Looking for small hardware

Krisbe

Hi

I'm looking for a small motherboard (and case) for a remote project. The intention is to build a small pfSense system that is connected via a mobile (3G/4G) connection, it just needs one LAN port for making connection with the local network. I will connect via that mobile network via VPN to the remote network. The remote networks are consumer domotica systems, we manage them remotely so we don 't have to go on location.

This hardware seems hard te be found. Do you guys know some good hardware for this?

Small form factor (as small as possible)
SIM card module on board (which is not accessible from outside of the box)
3G/4G module on board or via expansion card
(Micro)SD card slot
Just one or two LAN ports are enough

Thanks!

Gil

The SG-1000 is about as small as you can get.
I have had some reliability issues with using the OTG port as a 4G modem.
I have setup a couple of Sg-1000's with PocketPort2 interfaces which seems to work well.

For low-power and really small, you're stuck with ARM and only the ones sold by Netgate work well with pfSense. For x86 there is small boxes like those from Minisys and Qotom. Supermicro has a few that aren't exactly small but more low-profile (quite flat, but still rather wide/deep).

Gil

If want the remote end to be a simple firewall protected network with a VPN access;
you can configure an OpenWRT OpenVPN compliant 4G modem to connect to a central (local) pfsense box.
These can then run on a MIPS.

@Gil:

If want the remote end to be a simple firewall protected network with a VPN access;
you can configure an OpenWRT OpenVPN compliant 4G modem to connect to a central (local) pfsense box.
These can then run on a MIPS.

Yep, that works too. There are specific devices with 4G modems that are actually supported by OpenWRT so you can just get a random commercial unit and flash it.

Gil

I have a number of these:

https://comset.com.au/4g-lte-modem-routers-c-65/3g4g4gx-wifi-router-with-sim-card-slot-cm685vw-p-278.html?zenid=f00jrrm70s8ibp7akh5av44ip3

Re-badged for the Australian market & local bands including band 28.

Proroute may sell them in the UK. ?

Krisbe

Hi

Thanks all!

When searching the suggested items, I found a Dutch shop who sells these systems:

http://www.compactpc.com.tw/product.aspx?act=detail&id=522
https://fit-iot.com/web/products/fitlet2/

Both systems have 2x LAN, possibility to add a SIM-module, 4G modem, external antennes and attachable to a DIN-rail.

Is anyone familiar with it these systems or brands?

@Gil
SG-1000 is nice stuff, but I need one with a internal 4G modem, no USB dongle. These systems are "in the wild by customers".
OpenWRT can be a alternative, but I would like to stick with pfSense :-)

@johnkeates
I see SuperMicro also have small systems, I'm only familiar with their xU-servers. I'll have a look at these to!

Gil

PC Engines APU2 can also host LTE cards internally.

https://www.pcengines.ch/apu2.htm