Schedules and Virtual IPs (VIPs) are powerful features in pfSense that allow you to control network traffic and create flexible network configurations. This section will guide you through the process of setting up schedules and VIPs in pfSense.
Schedules:
- Creating Schedules: Access the “Firewall” section and select the “Schedules” submenu. Create new schedules by specifying a name, start time, end time, days of the week, and duration.
- Using Schedules in Rules: Reference schedules in your firewall rules to control when the rules are active or inactive. This allows you to implement time-based access controls or traffic management policies.
- Advanced Schedule Options: Explore advanced options for schedules, such as recurring patterns, holidays, and custom time intervals.
Virtual IPs:
- Creating Virtual IPs: Access the “Interfaces” section and select the desired interface. Create a new virtual IP by specifying an IP address and associated gateway.
- Assigning Virtual IPs to Services: Assign virtual IPs to specific services or applications. This allows you to provide multiple IP addresses for a single physical interface, improving load balancing or redundancy.
- Configuring Failover (optional): If you have multiple pfSense instances, configure failover using virtual IPs to provide redundancy and ensure uninterrupted service.
Combining Schedules and Virtual IPs:
- Creating Time-Based VIPs: Combine schedules with virtual IPs to create time-based availability for specific services. For example, you can configure a virtual IP to be active only during business hours.
- Load Balancing with Schedules: Use schedules to implement load balancing policies based on time or day. This allows you to distribute traffic across multiple servers or interfaces more effectively.
Advanced Considerations:
- Multiple Schedules: You can create multiple schedules and reference them in different rules to implement complex traffic management policies.
- Virtual IP Groups: Group virtual IPs together for easier management and configuration.
- VIP Failover Monitoring: Implement monitoring mechanisms to detect and respond to virtual IP failures.
