How to install OPNsense on macOS

In this tutorial, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of installing OPNsense on your macOS device.

Prerequisites

Before we get started, you'll need to make sure your system meets the following requirements:

• macOS (minimum 10.10 Yosemite)
• At least 4GB RAM
• At least 16GB of available storage space
• An internet connection
• A USB drive with at least 4GB of storage space

Step 1: Download OPNsense

First, you'll need to download the OPNsense image file from the official website.

1. Go to https://opnsense.org/download/
2. Select your preferred version of OPNsense
3. Click on the "Download Now" button to save the .img.bz2 file to your computer

Step 2: Prepare the USB Drive

Next, we need to prepare the USB drive so we can install OPNsense onto it.

1. Insert the USB drive into an available USB port on your computer
2. Open the Terminal application on your Mac
3. Type the command diskutil list and press enter
4. Identify the disk number for your USB drive (look for the entry that matches the size of your drive)
5. Type the command diskutil unmountDisk /dev/diskN (where "N" is the disk number from Step 4)
6. Type the command sudo dd if=/path/to/opnsense.img.bz2 of=/dev/rdiskN bs=1m (Replace "N" with the disk number identified in Step 4 and update the path to match the location of your downloaded OPNsense image file)
7. Wait for the installation process to complete. This may take a few minutes.

Step 3: Boot from the USB Drive

Now that we have the USB drive ready, it's time to boot into the OPNsense installer.

1. Restart your computer, and hold down the "Option" key during boot-up to access the startup disk selection menu
2. Select the USB drive and press enter to begin booting from it

Step 4: Install OPNsense

With the USB drive booted up, we can begin the installation process.

1. Select the option to install OPNsense and press enter
2. Follow the on-screen prompts to configure your installation, including setting up your network connection, hostname, and setting the root password
3. Once the installation is complete, remove the USB drive and reboot your computer

Congratulations! You have successfully installed OPNsense onto your macOS device. You can now configure your router and start securing your network.

If you want to self-host in an easy, hands free way, need an external IP address, or simply want your data in your own hands, give IPv6.rs a try!

Alternatively, for the best virtual desktop, try Shells!