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    Intel NUC + switch. Is this possible?

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    • A
      Applied
      last edited by

      @gelcom:

      what options do you suggest with a small footprint and enough power for less then USD250? PfSesnse store offer a similar product VK-T40E2 Firewall Router Security Appliance
      at $449.00!!

      Rebranded PC Engines APU1C.

      Alternatively:
      http://store.netgate.com/NetgateAPU2.aspx

      There might some differences in detail.
      Also beware, the linked wall mount bracket is not recommend by manufacturer (for the APU's higher thermal envelope).

      I know, it's more than $250. But rather closer to it.

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

        You really have to define what you're after more closely.
        You have only a 50Mbps WAN so, yes, in theory the m1n1wall (ALIX) will pass that no problem. It has ~85Mbps capability. However if you want to run any packages you will soon see a restriction below 50Mbps. More importantly all your inter-VLAN traffic will have to go through the pfSense box and you may well want that to be >50Mbps.

        @razzfazz:

        Would that processor be able to route / filter more than 1Gbps to begin with?

        No I don't believe it could. If you look at the Celeron N2820s single thread performance it's very close to a Pentium-M at 17GHz. I have that chip and it can manage ~650Mbps. The Celeron will be slightly faster since it can offload other processes to other cores. I have to say I'm not sure I can believe that benchmark figure, I expect it to be much faster.  ???

        Steve

        Edit: typo

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        • G
          gelcom
          last edited by

          @Applied:

          Rebranded PC Engines APU1C.

          Alternatively:
          http://store.netgate.com/NetgateAPU2.aspx

          But these devices also feature Realtek NICs. Are they supported on PfSense?

          The 1 GHz Dual Core AMD G Series can handle how much traffic?

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          • A
            Applied
            last edited by

            @stephenw10:

            More importantly all your inter-VLAN traffic will have to go through the pfSense box and you well want that to be >50Mbps.

            That's why I wouldn't feel good about having only one NIC, and a Realtek at that. Also, there doesn't seem to be any sensible way of expansion later.

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • ?
              Guest
              last edited by

              @gelcom:

              @Applied:

              Rebranded PC Engines APU1C.

              Alternatively:
              http://store.netgate.com/NetgateAPU2.aspx

              But these devices also feature Realtek NICs. Are they supported on PfSense?

              The 1 GHz Dual Core AMD G Series can handle how much traffic?

              I think 'rebranded' is a bit strong, but … whatever.

              Yes, pfSense supports the Realtek NICs on the APU board(s).

              The issue with throughput seems to be limited by the NICs, not the CPU, but as always, YMMV.

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              • R
                razzfazz
                last edited by

                @Applied:

                @stephenw10:

                More importantly all your inter-VLAN traffic will have to go through the pfSense box and you well want that to be >50Mbps.

                That's why I wouldn't feel good about having only one NIC, and a Realtek at that.

                Huh? If the CPU can't push more than 50mbps to begin with, what do you think you'll gain from having multiple NICs vs. VLANs on a single NIC?

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                • B
                  bennyc
                  last edited by

                  @razzfazz:

                  @Applied:

                  @stephenw10:

                  More importantly all your inter-VLAN traffic will have to go through the pfSense box and you well want that to be >50Mbps.

                  That's why I wouldn't feel good about having only one NIC, and a Realtek at that.

                  Huh? If the CPU can't push more than 50mbps to begin with, what do you think you'll gain from having multiple NICs vs. VLANs on a single NIC?

                  To differ on this: if you don't need much hocus-pocus between the vlans (traffic shaping, limiting, policy-based routing, extensive acl's, or any other goodie from pfSense) go with a L3 switch, and let that one do the intervlan routing. Way more effective. Then you're less restricted on what to use for pfSense HW?

