Configuring Manual & Automated pfSense Backup and Restore



pfSense

The pfSense project is a free open source customized distribution of FreeBSD tailored for use as a firewall and router entirely managed by an easy-to-use web interface. No FreeBSD knowledge is required to deploy and use pfSense software.


In this article, we'll be configuring Manual and Automated Backup and Restore pfSense for pfSense files under its Services configuration.


1. Backup

Backup refers to the copying of physical or virtual files or databases to a secondary location for preservation in case of equipment failure or catastrophe, such as a power cut or water leak.

  • Manual Backup

  • Navigate to Diagnostics> Backup Files and Directories> Add

  • Complete Backup Settings

  • Backup Name

  • Path

  • Enabled: Enabled

  • Description

  • Save

  • Navigate to Diagnostics> Backup Files and Directories> Settings

  • Backup

  • Manual Backup for a specific area (eg: Backup Aliases )

  • Navigate to Diagnostics > Backup & Restore > Backup & Restore

  • Complete Backup Configuration

  • Backup area: Aliases

  • Download configuration as XML

  • Automated Backup

  • Navigate to Services > Auto Configuration > Backup Settings

  • Complete Config Backup

  • Enable ACB: Enable automatic configuration backups

  • Backup Frequency: Automatically backup on every configuration change

  • Encryption Password

  • Manual backups to keep: (eg: 10 ) > Save

  • Navigate to Services > Auto Configuration > Backup now

  • Revision Reason

  • Backup

To see your backup files and configuration XML files by using CMD with ssh run these commands

$ cd /cf/conf/
$ ls 

2. Restore

Restore means to return something to its former condition. When you restore a computer or other electronic device, you return it to a previous state. This may be a previous system backup or the original factory settings.

  • Restore a specific area (eg: Restore Aliases )

  • Navigate to Diagnostics > Backup & Restore > Backup & Restore

  • Restore Backup

  • Restore area: Aliases

  • Configuration file: Choose File

  • Restore Configuration

  • Restore all configuration

  • Navigate to Services > Auto Configuration > Restore




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