Pfsense Hardware
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Hello,
I'm planning to build my own pfsense system, it should have at least 3 x 1000 Mbit/s ethernet ports and WiFi 300 Mbit/s n standard.
What hardware could fulfill my needs and is supported by pfsense?
I also want to run squid, snort and maybe captive portal on it.Much appreciated for any recommendations.
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You didn't mention how much throughput you expect to get. This page is a good place to start.
http://www.pfsense.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=52&Itemid=49
This page lists compatible components.
http://www.freebsd.org/releases/7.2R/hardware.html
Intel or Broadcom gbit NICs are generally recommended for high throughput deployment.
As for 802.11n, you're probably better off getting a dedicated access point. I don't know if any adapters are supported in FreeBSD, but if you are set on going that way then start by looking at Atheros. Ubiquiti has some stuff that is generally pretty open.
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There are a couple types of 802.11n adapters supported in 2.0 (one of them also works in 1.2.3 as well), but 802.11n rates are not yet supported, unfortunately. You will need an external access point if you want 802.11n rates.
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Hi all,
thank you very much for your replies, i will definetly use a separate access point for 802.11nCould i use this board?
http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/ATOM/ICH9/X7SPA.cfm?typ=H
According to the hardware list, ich9 should be supported, but no idea if intel Atom D510 is supported.
NIC throughput is the most important, should i better use a another board with a intel I3 or I5 processor?How about the network card? Can i use a Supermicro AOC-SG-i2, it has the Intel 82575EB chipset, but only 82575 is listed in the hardware compatibility list.
For the disk i planned to use a SATA Flash module.
http://www.delock.de/produkte/suche/Delock_SATA_Flash_Modul_4GB_Vertikal_54163.html?setLanguage=ENPlease suggest real hardware parts because i really have difficulties to find them.
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According to the hardware list, ich9 should be supported, but no idea if intel Atom D510 is supported.
Any x86 CPU will work fine, especially Intel.
NIC throughput is the most important, should i better use a another board with a intel I3 or I5 processor?
What kind of throughput are you actually planning for? If you want wire speed on your 3 GBE then atom isn't going to cut it. Not even for a single GBE. An i3 or i5 would do lots better. My impression is that pf (your throughput bottleneck) doesn't really thread much, so it's probably not worth paying for a lot of extra cores, unless I'm mistaken.
How about the network card? Can i use a Supermicro AOC-SG-i2, it has the Intel 82575EB chipset, but only 82575 is listed in the hardware compatibility list.
That could be a problem. search the forum and the web. Chances are somebody has tried.
For the disk i planned to use a SATA Flash module.
http://www.delock.de/produkte/suche/Delock_SATA_Flash_Modul_4GB_Vertikal_54163.html?setLanguage=ENVery cool looking part. Would be nice on boards that don't have a CF slot and you don't want to bother with a CF/IDE adapter.
Please suggest real hardware parts because i really have difficulties to find them.
Other than the possibly-unsupported NIC I don't think you have too much to worry about there.
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The throughput i want to reach should be above 500 Mbit/s for at least 2 of the 3 GBE. The third one will be used for WAN and therefore 200 Mbit/s is enough for this.
Here are my new thoughts, should be completely compatible, using a Intel E8400 3.0 Ghz.
Mainboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182152&Tpk=C2SBM-Q
The onboard NIC 82566DM should work as of http://forum.pfsense.org/index.php?topic=11901.msg65215, otherwise i can still install
a single port Intel PCI Nic.Memory http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134641&Tpk=KVR800D2N6K2%2f4G
CPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037Net Adapter (82571EB) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833106014&Tpk=EXPI9402PT
Any comments, advices? Should i change something?
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As far as I can tell your parts all look compatible. The E8400 looks like a good choice for the throughput you're looking for. Should mae for an interesting unit. Be sure to post some observations when you get it up and running. :)