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    Recommendation for a 1u colocated server

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    • M
      mitzkoff
      last edited by

      I see what you mean about the content filtering, the cf-card doesn't cut it.  Do you have any recommendations for something a bit better then the Netgate 2D2?

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      • stephenw10S
        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
        last edited by

        No I have no recommendations I'm afraid.  :-
        All my pfSense experience has been with second hand equipment.
        There seems to be quite a jump from the Alix to some thing faster in price terms. The Supermicro 1U servers seem to get well received on the forum but I've never used one.

        Steve

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        • M
          mitzkoff
          last edited by

          Thanks, I was starting to see that price difference after the many hours of web searching.  The next tier looks like + $500 devices unless you diy but the mini pc market looks like a huge mess.

          I think I'll try the m1n1wall 2D3.  It can't be any worse than the D-Link, and if I somehow manage to max it out, I can always use it for home.  Thanks a lot for your time.

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          • J
            jp141
            last edited by

            Dont forget it can run on standard hardware too, you could pick up a cheap 1U HP/Dell server on ebay, just check the HW compatibility lists :)

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            • M
              mitzkoff
              last edited by

              It would be an option, but I'm trying to stay at 1u.  If the m1n1wall doesn't work out then I'll definitely try a used dell 1u.  Thanks

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              • N
                network1
                last edited by

                I've just started a similar thread looking for much the same thing.

                http://www.idotpc.com/TheStore/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=105

                http://www.arbor-usa.com/catalog/network-communications/cat_soho-small-business-server-platforms.html

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                • J
                  joako
                  last edited by

                  Personally I would get something with alot of RAM, I think snort can be very beneficial in this scenario.

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                  • S
                    Supermule Banned
                    last edited by

                    I would go for an IBM X336 1U server with 8gb ram. Works very well and can handle 1gbit throughput…

                    http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=ibm+x336+8gb&_sacat=0&_odkw=ibm+x336&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313

                    Runs like a charm 24/7/365 :)

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                    • J
                      jwelter99
                      last edited by

                      @Supermule:

                      I would go for an IBM X336 1U server with 8gb ram. Works very well and can handle 1gbit throughput…

                      http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=ibm+x336+8gb&_sacat=0&_odkw=ibm+x336&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313

                      Runs like a charm 24/7/365 :)

                      Power is a pig on those so if you are paying for VA used you are better off looking elsewhere.  But if power is unlimited they will work fine.

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                      • S
                        Supermule Banned
                        last edited by

                        Mine is currently using 160watts….so not a big issue.

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                        • J
                          jwelter99
                          last edited by

                          @Supermule:

                          Mine is currently using 160watts….so not a big issue.

                          My E3-1260L's are humming along at 68 watts (using SSD).  In our co-lo that charges $0.70/VA/month that means it's saving me about $95 a month so the payback window is short.

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                          • S
                            Supermule Banned
                            last edited by

                            What hardware do you use then to support those processors?

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                            • J
                              jwelter99
                              last edited by

                              @Supermule:

                              What hardware do you use then to support those processors?

                              Supermicro X9SCL+F board with Intel X520 gig-e SFP+ NIC.

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                              • M
                                mitzkoff
                                last edited by

                                Update

                                Hey guys, I ended up getting an alix 2d2 device from here: http://www.xagyl.com/store/product.php?productid=16296&cat=0&page=1.  It came with pfsense preinstalled on a 4gb cf-card.  I have it set up and it is working great!  It was a lot easier to setup than I thought.  It has so far been able to handle my server load with no problems at all.  I can now use all my allocated public ip's from my colocation provider all on one nic on my server!  It's great!  I will report back in a month or so with more updates.

                                Thanks everybody for all the help.

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                                • P
                                  Phonebuff
                                  last edited by

                                  One other consideration for those that come across the thread..

                                  The Soekris units 5501 & 6501 both now have a 1RU rack mount case option with internal A/C an HD options…

                                  Although I know of a number of installs using the Netgate and SuperMicro solutions mentioned and all I can say is
                                  "if it's PFSense, it's going to work" !!

                                  Happy New Year all..

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