Will This Setup Work As I Think It Will?
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initially my network only consisted of one airport extreme. However I soon needed additional Ethernet adapters to run cord to additional rooms. Instead of picking up a switch I purchased another airport extreme (partially because I got it for $40 on ebay, and partially because I was unfamiliar with switches at this time)
Currently the 2nd airport extreme is being used in bridge mode giving me additional Ethernet adapters however whenever someting on my network needs to us wireless-G both airports get knocked down to wireless-G, which is noticeable. Also, when I do high iops to my server the airports both get extremely blogged down, so much so where google doesn't do the instant search and instead tells me my internet connection is too slow for that feature.
I also use opendns, but have found this to increase my ping greatly (under 25ms to over 250ms in certain circumstances) I am hoping pfsense may be able to help this, if not I would feel comfortable going back to comcast dns do to the added security provided by pfsense.
My main thing is I don't want operations down in my server to slow down every computer in my network, I also wish to have better QOS so gaming/streaming doesn't get interrupted.
I currently have the GS108T switch but I have not hooked it up let as I would rather do everything in one shot and hooking it up in my current config won't help with the airport extremes dropping from Wireless-N to Wireless-G that I am currently facing.
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I think it suffices to say that your suggested setup will be far better! :)
Steve
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Excellent!, that is what I wanted to hear. ;D , who doesn't like buying new hardware.
I will have to order the parts and break open the pfsense book now.
Thanks for all the help, it's very appreciated.
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i'm using X7SPA-HF mb in my setup… Love this freaking board!! If you can spend another 20 bucks, get the HF board. It includes IPMI management which allows remote KVM and serial console via a java session and you can mount CDs remote.
Using it on pfsense 2.0 with 2megs of memory, 50/5 cable connection, traffic shaping, snort, country-block and a few other packages... cpu is under 10%.
Remember when you are using wireless, all your wireless clients are sharing the bandwidth your access point gives. So if you have 5 clients on a G AP, they are sharing the whole 54mbs pipe. That is probably why the internet seems to be slow when your backups are running..
For a test, run your backups... then preform a speedtest via a wireless clientt then from a hardwire client... You should see a big difference.
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I was not aware everyone had to share the 54 mbs, that explains alot.
It is going to be a nice change once I get everything up and running. I am looking forward to it. I will have to make sure to decide what devices I want on each AP and filter them out via mac address on the airport extreme. I will probably let my roommate share the wireless-G AP with his wireless printer as that is the device that is making the airport stay in wireless-G. Then I can hog the wireless-N ;D Plus, as he doesn't stream anything from the server, or do backups wireless-G will be plenty for his needs.
I am glad to see a very similar build is working great for you. I have debated the HF version of the board you have however, I have a spare keyboard/monitor/cd drive so it isn't needed. It would be a nice feature to play with though, I've never used IPMI before.
Is IPMI any less secure then a motherboard without it thought?, this would be my only concern.
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Remember when you are using wireless, all your wireless clients are sharing the bandwidth your access point gives. So if you have 5 clients on a G AP, they are sharing the whole 54mbs pipe.
Yep. And it's half duplex so that's 54Mb/s total in both directions.
They don't put that in the advertising. ::)Steve
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Well that would explain my less than steller network performances.
Here I am thinking 54mbs per device per direction
when in reality it's 54 divided by about 4 devices divided by 2 directions (making some assumptions about my average traffic both ways here) so it's 1/8 of what I would already consider slow. Learn something new everyday.
All the more reason to build a pfsense box ;D not that I needed anymore justification.
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I would change your cable modem providing your ISP supports this model
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16825122009Why buy a DOCSIS 2 modem when you can get a DOCSIS 3.0 modem and be a little more future proof.
Also if you need more speed the DOCSIS 2 modem max is 38Mb/s, and most ISP's offer better packages that require the DOCSIS 3.0 modems.
For example my ISP will only let you go a max of 15Mb/s on a DOCSIS 2.0 modem.
DOCSIS 3.0 and they will let you get a 100Mb connectionSo just some food for though
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I have thought about getting that model, (should have done it when the model you listed was a shell shocker item).
I already have the one I listed. Assuming my install of pfsense goes well I will most likely up my current bandwidth allotment and then change out modems. I will defiantly put getting that model on my upgrade path.
Once again, thanks to everyone for all help and suggestions. I can not wait to get my build started.
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when in reality it's 54 divided by about 4 devices divided by 2 directions (making some assumptions about my average traffic both ways here) so it's 1/8 of what I would already consider slow. Learn something new everyday.
Worse than that even, "54" Mbps wireless can only transfer ~27 Mbps of actual traffic at best.
When Is 54 Not Equal to 54?
http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/wireless/2003/08/08/wireless_throughput.html