Package Manager

Packages are managed at System > Packages (Figure Package Listing). The listings there, presented in alphabetical order, show all of the information about a package.

See also

pfSense® software uses similar mechanisms to handle base system upgrades. For more information on that process, see Upgrade Guide.

Name

The name of the package. This is a unique, and typically short, name used to identify the package. On some packages, the name is a link to more information about the package.

Version

The version number of the package. This number is specific to the package on pfSense, and is not necessarily related to the version of the underlying software (if there is any). The version number is also a link to recent changes for the package.

Description

Longer text describing the package, its purpose, and so on. If the package depends upon other packages, the GUI lists them here denoted by fa-paperclip.

Warning

For security reasons, keep the installed packages to the bare minimum required for a deployment.

../_images/packages-packageexample.png

Package Listing

Installing Packages

Packages are installed as follows:

  • Navigate to System > Packages, Available Packages tab

  • Locate the package to install in the list

    Tip

    Search for a package by entering a value in the Search term box and clicking fa-search Search

  • Click fa-plus Install to the right of the package entry

  • Click fa-check Confirm to proceed with the package installation

After confirming the installation, the GUI displays the package installation screen containing the install progress (Figure Post-Install Package Screen).

../_images/packages-installed.png

Post-Install Package Screen

Reinstalling and Updating Packages

Packages are reinstalled and updated the same way they are installed:

  • Navigate to System > Packages, Installed Packages tab

    The list will look like Figure Installed Package List

  • Locate the package to reinstall or update in the list

    If there is a newer version available than is installed, the Package Version column will state the old and new versions with special highlighted text

  • Click fa-refresh to update or fa-retweet to reinstall the package

  • Click fa-check Confirm to proceed with the package reinstallation

../_images/packages-installedpackages.png

Installed Package List

Uninstalling Packages

To uninstall a package:

  • Navigate to System > Packages, Installed Packages tab

  • Locate the package to uninstall in the list

  • Click fa-trash to remove the package

  • Click fa-check Confirm to proceed with the package removal