Microdrive embedded installations

From PFSenseDocs

This article is part of the HOWTO series.

Summary

This is a work in progress for those who would like to be able to do a full install on a WRAP, Soekris, or other Embedded-Compatible platform.

Known Caveats

It appears that MicroDrives aren't quite ready for prime time. Most of the ones you'll be able to find are on eBay, and they have been pulled from some other embedded device. Whatever the case, there are two specs that the MicroDrives seem to follow, the first is Compact Flash, or CF mode. This mode runs on 3.3V and appears to work just fine on any device that supports Compact Flash. The second is "True IDE" mode. This mode requires 5V and seems to only work via either an interface that is directly wired to the IDE bus, or an IDE to Compact Flash adapter. Most (if not all) USB adapters will not work, as at very least they cannot provide enough power to the drive.

A good indicator appears to be the label for the microdrive. If they have a firmware indicator, for example I have two here that are Seagate ST1 drives, and both state FW: 3.13, then it is a solid bet that they are True-IDE only. Some will also give a voltage indicator (ie +5Vc), but it is unclear as to whether or not this means it is really True-IDE only, as across the web there are accounts of drives labeled +5Vc and yet they appear to work in Compact Flash mode.

So before you even get going on this, do your homework as to which type of drive you have and what interfaces you have available to install pfSense onto the Microdrive.

I am personally awaiting my IDE to CF adapter to continue this document. My intention is to take the pfSense iso, boot it using qemu, and install to the Microdrive without ever leaving my primary OS. More to come.