Hardware for Pfsense Load Balancing

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