New build on CybertronPC Quantum XL2010

[stephenw10]

This post seems to indicate you'll need to use 2.1:

@Psychoholic:

I picked one of these up last week myself.

Unless I'm doing something wrong, 2.0.2 does not recognize the NICs, however 2.1BETA seems to be working fine, though I have not yet put it into production - if you can call a home network "production" :)

With beta, I initially had an issue where neither interface would function (despite ifconfig reporting up for both) until I ran ifconfig down/up for each interface.  After clearing the CMOS all was well.

Steve

[rjcrowder]

This looks like a pretty nice, inexpensive option. http://forum.pfsense.org/index.php/topic,60336 Dual Broadcomm nics.

[b3nitro]

Thank you stephenw10,

That board may ruin my first experience with pfsense, I'll try to find another one ^^

[b3nitro]

That board have Intel 82574L Gigabit Ethernet wich is supported by the em(4) driver :
https://www-ssl.intel.com/content/www/us/en/motherboards/desktop-motherboards/desktop-board-d2700mud.html

Only one NIC but have PCI slot available for another ethernet NIC, exit my old Linksys Wireless G ^^

[b3nitro]

I also found that interresting : http://www.ncix.ca/products/?sku=76623&vpn=XH61V&manufacture=Shuttle&promoid=1360
But + CPU + RAM + Shipping ~ 320$CAN
Similar build here : http://forum.pfsense.org/index.php/topic,56950.0.html

I also found a cheap 1U case with PSU  :o : http://www.supermicro.com/products/chassis/1u/503/sc503l-200.cfm 90$
But I'll have to cut the backplane and use a PCI vertical to horizontal adapter. It's not a big deal.. PCI connector will be sideway and the whole thing will became ugly  :-\

I think I'll stay with my last plan of : https://www-ssl.intel.com/content/www/us/en/motherboards/desktop-motherboards/desktop-board-d2700mud.html

• 2gb kingston RAM + Intel PCI NIC + Cheap case & Psu (IN WIN BP655), around 220$ before shipping

Other ideas ?

[tirsojrp]

For the PCI nic you could try an Pro MT dual port, they are quite cheap on ebay. It is a PCI-X card, but works on standard PCI ports too.

[b3nitro]

Yes good advice, I just ordered one of these

I have another question now.. If I eventually want 2 have 2 wireless ap (guest/private) and few computer wich I want to be accessible from/to the private wireless.
Is it better to have a switch with VLANs support : http://www.netgear.com/business/products/switches/smart-switches/smart-switches/gs108t.aspx

Option 1:

-modem (interface0)
–pfsense firewall
---switch (~8ports or more with vlans support on interface1)
----wireless ap (guest)
----wireless ap (private)
----computer 1 (ethernet)
----computer 2 (ethernet)
----laptop (wireless)
----nas (ethernet)
----mediacenter (ethernet)
And group all ports of the switch in VLAN1 to access each others except the wireless ap guest to put in another VLAN

Option 2:

-modem (interface0)
--pfsense firewall
---wireless ap (guest on interface1)
---wireless router (private interface2)
----computer 1 (ethernet)
----computer 2 (ethernet)
----laptop (wireless)
----nas (ethernet)
----mediacenter (ethernet)
Then making sure the wireless AP cant access the router and vice versa

Option 3:

-modem (interface0)
--pfsense firewall
---wireless ap (guest interface1)
---switch (~8ports or more with vlans support on interface2)
----wireless ap (private)
----computer 1 (ethernet)
----computer 2 (ethernet)
----laptop (wireless)
----nas (ethernet)
----mediacenter (ethernet)
Then making sure the wireless AP cant access the switch and vice versa

Appears to me that the first solution (if it can work) with the switch is the "simpliest", give me more room to expend in the future and very flexible (adding another swith as VLAN3 for servers or direct plug them in the main switch). (switch + 2x wireless ap)
The second option is the cheaper and should work (router + 1 wireless ap)
The third option is in-between and use the 3 interfaces (wireless ap + switch + wireless ap)

Other ideas ?

[stephenw10]

Some wifi access points can support multiple virtual access points and tag each to separate vlan. You may be able to load openwrt/dd-wrt onto your AP to enable this functionality.

Steve

[b3nitro]

Ok, if I understand correctly some ap have that functionality built in but any ap that support dd/open-wrt can do it ? I mean, is it mainly software related or also hardware

Thank you again :)

[stephenw10]

Exactly. It is mostly software related because almost all soho style routers use VLANs internally anyway. Some wifi chipsets are not capable of supporting virtual access points however. It's worth looking into however because it's a zero cost option.  ;)

Steve

[b3nitro]

Just ordered my components, 240$ tax and shipping included

Had to change the motherboard because that one was BO, the other one is almost the same except video output is DVI+HDMI.
Also paid a little extra to get a Norco 2U case + An old but new Antec TruePower II 380w :D
Found the Gbit adapter on ebay for 25$ so total setup is ~265$ and Rackmountable :D

Swith and AP will follow once I've built my Nas and Home server (both are currently virtual machine on my workstation)
For now I'll use my Linksys WRT54G as AP+Switch

[b3nitro]

Little update on the topic few months later ^^ (Quite busy past weeks)

Finally I got a Supermicro 1U with included PSU for 90$

I've modified the case a little bit since the Nic did not fit well with the adapter I found, made new holes, moved the mobo, painted the case and hooked up everything.

Note: Supermicro chassis have a 1piece connector for front buttons & led that dont fit with desktop motherboards, had to figure out wich part of the plug controlled power&reset then simply put the connector sideways to get theses switch working. (adapter available on supermicro website)

Installed everything yesterday as basic setup, added pfBlock and snort today ;D

See pictures below.

I just ordered a 12inches quiet fan and I will remove the blower, open up the psu remove its little fan also and let the psu open in the case. Then I'll put the quiet fan in push configuration above the mobo and remove the shitty middle wall. Currently the setup is 26Db at 3feet, hope it will help

Thank you all