Justifying pfsense for home network
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When is the last time your router had any kind of update?
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If you are the kind of person who asks questions like that then you should switch to pfsense.
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Stuff that most Home Routers cant do
- Network Segmentation for IOT / VOIP Devices
- Bandwith management for your kids / guests
- VPN Access
to name my most important features
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Decent AQM/QoS management. Not perfect, but enough.
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Updated more than once every 10 years…
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SNORT IDS/IPS, proper VLANS and routing, much more flexible NAT (PAT) for segmented internal networks, Built in packet logging, Lots more.
It can be as much as you would ever want for a home router or as simple as plug and play.
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if I was you I would setup a computer or a vm host based pfsense before investing on a 3000. I was on the same boat 3 weeks ago but I had a Box that I converted to pfsense so the only money I paid was for a Dual port Intel NIC which was 35 bux. I did it because
I am still figuring things out but I went to pfsense
1. I wanted to add snort (but every time I enable this sucker it breaks lots of other stuff) so still have not figured this out yet but with Kids following youtube links to God Knows what I would feel safer if I had more protection than just a firewall and AV
2. I like to tinker around and packages that are available on pfsense will keep me busy for a while :) save me money in the long run
3. I want to better control my home network with lots of IOT in my house
4. I had a dedicated openvpn VM running that I have shutdown and am using pfsense now
5. If you don't like OpenDNS filtering (which I am using) you can setup filtering using the proxy packages and publically available blacklists but I am ok with using openDNS for now
6. I am on Verizon FIOS and didn't like the visibility they had on my network so I needed to replace their router any way and none of SOHO solutions are up to par on features of pfsense (not even close)
7. I use Aruba Campus APs for wireless so didn't need a router with wireless built in.this is all I can think of for now :)
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SNORT IDS/IPS, proper VLANS and routing, much more flexible NAT (PAT) for segmented internal networks, Built in packet logging, Lots more.
It can be as much as you would ever want for a home router or as simple as plug and play.
Ah, VLANS. I have a few Netgear switches that I have been too lazy to set up with VLANS, but it would be wise to put IOT and my solar inverter on an Internet access only VLAN. Good call. Thanks.
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if I was you I would setup a computer or a vm host based pfsense before investing on a 3000. I was on the same boat 3 weeks ago but I had a Box that I converted to pfsense so the only money I paid was for a Dual port Intel NIC which was 35 bux. I did it because
I am still figuring things out but I went to pfsense
1. I wanted to add snort (but every time I enable this sucker it breaks lots of other stuff) so still have not figured this out yet but with Kids following youtube links to God Knows what I would feel safer if I had more protection than just a firewall and AV
2. I like to tinker around and packages that are available on pfsense will keep me busy for a while :) save me money in the long run
3. I want to better control my home network with lots of IOT in my house
4. I had a dedicated openvpn VM running that I have shutdown and am using pfsense now
5. If you don't like OpenDNS filtering (which I am using) you can setup filtering using the proxy packages and publically available blacklists but I am ok with using openDNS for now
6. I am on Verizon FIOS and didn't like the visibility they had on my network so I needed to replace their router any way and none of SOHO solutions are up to par on features of pfsense (not even close)
7. I use Aruba Campus APs for wireless so didn't need a router with wireless built in.this is all I can think of for now :)
Good idea. Thanks for the suggestions - and thanks to everyone for their replies and help!
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One more :
Flawless IPv6 support …..
