Desktop Appliance Upgrade Options
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I am considering buying one of the desktop appliances with pfsense and am wondering what hardware upgrade options there are?
So for example, is it possible to upgrade things like the cpu, ram, and storage after purchase? Are there extra spaces/slots for upgrade or can the stock parts be replaced?
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@djtech2k “it depends”…some have documentation for things like m.2 installs. https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/product-manuals.html
Others are available in base and max versions. Some have no memory slots etc. Not sure how self upgrades affect warranty. -
I have the 2100 MAX I was able to upgrade the SSD as well as add a small external HDD for use with swap when it updates clamAV in the early morning. I was also able to add an internal WiFi card, you can add specific things but memory and cpu you are stuck with.
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None of our current desktop appliances have removable/upgradable CPU or RAM. But all except the 1100 can have storage added or replaced.
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Thanks, thats what I needed to know. I am looking at boxes like the 4200 or others in that ballpark, but there's no way I want to go with just 4gb of RAM on a pfsense device.
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@djtech2k What are you running on it that you need more?
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Indeed 4GB is far more than most pfSense installs ever use. Usually you'd only ever need more for pkgs with all the lists pulled in on a high traffic link.
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Well as of now my plan is to run pfsense with some of the add-on packages. I suppose I am coming from the perspective that when getting a piece of hardware, the difference between 4GB or RAM and 8 or 16 is almost pennies now. I look at it from the perspective of why build something so small, especially when it cannot upgraded?
I have a basic picture of using pfsense for basic stuff but I know my use/needs will grow over time just like it always does. So I always want plenty of capacity to "grow" with over time. That is also why I was hoping to get something with like an Intel N100 as a starter device. Its still cheap, low power consumption, but the specs are good for more functionality and future growth.
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If there is one CPU I would not get it's an N100. There are numerous threads here with users having issues with that platform. It's possible that's just because the companies that are shipping them seem to use incredibly variable firmware quality. But I would still avoid if possible.
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I am unaware of that but bad firmware does make sense.
Even like the N5095 or N5105 would be a lot better in terms of performance specs/rating.
