Firewall Setup Guide

pfSense User Guide

Welcome to your comprehensive guide for setting up your pfSense firewall. This guide will lead you through accessing the pfSense WebGUI and starting the initial setup process using the Setup Wizard. Before you dive into the pfSense configurations, let’s ensure your hardware is correctly connected and ready for the setup.

Connecting Your Computer to pfSense

  1. Connect to LAN1: Locate the LAN1 port on your pfSense device. Using an Ethernet cable, connect your computer directly to this port to ensure a secure connection for the setup process.
  2. Check Your Computer’s Network Settings: Ensure your computer is set to obtain an IP address automatically (using DHCP). This setting allows your computer to automatically receive an IP address from the pfSense device, facilitating a smooth connection to the WebGUI.

Accessing the pfSense WebGUI

Once your computer is connected to LAN1, follow these steps to access the pfSense WebGUI for configuration:

  1. Open a Web Browser: Launch any web browser on your computer.
  2. Navigate to pfSense: Enter 192.168.1.1 in the browser’s address bar and press Enter. The first time you access this address, you might encounter a security warning due to the website’s self-signed certificate. Proceed with the option to continue to the website (the exact option name may vary by browser).
  3. Log In: The default login credentials for pfSense are:
    • Username: admin
    • Password: pfsense
    Upon successful login, you’ll be greeted by the pfSense Setup Wizard, which will guide you through the initial configuration process.

Using the pfSense Setup Wizard

The Setup Wizard is designed to help you configure the essential settings of your pfSense firewall. For detailed step-by-step instructions through the Setup Wizard, refer to the official guide at:

https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/config/setup-wizard.html

Optional: Connecting a Monitor to pfSense

If you prefer to monitor your pfSense device’s output directly or need to troubleshoot without network access, you can connect a monitor using the following steps. This step is entirely optional and not required for the configuration and use of pfSense.

  1. Connect the Video Cable: Before powering on the pfSense device, connect it to your monitor using the appropriate video cable.
  2. Select the Correct Input on Your Monitor: Ensure your monitor is set to the correct input source that matches the connection from your pfSense device.
  3. Power on the pfSense Device: Once connected, turn on the pfSense device. You should now see the device’s output displayed on your monitor.

This direct monitor connection is useful for initial diagnostics or settings that require direct console access. Remember, this step is optional and primarily for troubleshooting or advanced configuration scenarios.