Custom build on ALIX APU.2C4

jweland

I was considering making a pfsense build using the ALIX APU.2C4; which has 4 GB ram 3 10/100/1000 rj45s you can see the full specs here http://www.mini-box.com/ALIX-APU-2C4-AMD-G-Series-GX-421TC?sc=8&category=1361

My network would consist of WAN, LAN and OPT

WAN being my fiber line from my ISP (on 50mb/25mb) they convert from fiber to copper on the side of the house and give me a single copper line. All hardware needs to be provided by me.

LAN would run to a switch and from there for my WiFi I would be running a Google OnHub in AP mode. (great range, but horrible settings for anyone looking for advanced features.

OPT would be another switch but this is only for home automation/home security stuff. My Home Assistant would have access to both the LAN and OPT networks.

MY problem is while the aforementioned board is well into 4 times the recommended specs. I have a cousin who is running PFSense and insisting I am going to need something upwards of 32GB of ram if I want to run more than one or two devices on this PFSense router. He says I wont beable to run any of the features. I'm asking here because his estimate just seems way over the top.

Jailer

Yeah that's some bad advice you're getting there. 4GB is plenty.

tirsojrp

32gb of ram for a 50/25mb connection? Ridiculous.

bennyc

If it helps you making the decision:
I run 3 vpn instances + Snort on a apu1d4 in a home environment, and consume about 20% of the 4GB ram….

jahonix

Well, my APU1 does just fine with a 100/40 VDSL line.
Even dual-WAN with 100Mb/s cable and 100Mb/s VDSL wasn't an issue.

jweland

Thanks, I assumed it was an exaggeration, this is the guy that spends thousands on SERVER parts to build systems he doesn't use much… (must be nice). I think I am going to pull the trigger sometime between now and early December.

@jweland:

Thanks, I assumed it was an exaggeration, this is the guy that spends thousands on SERVER parts to build systems he doesn't use much… (must be nice). I think I am going to pull the trigger sometime between now and early December.

APU2C4 with pfSense 2.3.2 - 64 Bit here and it enough for;
200 MBit/s down and 100 MBit/s up for 70 users that are mailing and surfing!
Snort, tinyDNS, Squid, SquidGuard, ClamAV

All is running fine at 60% CPU usage without any problems.
mSATA 128 GB SanDisk
WLAN UBNT SR71-E