Greetings from all of us at Netgate! As usual, there's lots of news this month, so let's get right to it.
Here are the highlights:
- pfSense 2.4.4-RELEASE
- pfSense Gold Free with 2.4.4-RELEASE
- SG-1000 End-of-Sale
- pfSense 2.4.4 on a MinnowBoard Dual-Ethernet
- Winners of the Limited Edition Dual Ethernet MinnowBoards
- US Tariffs
- pfSense 2.3.x EOL
- TNSR Videos
- pfSense software with Google Cloud Identity
- 10% off single-NIC MinnowBoard Turbots
- Tip of the month
- October pfSense Gold Hangout on Google Cloud Identity Secure LDAP Authentication
- Final Thought
pfSense 2.4.4-Release Highlights
We are excited to announce the release of pfSense® software version 2.4.4, now available for new installations and upgrades!
pfSense software version 2.4.4 brings security patches, numerous new features, support for new Netgate hardware models, and stability fixes for issues present in previous pfSense 2.4.x branch releases.
pfSense 2.4.4-RELEASE updates and installation images are available now!
Important Note: Be sure to read the release notes. There are significant changes to some of the underlying package technology. And as always, make a backup of your configuration prior to updating.
pfSense Gold is officially gone
On September 17, 2018, we disabled the ability to purchase a pfSense Gold Subscription with pfSense® 2.4.4-RELEASE. All of the services previously offered under pfSense Gold will continue, but they will be freely available to all pfSense users. The term pfSense Gold will no longer be used.
This is exciting news and includes:
- A living digital copy of The pfSense Book (700+ pages) in various formats
- The Monthly Hangouts can now be accessed through our videos page
- Unlimited access to AutoConfigBackup - now available through the pfSense Dashboard by accessing Services -> Auto Config Backup
Click below to read the entire blog post.
SG-1000 End-of-Sale announcement
It's always hard for us to say goodbye to one of our products, especially one that's been as popular as the SG-1000, but that time is here. We only have a limited stock available and it will be gone forever.
Note: If you need something small in the meantime, continue reading to the next article.
pfSense 2.4.4 on a MinnowBoard Turbot Dual-Ethernet
Now available with flames and a USB key
We've jazzed up the Dual-Ethernet MinnowBoard Turbot. We're now shipping it with a USB key that can be used to install pfSense Community Edition version 2.4.4. We're also offering an option to laser-etch your MinnowBoard with some pretty incredible flames.
(Take a look at the video we made laser-etching the flames.)
We ran some numbers on the dual-core and quad-core versions, and compared them to the SG-2220, one of our most popular models. The tests used 256 and 512 byte packets with packet filtering enabled. The numbers are surprising and worth a look.
And the best news of all is that we've lowered the price of the quad-core from $350 to $299. See the full details in our recent blog post!
Limited Edition MinnowBoard Turbot Winners
Speaking of the MinnowBoard Turbot Dual Ethernet, we sent out a survey last quarter. Those who took the survey were entered into up to 4 weekly drawings to receive a Limited Edition Blue MinnowBoard.
Hot out of the oven!
The winners were Franz A., David L., Steffen B., and Tom C.! Congratulations to all four of them! And thank you to everyone else who took the survey!
The Limited Edition blue model shown above is not available for purchase, but you can purchase a black model with flames, as shown in the preceding article.
US Tariffs
This is a newsletter and unfortunately, not all of the news is good. On January 1, 2019, we are going to have to raise the prices on our products.
Our cost to manufacture enclosures in the US instantly shot up 30% in early 2018 when additional tariffs were placed on Chinese steel. We absorbed this cost at the time. With the continued escalation of the US-China tradewar, we are now being assessed additional tariffs of 25% on some of our components and systems that originate in China. We expect more tariffs to go into effect on January 1, 2019. Similarly, we have been advised by our US manufacturing partners that some of the parts and systems we source from them have Chinese components that have already risen in price, and are expected to rise again in January 2019.
This does not mean that system prices are going up 25%, only some of the components. Each model will be assessed individually to determine price increases.
We are working to relocate some of our Chinese production to other countries that are not affected by the US-China tradewar, however there are some components and systems that we cannot easily move. We will work to minimize the disruption and the price increases. If you are in the United States, please call your US Representatives and Senators to express your thoughts on the tradewar, and let them know how that is affecting your business.
Systems and components that we are currently paying an additional 10% or 25% ad valorem import tariff in addition the normal duty/tariff rate directly or indirectly are:
- SFP/SFP+ components and cables
- XG-1541
- XG-1537
- All power supplies
We expect additional duties on all other system level products to kick in 1 January 2019.
pfSense version 2.3.x EOL
This is a quick reminder that pfSense version 2.3.x will End-of-Life on October 31, 2018. Starting with pfSense software version 2.4.0, 32-bit x86 hardware and NanoBSD installations were deprecated.
If you'd like more information, please visit our blog post.
TNSR videos
We have added a couple of TNSR videos to the Netgate Channel of YouTube to help answer a few of the TNSR questions you might have. They're both fairly short and you can click on the buttons below to view them.
Don't forget to "Like" and "Subscribe" while you're there!
Netgate integrates pfSense software with Google Cloud Identity
Check out our blog to find out how Netgate became a priority partner for Google in its effort to popularize Cloud Identity and the integration of pfSense software with their Secure LDAP feature.
Note: This month's Hangout will also cover Google G Suite LDAP Authentication. See the article below.
10% off single-NIC MinnowBoard Turbots
We added a discount to the MBT-4210 quad-core MinnowBoard Turbot* for 10% off. These powerful boards are capable of running several different operating systems, such as Ubuntu LTS and Microsoft Windows 10. You can also configure this system as a Router on a Stick using pfSense software version 2.4 and above.
The 10% discount also applies to Lures, enclosures, and power adapters. Don't delay.
* Dual-Ethernet MinnowBoard Turbots are not included in this promotion.
Tip of the month
This month, it isn't a single tip, it's a lot of information. We've added a Resource Library section to our webpage that has links to the Why To Series, the TNSR resources, all of our numerous Hangout Videos, and much more. You can get there by clicking on the Resource menu on the Netgate website or by clicking below.
October Monthly Hangout
The Netgate Hangout this month will cover integration with Google Cloud Identity, using LDAP to securely authenticate G Suite accounts for services on the firewall.
Subscribe to the Netgate channel on Youtube to be notified when the Hangout goes live on Friday, October 26, 2018 at 1PM CDT / 2PM EDT.
Final thought
Each time I write this final thought, I'm again awed at how great our customers and the community are. Thank you for being part of all of this. We really do appreciate your loyalty and support, both to us and to the project!
Netgate training schedule
Official pfSense training by Netgate has been announced and is up on the website. If you need training to maintain your partner status, please click the button below to get enrolled. Seats fill up quickly so don't delay.
Netgate Global Support
Netgate Global Support subscriptions are designed to meet the needs of any organization and start at just $29 a month. That's less than $1 a day for solid peace of mind knowing there's someone available to help you 24x7, including holidays.
Choose from three different plans to meet your exact needs.
No one knows how to support pfSense software more than we do. Take a look to see if support is the right choice for your organization.
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