                  4x XG-7100 (2xHA), 1x SG-4860, 1x SG-2100
                  1x PC Engines APU2C4, 1x PC Engines APU1C4

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • G
                    gelcom
                    last edited by

                    In this case I suppose the better option would be a 4+ port box. Any suggestions with a small size and power requirements gigabit NIC for under USD 300?

                    Is this product a good offer considering its price target?  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ESMUF7O/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller=

                    kind regards

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                    • R
                      robi
                      last edited by

                      You could also go for a Layer3 switch, and have routing between VLANs done by it. That will save your NUC from a lot of traffic, it will only handle access between WAN and the VLANs.

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                      • A
                        Applied
                        last edited by

                        @razzfazz:

                        Huh? If the CPU can't push more than 50mbps to begin with

                        Why shouldn't it?
                        Even the (in terms of performance) ancient ALIX' 500MHz Geode can push more than 50mbps.
                        The Celeron should be capable of  multiple times higher throughput.

                        I think shoehorning all traffic through one NIC is definitely not going to help with performance.
                        Also, I believe there are some practical considerations why a 2- or 3-port device is preferable (management access, dedicated WAN).

                        L3 switch seems a sensible idea as well, if budget allows.

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                        • R
                          razzfazz
                          last edited by

                          @Applied:

                          @razzfazz:

                          Huh? If the CPU can't push more than 50mbps to begin with

                          Why shouldn't it?

                          This was in reference to the Alix board, but I really meant 85mbps (which is what somebody claimed the ALIX is good for), not 50mbps.

                          @Applied:

                          Even the (in terms of performance) ancient ALIX' 500MHz Geode can push more than 50mbps.
                          The Celeron should be capable of  multiple times higher throughput.

                          I think shoehorning all traffic through one NIC is definitely not going to help with performance.
                          Also, I believe there are some practical considerations why a 2- or 3-port device is preferable (management access, dedicated WAN).

                          Just from a performance perspective, using separate physical links instead of VLANs on a single link will not buy you anything unless you're actually bottlenecked by that link. So if your CPU isn't fast enough to be able to saturate a single link, having additional links will not get you better performance.

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                          • G
                            gelcom
                            last edited by

                            Ok. A Celeron won't make the gigabit.

                            What if I get a NUC i5-4250U Processor and then replace the HDD with a mini PCI-E dual gigabit NIC card?

                            There are some options like:

                            a) http://www.cervoz.com/uploaded/datasheet/Datasheet_MEC-LAN-M002.pdf
                            b) http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mini-PCI-Express-PCIe-Gigabit-Ethernet-x2-Network-Adapter-NIC-Card-2-Port-/221070821678?pt=UK_Computing_Other_Computing_Networking&hash=item3378d9092e

                            and others.

                            By doing that I'll have an i5 with 3 gigabit ports to run all my network. I'll connect one of the ports through a layer2 capable switch.

                            Inside the NUC there is also a half size mini PCI-E port for the WIFI card I won't use. Is there any other mini PCIe card that fits in there so I can get 2 more NIC in my NUC? If I can do this I'll have an i5 with 5 gigabit NIC for under $500 with low power and small size. Just what I need.

                            I'm not sure either if this half size PCIe slot is shared with the full size PCIe slot … anyone familiar with the NUC's hardware?

                            Any toughts on that sub $500 i5 more then quad gigabit NIC with small form factor and low energy consumption?

                            kind regards

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                            • G
                              gelcom
                              last edited by

                              Any ideas, please?

                              kind regards

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • G
                                gelcom
                                last edited by

                                Please?

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                                • stephenw10S
                                  stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                  last edited by

                                  Not many people using NUCs and even fewer using miniPCIe NICs. There are threads here talking bo8ut both though. If I remember correctly there are miniPCIe NICs with dual Intel i350s. Those would be preferable.
                                  Are you committed to using the NUC?

                                  Steve

                                  Edit: Like this: http://www.jetway.com.tw/jw/ipcboard_view.asp?productid=873&proname=ADMPEIDLA

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