*AIO* All-in-one box

jonesr

Just to check, when I suggested 2.2.1 it hadn't been released yet and was available as a preview build. It was released for production in the last 24 hours, so are you using the actual release 2.2.1?

I updated to 2.2.1 this morning, no boot issues for me but I use an Atheros Mini PCIe card. Have you tried booting without the USB wireless devices plugged in to confirm that is what stops it booting?

McCount

I installed the actual 2.2.1 release.

Booting without the USB wifi devices is no problem.
Started the web configuration and then plugged in the devices (run0 & run1).
After assigning them to OPT1 and WAN the system reboots.

jonesr

Even if this makes a difference I am not sure how it helps you, but could you try plugging in and assigning just the WAN USB stick? I have seen systems (not pfSense, just computers in general) struggle with two or more identical USB devices, it may not be either one but a combination of both causing the fault.

Sorry I can't help with your actual problem but if just one stick works but not both it may help someone else assist you.

McCount

okay, I tested it this way and plugged in only 1 USB adapter, but without luck.
The system still reboots. :(

kejianshi

So, now that you have all this USB NIC experience, what will you be recommending for people considering USB NICs in the future?

McCount

I think that this is a problem with the internal handling (drivers?) in pfSense, because the scenario (2x USB wireless NIC for WAN and OPT1) is working on OPNsense (v15.1.7.2) without errors… 8)

If I had the option to use external APs via cable, then I would perhaps prefer this way.
But I have only 1 internal NIC (for LAN) and there is no way to install an additional card.

So, my recommendation is:
If it is possible to use external APs --> use them
If it is NOT possible --> wait for working update/release (or use OPNsense instead)

For now I use OPNsense, but I will switch if there is a working version of pfSense.

kejianshi

Me, on the other hand. I'd have gone with something that allows as many physical interfaces as I need to begin with. If only 2 is available (1 WAN and 1 LAN), but I needed say 4 interfaces, I'd use pfsense + a vlan switch.

Switching to another distro is also an answer I guess if it gives you what you need but I think much of your pain has been self inflicted. (I've been there myself)

The real lesson I see here (and in other threads daily) is ask before you buy. Don't buy first then try to make it fit.

McCount

Sure, first ask then buy, but the devices worked with version 2.2 , only stability was poor.
Now they don't work with the actual 2.2.1
So I think there is a possibility that this is fixed soon 8) ;D

Overall I spent about 100-120€, what is still within my planned budget.

jonesr

I think there is also an argument for "the costs involved made X impossible from the beginning anyway, so I may as well take the zero-to-low budget Y option and make the best use of it". Not everyone can afford new computers, VLAN capable switches and multiple APs. I would agree though that if it hadn't worked he would have lost $40, and any right to complain or be surprised by any "I told you so" comments.

If MrCount has anything at all to show from something that would otherwise have gone in the bin, coupled with devices we advised him not to buy, our advice is still as valid as it was when we gave it and I would offer the same advice now, but I also congratulate him if he is happy with his ~~$40~~ 100-120€ worth of success. Of course $100s worth of success would be much more reliable but when you don't have $100s, you don't have $100s.

Well done, MrCount.

Edit - corrected prices, $127? Less economically sound as I first thought but well, the sentiment is still there!

kejianshi

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA24G2HZ3766&cm_re=vlan--33-704-224--Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833389064

jonesr

@kejianshi:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA24G2HZ3766&cm_re=vlan--33-704-224--Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833389064

I had to edit my previous post as I didn't realise how much MrCount had spent, and I see prices have gone down since I last checked, so fair enough I stand corrected and I could have done a google myself for current prices.

McCount

Well done, MrCount.

Thanks, jonesr!

And thanks kejianshi for the links.
I found them on amazon germany for a total of about 40€.
Maybe I try these in my next project… still have 2 other thin clients (T5735) waiting for action ;D 8)

A big thanks to all contributors, eyebrow-raiser and anyone interested!!
If there wouldn't have been such a big response, critic and support, maybe I would have canceled the project. :o

EDIT: just bought the switch & AP on amazon... 8)

kejianshi

Ohhhhh really? the same ones? (If its the same AP be sure to install lates firmware since every rating says it works great AFTER that update)

If so, please post here how they work. I'd be super interested since I have a small pfsense I wish to build to replace an aging DD-WRT setup.

McCount

I hope these are the same ones:
https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00N0OHEMA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
and
https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00CDJINZ0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01

I'll keep you updated as soon as I have them running.

kejianshi

Yep - I suspect that you will find that switch quite handy once you figure it out and I expect that while the AP isn't "Top of the line" it will be far more reliable than your first experience. I'm interested to know also if that AP will allow you to use those rj45 ports in "switch mode" with no DHCP on the AP. Those ports won't be fast (10/100) but should be fine for IP phones, printers etc etc.

So you should be able to get 4 ports at 10/100 off the AP for use and gigabit ports on the VLAN switch. Cheap cheap

rjcrowder

@kejianshi:

while the AP isn't "Top of the line" it will be far more reliable than your first experience

My experience has been that these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704039&cm_re=tp-link_tl-wr841n--33-704-039--Product also work well as a cheap access point…

If you want to spend a more and get a top of the line access point, I've had great luck with Asus wireless routers configured as an access point. Many people on these forums also speak well of Ubiquiti.

Any of the above will be more reliable and less painful than the AIO solution.

kejianshi

I didn't see "AP mode" as one of the possible configurations. You sure?

Sometimes turning of DHCP just doesn't have the same results as a real AP.

rjcrowder

@kejianshi:

I didn't see "AP mode" as one of the possible configurations. You sure?

I guess some routers could have do something funny, but I've had no problem with tp-link or any commercial router (and I've tried several) shutting off DHCP and firewall functions to make it act as an access point.

~So with some wireless testing this week i discovered that 4 Access Points on one ATH module is possible. So in reality this Original Posters project was doable with a low profile PCI adapter and a good Mini PCI module. One wireless network for backhaul, and one for the AP.

I currently have 3 wireless networks running from one card. One bridged interface, One Guest Hotspot and Captive portal site/interface. All using one Atheros mini pci-e module.
All 3 on different channels all on 5GHZ

The problem with my Mini-PCI to slim PCI adapter approach here is that all MiniPCI modules were only 2X MIMO so most you could pump out would be 150M single channel/per antenna to each link. For 5-8 Users that single 150M link AP sounds skimpy.