Installing on a laptop - using NIC and Wifi possible?

Just-ify · Aug 4, 2014, 9:28 AM

Hi folks

I would like to setup PFsense on an unused Dell laptop to shape network traffic. As I understand it, PFsense requires two NICs, since it is a laptop and only has one NIC and a Wifi card - would I be able to use it in this configuration or does one strictly have to use two ethernet ports?

The scenario is that my internet feed comes via an ADSL router (with Wifi).

Many thanks

NOYB · Aug 4, 2014, 10:45 PM

Only one physical NIC is necessary if it is connected to a VLAN capable switch. For SOHO I like the Cisco SG200-08. This is the way many, myself included, use pfSense on a repurposed notebook.

Another option, which I did at first before delving into VLANs, is to use a PC Card NIC if the notebook has slot for one. Or some have even used a USB NIC. The big stumbling block will be FreeBSD driver availability.

Good luck. Think you'll enjoy it.

stephenw10 · Aug 4, 2014, 11:40 PM

You can use a wifi card as one of your interfaces though. As long as it's supported.

Steve

Just-ify · Aug 5, 2014, 6:52 AM

@stephenw10:

You can use a wifi card as one of your interfaces though. As long as it's supported.

Steve

Thanks Steve )

stephenw10 · Aug 5, 2014, 9:03 AM

A couple of things to watch out for if you do go that route.
Support for wireless hardware in 2.1.X is limited. You may find your wifi nic in the laptop isn't supported at all.
If it is supported and you assign it as LAN things can get a bit tricky because you won't able to connect to it until you've configured it but usually you would use LAN to do that. ::) You would have to connect to the webgui via the WAN whicn means working around the firewall which will block that by default.

Steve