Consideration prior and after installing Pfsense on an SSD drive.
Circa. 2011: Forum Suggestions (2011)
https://forum.pfsense.org/index.php?topic=34381.0
Current: Log Settings
https://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/Log_Settings
SSD drive – prior to installing Pfsense.
1. Use higher amounts of RAM.
2. Disable the swap file (During install delete the /swap partition).
3. Disable firewall rule logging.
4. Disable RRD graphing backend.
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Default Logging
https://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/Firewall_Logs#Disable_Default_Block_Logging
Above is some useful information. Disabling logging for an SSD may / should be addressed.
Visit the page –> STATUS: SYSTEM LOGS: SETTINGS
1. Make some decisions about “Log Packets” and “Log Errors”.
2. The pfsense page listed above states:
“To disable logging of blocked packets from the default deny rule, go to Status > System Logs, Settings tab, then uncheck Log packets blocked by the default rule and Click Save.”
3. You might consider “deselecting” all logging on this page. Your SSD drive may thank you in the long run, but feel free to research the forums for advice.
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Pfsense will update graphs every minute or so. Your SSD drive will have a healthier life without all those “writes”.
Consider disabling RRD graphs or enable them for a period of time and then disable them again afterwards.
Go to -> STATUS: RRD GRAPHS: SETTINGS
1. Uncheck “Enables the RRD graphing backend” and SAVE.
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BACKUP YOUR CONFIGURATION BEFORE CONTINUING
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Log Settings
https://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/Log_Settings
Option available in the more current version of Pfsense:
1. Local Logging: Local logging on the firewall may be disabled as well using “Disable writing log files to the local disk”.
2. Finally, press the button “Reset Log Files” to clear all files. You will be able to troubleshoot any logging from a clear slate.
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BACKUP ONCE MORE WITH THESE FINAL SETTINGS.
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PACKAGE LOGS
If you decide to install a package go to STATUS: PACKAGE LOGS and make changes to logging.
Have a look at the forums for best advice on both “Installing packages on an SSD drive” and “Disabling logging on an SSD drive”.
For that matter pfsense has documents on their website covering these discussions.
All in all you are preparing an SSD drive for a long life under the Pfsense Firewall.