Best Mini PC Options to Consider
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Just planning my next upgrade and I am very interested in going the mini PC route. There are some compelling options from MINISFORUM such as the link below.
The intel versions sport 2(x) 10Gb ports and 2(x) 2.5Gb ports. Combined with the high clock speeds and core counts, the MINISFORUM MS-01 with any Intel CPU looks to be a great pfSense box.
Has anyone tried one of these yet, talk me out or into this idea...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D45GCBND/?coliid=I2VQ9B9YSE1BQW&colid=50RKJITHGUZ9&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1
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@ngr2001 said in Best Mini PC Options to Consider:
talk me out or into this idea..
Ok, it has an audio jack. Totally useless on a firewall.
Looks like a good choice to me. Drop 8GB of RAM, maybe 16GB plus an oversized m.2 you are good to go. 4 Ports is plenty for most installs, especially home use.
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Does it have intel nics?? If not , in my opinion its a wot.
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According to the documentation, the 2x SFP+ ports are provided via an Intel X710. The 2x RJ-45 ports are powered by an Intel I226-LM. The AMD version of this box throws a Realtek into the mix, hence I would not recommend that route.
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Watch out for vPro blocking DHCP on the 2nd i226 NIC.
See: https://forum.netgate.com/topic/188858/issues-installing-pfsense-ce-on-a-minisforum-ms-01-baremetal-with-new-beta7-installer
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I just noticed that the RJ45 ports are 2 different nics, 1 is a I226-LM and the other is a I226-V. I believe the V nic is of lesser quality and does not support VLANs either, probably contributing to the DHCP issue I guess. If I were to use this box I would stick with the 2X SFP+ ports and get a rj45 transceiver for them.
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Both will work with VLANs. It may not have some offloading but you can do VLANs entirely in software if needed.
