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    Hardware for Pfsense Load Balancing

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    • W
      wallabybob
      last edited by

      @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.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • R
        rabbyweb
        last edited by

        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

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • stephenw10S
          stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
          last edited by

          @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

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          • R
            rabbyweb
            last edited by

            LAN interface: Realtel PCIe FE

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • stephenw10S
              stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
              last edited by

              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

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • R
                rabbyweb
                last edited by

                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.

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                • stephenw10S
                  stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                  last edited by

                  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

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                  • R
                    rabbyweb
                    last edited by

                    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

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • stephenw10S
                      stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                      last edited by

                      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

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                      • R
                        rabbyweb
                        last edited by

                        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?

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • stephenw10S
                          stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                          last edited by

                          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

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                          • R
                            rabbyweb
                            last edited by

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

                            Thanks

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • stephenw10S
                              stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                              last edited by

                              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

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                              • R
                                rabbyweb
                                last edited by

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

                                Which PFsense need to download  from download link

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • stephenw10S
                                  stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                  last edited by

                                  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

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