The exact string. The spare had its own identity, stamped on its motherboard. She’d logged it in the asset tracker. Serial # pf-9D12-7E44-3B8F. She checked the asset log on her second monitor. Yes, the spare’s serial was different. But the OS… the OS insisted this was the dead firewall’s soul.
Depending on whether you run official Netgate hardware or a custom DIY firewall build, the method for finding this identifier changes. 1. How to Find Your Serial Number on Netgate Hardware
In the context of pfSense, a serial number uniquely identifies an installation of the pfSense software. This serial number is not the same as the serial number of a physical device (like a firewall appliance) but is instead a unique identifier for your specific pfSense installation. It is used for various purposes, including licensing, support, and ensuring the integrity of your installation.
The easiest and most common way to locate your serial number is through the pfSense web dashboard. pfsense serial number
If you clean-install pfSense Community Edition over an official Netgate appliance, the WebGUI may lose the ability to easily display the factory serial number in the main dashboard. Running the dmidecode command in the shell will still extract the underlying hardware serial number from the chassis EEPROM/BIOS.
What are you trying to accomplish with the serial number? Share public link
Mira stared at the screen. The junior tech came in with a cup of coffee. “Hey, Mira. You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” The exact string
If you are running the on your own hardware, there is no physical Netgate serial number to display. In this case, the dashboard will show a system-generated UUID instead of a serial number. This is completely normal and doesn't impact performance or indicate a problem.
For official Netgate appliances (such as the SG-2100 or XG-1541), the serial number is printed on a physical sticker. System serial number | Netgate Forum
“Impossible,” she whispered, typing the command into the shell. Serial # pf-9D12-7E44-3B8F
Although pfSense itself is open-source and free to use, some features and support services may require a license. Knowing your serial number is essential for obtaining and verifying licenses.
Log in to the pfSense web interface. Navigate to System > Information (or System > Settings in some versions). The serial number is displayed here.