Hardware for Pfsense Load Balancing

stephenw10

You can load balance 10 1Mbps connections but you will only get 10Mbps with 10 sessions each using 1Mbps. You cannot get a single 10Mbps pipe to, for example, download a single file at 10Mbps.
To do that you must use multilink PPP or some other form of ppp bonding to combine all 10 conncetions. This must be supported by your ISP. See:
http://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/Multi-Link_PPP_%28MP/MLPPP%29

Almost any hardware will be fine for 10x1Mbps connections, if you have enough NICs or use VLANs.

Steve

rabbyweb

Thanks for replay, For NICs
what Network cards I can user
can i have some Network card model with 4-5 port and parfectly fork for Pfsense for Load balancing.

I don't need to download a single file 10mbps.
This system for Mini WISP. where user will get only 512kbps download speed.

Thanks

wallabybob

@rabbyweb:

can i have some Network card model with 4-5 port

For more than a couple of ports, a VLAN capable switch can be a more economical solution than multiple ports.

New, a four port PCI card is likely to cost around US$100. For that sum it is possible to get a VLAN capable switch of at least 8 ports which could be used: 1 switch port carrying multiple VLANs to pfSense and the remaining ports to ADSL lines.

The economics and availability in Bangladesh might be very different.

rabbyweb

thanks for advice wallabybob
can I have model for VLAN capable switch
please give me whole configuration which I need for my project.

I hove in Bangladesh will be more economical
coz In Bangladesh doesn't have any vat/tax in Computer/computer hardware.

Thanks

wallabybob

@rabbyweb:

please give me whole configuration which I need for my project.

I don't know enough about your environment to do that.

Multiport LAN cards can sometimes be purchased on eBay. For new multiport LAN cards see http://www.soekris.com, LAN16x1 and LAN1741.

The Netgear GS108T is an 8 port VLAN capable switch that seems well regarded in the forums.

The Mikrotik RB250GS is an economical 5 port VLAN capable switch.

The TP-Link TL-SL2210WEB and TL-SG3210 are both VLAN capable. I have good results from an HP/Procurve 1700-8G which seems to be no longer available new.

Some companies use different model numbers in different countries so you should check the details with the suppliers. In particular, model numbers that resemble those quoted might not have VLAN support. A good starting point could be to ask about managed switches with support for IEEE 802.11Q VLANs.

Growing bandwidth by adding 1Mbps ADSL links doesn't seem very scalable. For the future it might be worth talking with your bandwidth provider about using wireless links. Ubiquity (http://www.ubnt.com), Microtik (http://www.mikrotik.com) and others sell wireless gear claimed to be capable of 10s of megabits per second over 10s of kilometres for under a couple of hundred dollars an end.

rabbyweb

Hi,
I have Mikrotik RB750, Can I use it for my this operation.
and
I have a chines laptop with
CPU: Intel Atom D425 1.80 GHz
Memory: 1GB DDR3
one lan
another one lan on USB.

this laptop will be comfortable with pfsense.
or May I use VMware.
thanks

stephenw10

@rabbyweb:

I have Mikrotik RB750, Can I use it for my this operation.

Probably but it will require some complex configuring to make it function as a switch with vlans. Also it only has 5 ports so you will only be able to have 4 WAN interfaces. A real vlan capable switch with 16 ports would be much better. Something like a Netgear GS116E or GS116T.

@rabbyweb:

I have a chines laptop with
CPU: Intel Atom D425 1.80 GHz
Memory: 1GB DDR3
one lan
another one lan on USB.

this laptop will be comfortable with pfsense.
or May I use VMware.
thanks

It will probably work fine, most Atom systems do. What LAN interface does it use?

Steve

rabbyweb

LAN interface: Realtel PCIe FE

stephenw10

The exact chip number would give us a better idea. It will probably work but 10/100 Realtek NICs do not have a good reputation under FreeBSD, and hence pfSense.

Steve

rabbyweb

Hi I have a old desktop
Intel Chips 865
P4 pin 2.4ghz
ram 512 DDR
HDD 40gb
Lan Realtek RT8139

Can I use this for pfsense.

stephenw10

Yes that will work equally well. It will use a lot more power though. ;)
The 8139 is definitely supported but has an equally bad reputation. If you have any choice you should try to use Intel NICs.

Steve

rabbyweb

I need good work without bad reputation.
Can I have Intel NICs model.
Also if you recommend motherboard, CPU, without bad reputation.
It'll be best suggestion for me.

Thanks

stephenw10

A lot of people are using Realtek 8139 NICs with no problems at all.
Try using the hardware you already have to test your setup. Don't spend money before you have to.

Steve

rabbyweb

Thanks a lot,
I'm trying to find Netgear GS116E for Vlan.
But In my location available TRENDnet product.
In case If I fail to find Netgear, Then can I try
TRENDnet Product, For that can I have the model
for TRENDnet 16 port which capable vlan and will
work on pfsense.

I found TRENDnet TEG-S160TX.
will it work?

stephenw10

No.
The TEG-S160TX is an unmanaged switch. It doesn't support VLAN tagging/untagging.
You need a managed switch so that you can configure it for 10 VLANs. The TEG-160WS is such a switch but it has GBIC slots that you don't need.

Steve

rabbyweb

How many Lan card I need in the desktop.
Or can I have the design, How it'll connect with Netgear GS116E

Thanks

stephenw10

You only need one NIC in the desktop, all your other interfaces become VLAN ports on the switch.
This is known as a 'router on a stick' config.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-armed_router

Steve

rabbyweb

Intel Chips 865
P4 pin 2.4ghz
ram 512 DDR
HDD 40gb
Lan Realtek RT8139

Which PFsense need to download from download link

stephenw10

For a full install, from CD to the harddrive, you need the i386 ISO. I don't know which mirror is best for you, Italy perhaps. :-
http://pfsense.mirror.range-id.it/downloads/pfSense-2.0.1-RELEASE-i386.iso.gz

Steve