How to Configure LCDProc in pfSense for Sophos XG 310 Rev2

December 29, 2024 at 2:47 PM

The Sophos XG 310 Rev2 comes equipped with an LCD panel that can display system stats and alerts. With pfSense and LCDProc, you can configure this display for real-time updates. This guide walks you through the setup process.

Prerequisites

pfSense installed on your Sophos XG 310 Rev2
Access to the pfSense Web GUI
LCDProc package installed

Step-by-Step Guide

Install LCDProc: Navigate to System > Package Manager > Available Packages in the pfSense Web GUI. Search for "LCDProc" and click Install.
Access Configuration: After installation, go to Services > LCDProc to access the configuration page.
Set Com Port: Under the Hardware Settings section, set the Com Port to /dev/cuau1. If the display doesn't work, try /dev/cuau2.
Choose Driver: Select HD44780 as the driver and set the connection type to Portwell EZIO-100/EZIO-300.
Set Display Size: Input 2 for rows and 16 for columns.
Save and Test: Save the configuration and test the setup by restarting the LCDProc service. Check the display for real-time system stats.

Configuration Settings

Here are the settings that worked the best for me.

Setting	Value
Com Port	`/dev/cuau1` (try `/dev/cuau2` if needed)
Display Size	2 rows, 16 columns
Driver	HD44780 and compatible
Connection Type	Portwell EZIO-100 and EZIO-300
Port Speed	Default

Once you have these settings saved, you can click over to the Screens tab and select all the items you would like to display as well as the display intervals.

Here is a small GIF of the firewall in operation.

A animated gif of the firewall operating with the LCD display

Troubleshooting

If the LCD display does not respond:

Verify the Com Port setting (/dev/cuau1 or /dev/cuau2).
Ensure the connection type matches your hardware (Portwell EZIO-100/EZIO-300).
Restart the LCDProc service under Services > LCDProc.
Check the logs for errors in the pfSense system log (Status > System Logs).

Conclusion

With these steps, you can utilize the LCD display on your Sophos XG 310 Rev2 to monitor system stats in real-time. This setup can greatly enhance the functionality of your firewall and provide instant visual feedback.