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    Anyone here have experience with Atom-based OEM Production 2550L2D-MxPC ?

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    • P
      phreshjive
      last edited by

      SYSTEM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856205007 running a Intel Atom D2550 (1.86GHz, dual core). I just ordered it.  It was the least expensive Atom-based dual Gigabit (Broadcom) pfSense solution in a very compact form factor I found at $129.99.  Other then it not being fan-less, reviews indicate it is pretty silent and are favorable.  Wanted a forum members' perspective though.

      Edit2: After reading several reviews on the Egg, I proactively purchased off eBay a Silenx IXP-52-14 iXtrema Pro 80mm x 15mm "Silent" Fan to replace the stock one.  Might as well considering it was $8.99.

      RAM: Should I be fine running 2GBs I ordered off eBay for a whopping $4.50?

      SSD/CF/USB Key: Planning on adding a small SSD as finding an inexpensive new industrial CF card coupled with an CF to SATA converter at a reasonable price is proving to be difficult. Am nervous about using a small USB key for heat and longevity purposes.  Should I be?

      Edit1: Ended up buying an industrial grade 4GB SSD on eBay for $13.98.

      Replacing an aged Linksys WRT54Gv3 with Tomato firmware.  Wants:

      1. my PrivateInternetAccess VPN running directly on router and consumer-grade solutions that I've tried with my 30/10 Mbps connection seemingly don't have the necessary processor capability to do so without significant throughput loss.
      2. Running SIP VOIP (on Voip.ms) on a Linksys PAP2 box along with Torrents so Traffic Shapping / QoS
      3. Squid (seems very interesting)

      WIFI AP: Since I clearly haven't upgraded my networking equipment in a while, I also ordered a Ubiquiti Networks UniFi UAP-PRO (http://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Networks-UAP-PRO-Enterprise-System/dp/B0089QB1SC/). Reviews and range seem excellent.  Mentions on here and Ubiquiti's site about integration into FreeBSD of their desktop client although threads just tapered off.  Any progress?

      Thank you

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      • W
        wallabybob
        last edited by

        @phreshjive:

        RAM: Should I be fine running 2GBs I ordered off eBay for a whopping $4.50?

        256MB is enough for a basic pfSense. If the RAM is good you shouldbe fine unless you run memory hungry packages like squid and snort in which case you might need to do some tuning.

        @phreshjive:

        SSD/CF/USB Key: Planning on adding a small SSD as finding an inexpensive new industrial CF card coupled with an CF to SATA converter at a reasonable price is proving to be difficult. Am nervous about using a small USB key for heat and longevity purposes.  Should I be?

        Depends on how much and how often you write to it. I have been running my main pfSense box for over four years from a 1GB solid state disk module which cost me about US$25 at the time of purchase.

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        • P
          phreshjive
          last edited by

          Follow up question that I was pondering while waiting for delivery: am presently using an older Trendnet TE100-P2U1P USB to RJ45 print server.  Was wondering if pFsense had a USB print server option built-in so that I could get rid of the device and couldn't find an answer.

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          • A
            asterix
            last edited by

            You could use Avahi to detect local network but thats it… there is no USB Print server functionality in pfSense. Its a UTM/firewall... sharing attached devices poses a network security threat.

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            • R
              rjcrowder
              last edited by

              Anxiously waiting to hear how this build goes… I've been considering picking up the exact same box but haven't pulled the trigger because I was concerned about the stability and throughput of the broadcomm nic's.

              @phreshjive:

              Follow up question that I was pondering while waiting for delivery: am presently using an older Trendnet TE100-P2U1P USB to RJ45 print server.  Was wondering if pFsense had a USB print server option built-in so that I could get rid of the device and couldn't find an answer.

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              • P
                phreshjive
                last edited by

                Rjcrowder,
                Planning on building it this weekend. I'll update in the thread once it's up and running. And if you want a particular test run, let me know.

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                • P
                  phreshjive
                  last edited by

                  Just attempted the build.  The unit they sent had a defective VGA - no signal.  Created an RMA, once I receive a new one, will post update.  >:(

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                  • P
                    phreshjive
                    last edited by

                    Update: I got the new unit today and RMA'd the defective one.  Other than a screw missing on the exterior of the case (which were replaced with small thumb screws), unit works flawlessly.  Decided to go with the latest 2.1 build.

                    Installed using a SATA internal drive powered by a desktop.  Couldn't find a USB key to attempt and as others have reported, system is temperamental with some external USB DVD/CD drives.

                    Stock fan on CPU is whisper quiet.  I cannot hear a thing over my forced air HVAC system. Even next to it, it is extremely quiet.  The recommended replacement fan was not necessary and not the right size.

                    Setup the Unifi and all I can say is WOW!  I walked a ridiculous way from my home and still had a rock solid signal.  Inside, I am now getting the full 30/10Mbps everywhere over WiFi. Streaming videos over either Air Video or Plex is now almost instantaneous.  No comparison to my older Linksys WRT54G and trial run with the Asus RT-N53, both running Tomato.

                    Will continue to tweak it over the next few days and report back.

                    Some useful info:

                    • Transferring files to the pfSense box from Windows environment (login is root, pw is router pw), use WinSCP
                    • Setting up Private Internet Access on pFsense 2.x (instructions on PIA are for older builds): http://goo.gl/S3BsZ
                    • Setup the UniFi controller on the pfSense box following these instructions: http://goo.gl/ggcit
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                    • R
                      rjcrowder
                      last edited by

                      Thanks for the update… Sounds like it is working well. I might pick one up sometime - these are the cheapest dual NIC Atom mini-itx boxes I've seen.

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                      • P
                        phreshjive
                        last edited by

                        If anyone is considering this system, until 4/22/2013, use the coupon VALPAK10 for $10 off your order.

                        And to save on the shipping charge, you can try out Shoprunner for 30 days which gives free 2-day shipping and return shipping should you receive a defective unit.

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                        • F
                          fuzzbomb
                          last edited by

                          @phreshjive:

                          If anyone is considering this system, until 4/22/2013, use the coupon VALPAK10 for $10 off your order.

                          And to save on the shipping charge, you can try out Shoprunner for 30 days which gives free 2-day shipping and return shipping should you receive a defective unit.

                          Looks like a neat little system. Still running well?

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                          • P
                            phreshjive
                            last edited by

                            Yes, still runs perfectly and inaudibly.

                            Outside of my deficiency in knowledge configuring some aspects of pfSense to my liking, I am loving it.  Coupled with the UniFi, it destroys any consumer-grade equipment at a very comparable price point. Wirless range is ridiculous and up time of the box has been 100%.

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                            • P
                              phreshjive
                              last edited by

                              Ok had a question: Based on what I read, seems like there is some confusion on whether it is possible to run virtualization (ESXI) on Atom-based boards.  What I would want is pfSense running (only having 2 OpenVPN instances running) as well as an instance of XP with Maximus Arcade / AirPlay Server / Plex

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