PFSense Build - New to PFsense
-
Recently started using PFsense and seems to be working out really well. I wanted to pickup a small 1U server to continue learning and testing. With that said, I found a low cost server from a local surplus. Certainly as you are aware there is always something better with a cost :)
Can you let me know your thoughts on this server:
From what I have researched:- The Xeon E5-2630V1 does support AES-NI
- The motherboard will support a V2 chip
https://www.theserverstore.com/supermicro-1u-12-core-64gb-ram-4x-trays-performance-black-riday-special.html
This is a Pre-Configured Server with the Following Configuration
Supermicro 1U Server W/ X9DRD-IT+
2x Intel Xeon E5-2630v1 2.30GHz 6 Core
32GB Ram
4x Trays W/ Screws
Integrated Sata Controller
Backplane: SAS815TQ
Integrated X540 Dual Port 10GBase-T Network
No Riser Included
Rack Rails available -
What do you intend to use that for? It would be massively oversized for most pfSense deployments if you're using it bare metal.
Steve
-
@stephenw10 - it would be bare metal and I only have 400/20 Spectrum. Only $200, that's what's catching my eye I guess. Thanks for replying!
-
Well with dual 95W CPUs it's going to be loud. And it will consume significant power.
If I was running that 24/7 I would use it as a VM host and run pfSense as a VM. At least that way you could make better use of the hardware.
Steve
-
@stephenw10 - Great point, thanks for the input. I did give them a call and they stated it was the longer length server. Unfortunately, my rack does not support the longer length servers :(
-
@grimmsh0t said in PFSense Build - New to PFsense:
Only $200, that's what's catching my eye I guess
This is a problem quite often - oh this rocketship falls into my budget.. But it will suck up 30X the power of something proper sized for use. And blow through "savings" in a year, especially if your in an area where there is higher cost electric.
They also normally sound like a jet taking off ;)
-
@johnpoz - Really appreciate the input, seems my home lab is always changing so its a constant money pit. Think I'll pass on the server!
Thank you everyone for your input....
Great forums and very informative!
-
@grimmsh0t said in PFSense Build - New to PFsense:
seems my home lab is always changing so its a constant money pit.
Well lab are yeah money pits ;) Not all that bad for "lab" use when your going to turn on the stuff here and there to lab something..
But 24/7 is not a "lab" ;)
See all the time elsewhere where "labs" are a subject -- that is not a lab.. That is your network, and your tinkering with it.. .Sorry but something that is on 24/7 and use every day for file storage and other things like plex and whatever - is not a lab ;) Its your network..
And neither is your soho router and a raspberry pi - hehehe
To me a lab is something doesn't matter if on or off, has no effect on your normal network.. Wife has no clue if your lab is on or off.. You could blow it up from a config standpoint, and your normal network users wouldn't have a clue.. Then its a lab.. If your tinkering around and wife screams hey what happened to the internet, good hint its not a "lab" ;)
Now you can lab stuff on your network ;) But if someone could scream hey X not working where your doing it.. Its not a lab - hehehe.