Netgate Discussion Forum
    • Categories
    • Recent
    • Tags
    • Popular
    • Users
    • Search
    • Register
    • Login

    Intel NUC + switch. Is this possible?

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Hardware
    25 Posts 8 Posters 11.5k Views
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • 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?

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • 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

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • 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.

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • 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.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • 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.

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • 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

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

                    Any ideas, please?

                    kind regards

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

                      Please?

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • 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

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • First post
                          Last post
                        Copyright 2025 Rubicon Communications LLC (Netgate). All rights reserved.