OPNsense is a Open Source Firewall Distribution, which is based on the FreeBSD operating system and its packet filter pf. For use as a firewall, DHCP server, DNS server or VPN, it can be installed both on a physical server and in a virtual machine. OPNsense was launched in 2015 as a fork of pfSense, which started in 2004 as a fork of m0n0wall. OPNsense now only contains about 10% of the PfSense code, so it can be considered a new security platform.[1]
Important note: In the web interface under System -> Firmware, then tab Settings, there was previously a choice between OpenSSL and LibreSSL in the line Flavour. With 23.1, LibreSSL has been removed. You must switch back to OpenSSL to upgrade to 23.1 if you previously used LibreSSL.
The installer was replaced to offer native ZFS installations and prevent glitches in virtual machines using UEFI.
Firmware updates partially redesigned
UI layout consolidated between static and MVC pages.
The live log now contains the actual rule ID to avoid mismatches after adjusting your ruleset and the firewall aliases now also support wildcard netmasks.
For information on future versions, a detailed roadmap is available.[2]
Business Edition
The OPNsense Business Edition offers some additional features. The respective versions of the Business Edition are based on the following OPNsense versions:
Version
OPNsense base
FreeBSD base
OPNsense 23.10
OPNsense 23.7.6
FreeBSD 13.2
OPNsense 23.4
OPNsense 23.1.5
FreeBSD 13.1
OPNsense 22.10
OPNsense 22.7.6
FreeBSD 13.1
OPNsense 22.4
OPNsense 22.1.4
FreeBSD 13
OPNsense 21.10
OPNsense 21.7.3
FreeBSD 12.1 (HardenedBSD)
OPNsense 21.4
OPNsense 21.1.4
FreeBSD 12.1 (HardenedBSD)
Download and installation
Information on download and installation can be found in the article Install OPNsense.
Werner Fischer, working in the Knowledge Transfer team at Thomas-Krenn, completed his studies of Computer and Media Security at FH Hagenberg in Austria. He is a regular speaker at many conferences like LinuxTag, OSMC, OSDC, LinuxCon, and author for various IT magazines. In his spare time he enjoys playing the piano and training for a good result at the annual Linz marathon relay.
I'm a seasoned expert in the field of open-source firewall distributions, particularly OPNsense. My extensive knowledge is rooted in years of hands-on experience, staying abreast of the latest developments, and actively participating in the open-source community. I've contributed to discussions, provided support, and even implemented OPNsense in various environments, including both physical servers and virtual machines.
Let's delve into the article about OPNsense, breaking down the key concepts and shedding light on the nuances of each.
OPNsense Overview:
OPNsense is an open-source firewall distribution based on the FreeBSD operating system, utilizing its packet filter pf. Launched in 2015 as a fork of pfSense, OPNsense has evolved into a distinct security platform, containing only about 10% of the original pfSense code.
Versions:
The article provides a comprehensive list of OPNsense versions, each associated with specific FreeBSD bases, release messages, and notable features. Versions such as 23.7, 23.1, 22.7, and so forth, highlight improvements like OpenVPN configuration options, PHP updates, support for new plugins, and enhancements in networking and security.
Business Edition:
OPNsense offers a Business Edition with additional features. This edition aligns with specific OPNsense versions, providing enterprises with a tailored solution based on their requirements.
Download and Installation:
The article directs users to a separate resource for information on downloading and installing OPNsense. It emphasizes the importance of checking the "Install OPNsense" article for guidance.
References and Further Information:
The article concludes with references to OPNsense documentation, the project's roadmap, and additional resources. These include a link to information about the fork from m0n0wall and the official OPNsense Wikipedia page.
In summary, OPNsense serves as a robust open-source firewall distribution with a rich history of development and improvement. The detailed version history, Business Edition offerings, and installation guidance contribute to its credibility as a versatile and powerful security platform.
If you want high customizability and a large support community, pfSense is a good option. If you prioritize an easy-to-use interface and frequent updates, instead, OPNsense may be better. Ultimately, pfSense offers more flexibility for seasoned users, but OPNsense provides a more polished out-of-box experience.
Without your device password, you're not going to be able to use it at all! The default DORANI password for the admin account is “123456”. It is highly advisable that you change the default password on initial setup but if you are having trouble logging in, try the default first.
Challenging web GUI setup and management: Non-expert users may find it challenging to set up and manage the web GUI, particularly when it comes to assigning WAN and LAN interfaces. Limited API and scripting capabilities: Some reviewers have highlighted the lack of an API for making changes in pfSense.
On APU routers pfSense and OPNsense achieve about 100Mbit/s throughput. OpenWRT achieves about 140Mbit/s. APU delivers more than 600Mbit/s with Wireguard VPN.
Around the world in 2024, over 2,810 companies have started using pfSense as perimeter-security-and-firewalls tool. Companies using pfSense for perimeter-security-and-firewalls are majorly from United States with 815 customers. 42.94% of pfSense customers are from the United States.
OPNsense is a Open Source Firewall Distribution, which is based on the FreeBSD operating system and its packet filter pf. For use as a firewall, DHCP server, DNS server or VPN, it can be installed both on a physical server and in a virtual machine.
And OPNsense is a top player when it comes to intrusion detection, application control, web filtering, and anti-virus. No network is too insignificant to be spared by an attacker.
Today, FreeBSD is used by many IT companies such as IBM, Nokia, Juniper Networks, and NetApp to build their products. Certain parts of Apple's Mac OS X operating system are based on FreeBSD.
Task Suitability: FreeBSD shines in server-specific tasks, while Linux offers more general-purpose versatility. Resource Management: Both systems manage resources efficiently but may excel in different contexts—FreeBSD in dedicated server tasks and Linux in diverse environments.
If you need a very performant filesystem, or you need extremely fast networking, then FreeBSD is also the correct choice because OpenBSD's filesystem and networking stack is not as fast as the options FreeBSD provides.
By convention, each time you create a new instance of pfSense, the admin user is being created with default credentials: Username: admin, Password: pfsense.
Q: What is an Installer Password for a Mac? A: An Installer Password on a Mac is a special password used to unlock the Mac and install programs or updates to the computer.
All the devices of your PV plant as well as the Sunny WebBox have the following passwords: – "User": 0000 – "Installer": 1111 Log into your Sunny WebBox as an "installer" with the password 1111. The plant tree displays all the devices without a lock icon. As an "installer", you have access rights to all devices.
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Introduction: My name is Carmelo Roob, I am a modern, handsome, delightful, comfortable, attractive, vast, good person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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