pfsense on a WatchGuard Firebox X550e (on a Mac)

Posted on December 20, 2011 by Alex

Since there was broadband internet (here in Germany most-likely ADSL) I used some kind of router to connect all my devices in my home network with the internet.
But after a short period of time using the so called router from my ISP I decided to run a server as a router. The main reason was, that I became interested  in the whole networking thing.
But since I always use the server also as storage I always wanted to have this box not directly connected to the internet. And as a lucky guy as I am I got the chance to get my hands on a used WatchGuard Firebox X550e. Continue reading →

Posted in Hardware, Mac, Network | Leave a comment

USB to serial on a MacBook

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Alex

Everyone who is dealing with network-equipment knows about the pain, that almost every notebook / laptop is missing a serial-port today.
My laptop at work and my private MacBook Pro suffers the same problem. So I am using a USB to serial adapter. The one I got (Aten UC-232A) is a plug and play under Windows. But unfortunately it is not that simple (it’s easy at all) on a Mac. But at the end I figured it out I would like to start this blog with a short “how-to”. Continue reading →

Posted in Hardware, Mac | Leave a comment