HP t530: Mods 

• Hardware
• Disassembly
• Firmware
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• Using
• Mods

Mods

In August 2025 I heard from Paul about using his t530 to run pfsense:

I am using my t530 as a Pfsense box. In support of this I've added a Realtek 2.5GB NIC adapter (Realtek 8125BG), the adapter's interface board being fitted to the M.2 slot intended for the Wi-Fi slot and the Ethernet connector utilising the knockout panel on the back of the t530.

It so happens that my t530 came with the VGA adapter in place so I was able to reuse its bracket and the standard VGA mounting screws to mount the 2.5G ethernet port. Those not so lucky will have to form their own mounting bracket for the ethernet socket. You will also have to make a decision over the rear plastic panel. The standard push-on plastic rear panel has no corresponding knock-out available so your option is to make your own cut out to the panel to suit, or just use the t530 without the panel in place.

Note: A normal install of Pfsense (Pfsense CE 2.7.2 based on FreeBSD 14), does NOT pick up the 2.5gb NIC and install the necessary drivers. To get the drivers installed you need to take the following steps:

1. Diagnostics > Command Prompt

   pkg install -y net/realtek-re-kmod

   Then click Execute.

2. Diagnostics > Edit File:
   Add to /boot/loader.conf (Copy this into the text box)

   if_re_load="YES"
   if_re_name="/boot/modules/if_re.ko"

   Putting these options at the end of the config file works fine.

3. Save, and restart the machine.
4. Back to Diagnostics > Command Prompt
   use these two commands to check that the drivers are being installed after a reboot. (If successful, the return values should be shown as output).

   pkg info -x realtek (should return: realtek-re-kmod-198.00.1)
   
   pkg search realtek (should return: realtek-re-kmod-198.00.3)

Some more photos

The ethernet adapter board.

At the top you can see the M.2 ethernet board fitted to the t530. This connects via a ribbon cable to the ethernet socket which is at the bottom right in the photo.

The knockout knocked out from the metal chassis to provide the space on the back panel for mounting the ethernet socket.

The bracket that carried the VGA socket. Luckily this can be reused to take the ethernet socket.

This shows the ex-VGA_socket bracket and how it fits in the knockout hole. You will need to fashion something similar to carry the ethernet socket.