Nice. Thank you.
Would you mind adding this to the Squid wiki?
IMO it should go as a new file in this part of the wiki repository:
<https://github.com/squid-cache/squid-cache.github.io/tree/main/docs/ConfigExamples/Caching>
(you can use the existing WindowsUpdates page there as an
example/template layout to match the rest of the ConfigExamples section).
Cheers
Amos
On 10/01/2026 09:07, Jonathan Lee wrote:
Great find
pfSense Squid Cache on NVMe (Persistent Across Reboots)
======================================================
Goal:
-----
Use an existing directory on an already-mounted NVMe drive
as Squid’s cache, while satisfying pfSense’s requirement
that the cache live under /var/squid.
This method:
- Works across reboots
- Survives pfSense & Squid upgrades
- Does NOT use symlinks (which do not work)
- Does NOT destroy existing data on the drive
--------------------------------------------------------
Prerequisites:
--------------
- NVMe drive already mounted (example: /nvme)
- Existing cache directory on the drive:
/nvme/LOGS_Optane/Squid_Cache
- Squid package installed
--------------------------------------------------------
Step 1: Create the mount point under /var/squid
------------------------------------------------
(Only creates an empty directory if it doesn’t exist)
mkdir -p /var/squid/cache
--------------------------------------------------------
Step 2: Bind-mount (nullfs) the existing directory
--------------------------------------------------
(This makes the NVMe directory appear inside /var/squid)
mount_nullfs /nvme/LOGS_Optane/Squid_Cache /var/squid/cache
NOTE:
- No data is moved or copied
- Existing cache contents are used directly
--------------------------------------------------------
Step 3: Make the mount persistent (IMPORTANT)
------------------------------------------------
pfSense GUI:
1. Go to:
System → Advanced → fstab
2. Click "Add"
3. Set the following:
- Type: nullfs
- Device: /nvme/LOGS_Optane/Squid_Cache
- Mount point: /var/squid/cache
- Options: rw
4. Save
5. Apply Changes
--------------------------------------------------------
Step 4: Configure Squid to use the new path
-------------------------------------------
pfSense GUI:
Services → Squid Proxy Server → Local Cache
Set:
Cache directory:
/var/squid/cache
Save and restart Squid.
--------------------------------------------------------
Step 5: Verify
--------------
Check that the mount is active:
df -h | grep squid
mount | grep nullfs
You should see the NVMe filesystem mounted at:
/var/squid/cache
--------------------------------------------------------
Behavior After Reboot:
----------------------
- Mount persists across reboots
- pfSense package manager no longer complains
- Squid cache cleanup works normally
- No manual remounting required
--------------------------------------------------------
Important Notes:
----------------
- Symlinks do NOT work (pfSense resolves real paths)
- nullfs is the correct and supported workaround
- MSDOS/FAT filesystems work but are not ideal long-term
- UFS or ZFS is recommended if you ever reformat
--------------------------------------------------------
End of file
Sent from my iPhone
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