.0[2] / February 17, 2021; 11 months ago (2021-02-17)
Repository
Platforms32-bit (discontinued in 2.4.x); 64-bit Intel / AMD
Default
user interface		Web
LicenseApache License 2.0[3] applies to pfSense CE
Official websitewww.pfsense.org
Support status
Supported by the community

pfSense is a firewall/router computer software distribution based on FreeBSD. The open source pfSense Community Edition (CE) and pfSense Plus is installed on a physical computer or a virtual machine to make a dedicated firewall/router for a network.[4] It can be configured and upgraded through a web-based interface, and requires no knowledge of the underlying FreeBSD system to manage.[5][6]

Overview

The pfSense project began in 2004 as a fork of the m0n0wall project by Chris Buechler and Scott Ullrich. Its first release was in 2006.[7] The name derives from the fact that the software uses the packet-filtering tool, PF.[8]

In February 2021, feature updates of pfSense CE 2.5.0 and pfSense Plus 21.02 included a kernel WireGuard implementation, however, following reported issues in the code by WireGuard founder Jason Donenfeld, it was discontinued in March 2021.[9][10][11] The July 2021 release of pfSense CE 2.5.2 version re-included WireGuard.[12]

Notable functions of pfSense include traffic shaping, VPNs using IPsec or PPTP, captive portal, stateful firewall, network address translation, 802.1q support for VLANs, and dynamic DNS.[13] pfSense can be installed on hardware with an x86-64 processor architecture. It can also be installed on embedded hardware using Compact Flash or SD cards, or as a virtual machine.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Releases — Versions of pfSense and FreeBSD". netgate.com. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
  2. ^ pfSense Snapshot Release
  3. ^ "pfSense adopts Apache 2.0 License". Serve The Home (Loyolan Ventures, LLC). 19 June 2016.
  4. ^ Ot, Anina (2021-02-03). "6 Reasons Why You Should Be Using pfsense Firewall". MUO.
  5. ^ "You should be running a pfSense firewall". InfoWorld. 22 December 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  6. ^ Miller, Sloan (26 June 2008). "Configure a professional firewall using pfSense". Free Software Magazine (22). Archived from the original on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 27 September 2009.
  7. ^ Fields, Robert (28 October 2016). "Happy 10th Anniversary to pfSense Open Source Software". Netgate Blog.
  8. ^ Mobily, Tony (14 August 2007). "Interview with Jeff Starkweather, Chris Buechler and Scott Ullrich". Free Software Magazine. Archived from the original on 12 September 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  9. ^ Salter, Jim (2021-03-15). "In-kernel WireGuard is on its way to FreeBSD and the pfSense router". Ars Technica (in American English). Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  10. ^ "Releases — 21.02/21.02-p1/2.5.0 New Features and Changes". docs.netgate.com. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  11. ^ Kumar, Rohit (2021-03-19). "pfSense and FreeBSD Pull Back on Kernel WireGuard Support". ServeTheHome (in American English). Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  12. ^ "pfSense CE 2.5.2-RELEASE Now Available". www.netgate.com (in American English).
  13. ^ "pfSense® CE functions".
  14. ^ "How to Install pfSense Firewall on Ubuntu and CentOS?". Geekflare. 2020-02-06.

Further reading

  • Mastering pfSense, Second Edition Birmingham, UK: Packt Publishing, 2018. ISBN 978-1788993173. By David Zientra.
  • Security: Manage Network Security With pfSense Firewall [Video] Birmingham, UK: Packt, 2018. ISBN 978-1789538991. By Manuj Aggarwal.

External links

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