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    How do I use the LTE capabilities

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Wireless
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    • G
      gzorn
      last edited by

      If you're interested in cellular wireless as a WAN, I recommend getting a separate Cellular modem device that serves the cellular signal to ethernet clients. You can plug that into a pfsense box and you can treat it like any other WAN connection (though most cellular connections are behind NAT).
      I use the Netgear LB1120 (4G-LTE) for this. https://www.netgear.com/home/mobile-wifi/lte-modems/lb1120/

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      • D
        Darkn3ssF4lls @gzorn
        last edited by

        Thank you @gzorn --I move around a lot-- so my goal is to kind of have this as a network in a box solution. So I see that it has basically two card slots inside so ideally one would be for the 5G / LTE antenna device and the other would be for a low power radio good enough for a hotel room type of deal.

        G JKnottJ 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • G
          gzorn @Darkn3ssF4lls
          last edited by

          @darkn3ssf4lls
          Which computing hardware are you planning on using with pfsense? Are you going to use a Netgate appliance? Or will you roll your own with a Protectli box or similar? It wasn't clear from your OP.

          It seems there are cellular modems available in an m.2 format, but the availability of freebsd drivers may be an issue.

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          • JKnottJ
            JKnott @Darkn3ssF4lls
            last edited by

            @darkn3ssf4lls said in How do I use the LTE capabilities:

            I move around a lot-- so my goal is to kind of have this as a network in a box solution.

            If you don't want to use a separate cell router, you can tether to your cell phone. I've even configured an interface in pfSense for that.

            PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
            i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
            UniFi AC-Lite access point

            I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

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            • D
              Darkn3ssF4lls @gzorn
              last edited by

              Sorry @gzorn , I currently own a Negate 2100.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • D
                Darkn3ssF4lls @JKnott
                last edited by

                Thank you @jknott , I'm really just trying to generate a core device that can talk to the ISP (cable / DSL) and backup (LTE+ ). This product form factor is perfect but I am such a novice at this os that I don't know what the two sata m.2's are good at.

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                • G
                  gzorn @Darkn3ssF4lls
                  last edited by

                  @darkn3ssf4lls
                  Others have travelled this path and it seems difficult, particularly for a beginner.
                  Take a look at: https://forum.netgate.com/topic/175737/netgate-2100-micro-sim-4g-lte-5g

                  That's the limit of my knowledge. Good luck.

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                  • stephenw10S
                    stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                    last edited by

                    Yeah that thread has most of the details.

                    It can work with the right hardware.
                    There is often some work to be done to the modem to prepare it.
                    When it does work the link speed will never be that special. The most I've seen is ~40Mbps.

                    Steve

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                    • D
                      Darkn3ssF4lls @stephenw10
                      last edited by

                      @stephenw10 Thank you, it seems that the most efficient way might just be getting that second device. Seems like a waste of luggage space though to have to things doing similar tasks.

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                      • stephenw10S
                        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                        last edited by

                        It may be. An external Ethernet connected device will definitely work and will give you better speeds.

                        It can work using a modem in the 2100 though and the hardware to do it is relatively cheap as a used device. It really depends how much time you can afford to spend on the project. I did it for fun so... 😉

                        Steve

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