Pfsense on old eMachine build
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Hey All,
I just received an old eMachine W3118. I want to build a pfsense router out of it for home use. My question comes down to the NIC. Here is the flow I am wanting to set up.
Cable Modem > Pfsense Router > switch > wireless router.
I need 2 ports on the pfsense box (modem to pfsense and pfsense to switch)
I looked inside the pfsense box and there are 2 pci slots, 1 pci-e x1 slot, & 1 pci-e x16 slot. I think buying 2 network cards, 1 for the x1 slot and one for the x16 slot would seem like the best and cheapest route. I dont want to use the on board nic because it's only 10/100 speed. I would like to have it support gigabit for future use. Does anyone have any suggestions on the type of cards I should buy or maybe a different way to set up the pfsense box?
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Newegg: Home > Computer Hardware > Networking > Wired Networking > Network Interface Cards
Checkboxes: Intel, 10/100/1000, PCI-Express
Sort lowest price first. Those $30 EXPI9301CT are based on the 82574 and should give you no trouble.
I have also been pretty happy with used dell gear from Stallard. You can usually get pretty good used server-class adapters, usually broadcom or intel, for a good price.
http://www.stikc.com/Catalog/Ethernet-Network-Adapters-HBAs
And, as always, check the HCL at: http://www.freebsd.org/releases/8.3R/hardware.html#ETHERNET (For 2.1.5)
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Thanks for the info Derelict.
