System, diagnostics, and virtualization packages
These Optional Packages extend how you operate and troubleshoot the firewall. They do not replace the System’s own tools: configuration backup, console recovery, the built-in Diagnostics pages, and Status → System Logs are always there without any package.
| Package | Use it for | After install | Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Network Diagnostics | MTR path reports, Nmap top-ports scans, iperf3 throughput tests, ARP probes from the WebUI | Diagnostics → Network Tools | None |
| Open VM Tools | VMware guest integration: tools status, guest IP reporting, guest power operations | No page; two entries in Status → Services | vmware-guestd, vmware-kmod |
| Automation | Scheduled jobs and service checks | Services → Automation | None |
All three are lightweight packages. Install them from System → Package Manager → Available Packages. Stable publishes them for amd64 and, starting with 1.1.1, arm64.
Which one do you need?
Section titled “Which one do you need?”- A host is unreachable or slow and Ping or Traceroute do not explain why: first use the built-in Diagnostics → Ping, Traceroute, Test Port, DNS Lookup and Packet Capture. Add Network Diagnostics when you need loss per hop (MTR), a quick port overview of a host (Nmap), a throughput figure (iperf3), or an ARP check on a local segment.
- FreeSense runs as a VMware virtual machine: install Open VM Tools so the host can see the guest and shut it down cleanly. Do not install it on other hypervisors or on hardware.
- Something should happen on a schedule or when a service stops: see Automation.
UPS monitoring with Network UPS Tools is covered under Monitoring and automation.
Operating boundaries
Section titled “Operating boundaries”- Scans and load tests are security-sensitive. Nmap and iperf3 send traffic that other systems may treat as an attack or that can fill a link. Get authorisation, pick the target deliberately, and give the WebCfg - Diagnostics: Network Tools privilege only to administrators who need it. Results are shown once and not stored; save what you need elsewhere.
- Guest tools are not a backup. A VMware snapshot does not replace a FreeSense configuration backup or a tested restore.
- Automation runs changes without you. Keep each job small, named and reviewed, and do not make it the only way to restore connectivity.
For a general troubleshooting method and the built-in tools, see Diagnostics and troubleshooting and Monitoring and logs.