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    PfSense 32bit vs 64bit? which one should I choose?

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Hardware
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    • johnpozJ
      johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
      last edited by

      @enihcam:

      How much performance will VM slow down comparing with native machine?

      I run pfsense and my vms on a cheap HP N40L microserver with 8GB of ram and disks added for my NAS, and 3 extra nics added to allow for more connections to pfsense.  Wan, Lan, vmkern (esxi mgmt connection) and wlan..

      I assess all of my media off my NAS vm - I gave it raw access to the disks, and I can see 80-90 MBps pulling files off of it, and write I see normally 70-50MBps – more than enough performance for a nas in a home setup...

      I would highly suggest you break out your other services like samba/torrenting to a other vm other than your router/firewall - this is very simple via visualization..  If you want to leave your proxy/filtering on pfsense - sure I don't see any reason to break that out.  But I would never use it as a file server ;)

      As to 32bit vs 64, Unless you have some reason for your router/firewall to have 4GB+ of ram just don't see a need for 64bit version of pfsense.

      An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
      If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
      Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
      SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.7.2, 24.11

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      • K
        kejianshi
        last edited by

        What he said…

        Except I use virtualization - My imagination isn't good enough to make visualization work.  (I had to joke)

        I was going to ask if NAS would be better than SAMBA share or not for you, but FreeNAS is a resource hog.  Not sure if you have amazing hardware laying around or not?

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        • K
          kejianshi
          last edited by

          "2 walls are between the router and samba server; wireless."

          I have a solution for that…

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          • johnpozJ
            johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
            last edited by

            visualization?  Oh I see it damn spell check when your not paying attention ;)

            An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
            If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
            Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
            SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.7.2, 24.11

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            • K
              kejianshi
              last edited by

              haha - I typo WAY more, but that was too good to pass up (-;

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              • R
                rjcrowder
                last edited by

                @kejianshi:

                What he said…

                Except I use virtualization - My imagination isn't good enough to make visualization work.  (I had to joke)

                I was going to ask if NAS would be better than SAMBA share or not for you, but FreeNAS is a resource hog.  Not sure if you have amazing hardware laying around or not?

                Love my Nas4free setup - just FYI. Not a hog like FreeNAS

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                • K
                  kejianshi
                  last edited by

                  I'll give it a look.

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                  • L
                    leodemarce
                    last edited by

                    Hello,

                    I'm a hobbyist and am setting up my first router. It is to be used for a business network so up-time is what is crucial to me. I am replacing my ASUS router which I find to be unreliable.

                    I have several old pc's that I'm looking to re-purpose and would like to know other's opinions. I have a pentium 4 HP Compaq SFF that can only run 32bit. It's a good workhorse but I have no use for it otherwise. I have replaced the hdd with an SSD and added a 2nd gigabite nic card.

                    My question is, am I wasting my time on this or should I use another pc that can run 64bit? The last time this question was asked it appeared that 32bit would have been a fine solution but would like to refresh the question.

                    Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

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                    • johnpozJ
                      johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
                      last edited by

                      My understanding is 32 bit is not long for pfsense.. It is to be phased out… but not sure on the timeline..  Pent 4?  Wow that is some OLD shit ;)  Its prob time to retire that old beast to its final resting grounds.. It sure not going to be power friendly compared to something a bit more current..

                      An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
                      If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
                      Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
                      SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.7.2, 24.11

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                      • stephenw10S
                        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                        last edited by

                        That ^  ;)

                        But if you've got that in hand it you can try pfSense on it. You can transfer your config and skills to new hardware when you have it available.

                        We will support 32bit (2.3.X) for 1 year after 2.4 (64bit only) is released.

                        Steve

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                        • ?
                          Guest
                          last edited by

                          I always go 64-bit unless the hardware doesn't support it.

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