Could you please help me to pick hardware
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Hello!
I want to change my main router to pfsense.
So my current setup is 3x4G router, which all take in 50Mbps connection (one will be upgraded in 150Mbps soon) and connect to RT-N66U. I want to connect all these into one singular machine with ethernet that would run pfsense.
Then I would want to setup load balance for these 3 connections setup as WAN1,WAN2,WAN3. I would want to get good performance with this ideally +150Mbps (or +250Mbps after upgrade). Current RT-N66U with custom firmware is unable to achieve such performance for some reason…
I have been searching for recommended hardware for pfsense, but they seem to be a bit different in each place. For example, what sort of hardware would have as good performance as in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FggkvJhz3Ls
So would you please recommend CPU for such usage:
LAN -> WAN(s) speed preferably at least 300Mbps with load balance.What sort of CPU performance would be enough to run this? I would definitely prefer CPU with a good price to performance.
best regards
I_like_speed -
Jetway NF9HG-2930 would be able to handle all connections well. There are two different ways to get it working.
Setup 1:
3 x NETGEAR LB1111
Jetway NF9HG-2930
120 GB mSATA
external PSU
M350 case
8 GB RAMSet up 2:
Your actual router with SIM card inside with no DHCP and static IP on the WAN interfaces
and set up the routers in the so called bridge mode, to be ensure not to have a double NAT
or router cascade situation.
Jetway NF9HG-2930
120 GB mSATA
external PSU
M350 case
8 GB RAM -
@BlueKobold:
Set up 2:
Your actual router with SIM card inside with no DHCP and static IP on the WAN interfaces
and set up the routers in the so called bridge mode, to be ensure not to have a double NAT
or router cascade situation.
Jetway NF9HG-2930
120 GB mSATA
external PSU
M350 case
8 GB RAMHow much does double NAT impact on performance?
Do you have any comments about NICs? I heard intel would be the safest choice, but other brands seem to be cheaper.
Would something like this perform good with pfsense ?
http://www.dx.com/p/winyao-wy546t2-dual-port-copper-rj45-gigabit-ethernet-pci-desktop-adapter-intel-82546-chipset-300293
http://www.dx.com/p/iocrest-io-pce8111-2glan-pci-express-dual-gigabit-ethernet-controller-card-rtl8111-chipset-green-313597
http://www.dx.com/p/winyao-dual-port-rj45-gigabit-ethernet-pci-network-card-adapter-green-425970 <- this one has freeBSD mentionedI also found nicely priced 4x RJ45 intel cards
http://www.dx.com/p/diewu-pci-express-intel-i350-t4-4-port-gigabit-lan-network-card-448762
http://www.dx.com/p/diewu-pci-e-intel-i350t4-4-port-gigabit-lan-network-card-311461 -
How much does double NAT impact on performance?
Do you have any comments about NICs? I heard intel would be the safest choice, but other brands seem to be cheaper.
Would something like this perform good with pfsense ?
http://www.dx.com/p/winyao-wy546t2-dual-port-copper-rj45-gigabit-ethernet-pci-desktop-adapter-intel-82546-chipset-300293
http://www.dx.com/p/iocrest-io-pce8111-2glan-pci-express-dual-gigabit-ethernet-controller-card-rtl8111-chipset-green-313597
http://www.dx.com/p/winyao-dual-port-rj45-gigabit-ethernet-pci-network-card-adapter-green-425970 <- this one has freeBSD mentionedI also found nicely priced 4x RJ45 intel cards
http://www.dx.com/p/diewu-pci-express-intel-i350-t4-4-port-gigabit-lan-network-card-448762
http://www.dx.com/p/diewu-pci-e-intel-i350t4-4-port-gigabit-lan-network-card-311461Definitely don't waste your time/money on anything other than intel for gigabit nics.
The i350's you posted are not original intels, but that probably won't matter for you. There are many posts on here of people using fake chinese intel nics with no discernible difference.
The fact that they sell a blinged out golden version does make me wonder though…Check out ebay, there are tons of server pull and chinese i350's at a good price. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Intel-I350-T4-PCI-Express-PCI-E-Four-RJ45-Gigabit-Ports-Server-Adapter-NIC-/142146472098?hash=item21189708a2:g:kGgAAOSwpLNX~jPk
If you don't have a specific reason to be using an i350 you can get i340-t4's for as little as $25
http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Intel-I340-T4-Ethernet-Quad-Port-Adapter-94Y5167-49Y4241-/172489524601?hash=item28292d4579:g:1XgAAOSwt5hYfV9W -
How much does double NAT impact on performance?
In normal we are talking here about 3% - 5% less then single WAN situation.
Do you have any comments about NICs? I heard intel would be the safest choice, but other brands seem to be cheaper.
Go with Intel and it has the better driver support.
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Hi BlueKobold,
Would you have any recommendations for brand hardware compatibility (authorized vendors) for the Jetway NF9HG-2930 mentioned above:
1. RAM
2. mSATA (full size).
Many Thanks.