Netgate Discussion Forum
    • Categories
    • Recent
    • Tags
    • Popular
    • Users
    • Search
    • Register
    • Login

    pfSense hardware selection help

    Off-Topic & Non-Support Discussion
    hardware gigabit fiber pppoe router
    2
    6
    2.4k
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • A
      alpineaudio
      last edited by

      I've looked over the minimum specs, but didn't really see anything speaking to hardware based on WAN/LAN speeds, so I was looking for some recommendations for a already built unit and for building my own pfSense router. I have Centurylink 1g fiber coming into my home, it's 1 up and down. I'm using Netgear prosafe 1gig switches with Netgear WAC730 ap's for wifi. I have a home server (local and external access), several laptops, htpc (streaming internally and externally), security system with 11 4k cameras (all cameras continuously streamed internally and externally) and about 21 IOT things. I also run a VPN server on my current router for up to 6 people.

      Based on the above, I'd max out my WAN and LAN connections, have VPN and able to do PPOE (centurylink requirement) and VPN. What would you recommend without built in wifi?

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • A
        akuma1x
        last edited by akuma1x

        At a minimum, I would put in an SG-3100.

        https://www.netgate.com/solutions/pfsense/sg-3100.html

        However, for better performance, but I don't know if it would actually be night-and-day different, the SG-5100.

        https://www.netgate.com/solutions/pfsense/sg-5100.html

        If you're looking to buy off-brand, look at Amazon for any of the 4-6 port firewall black-boxes. Make sure you get at least the Intel i3 or i5 processors, the fastest clock speeds they offer.

        Jeff

        A 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • A
          alpineaudio @akuma1x
          last edited by

          @akuma1x said in pfSense hardware selection help:

          firewall black-boxes.

          Jeff

          So you mean something like this? https://www.amazon.com/Router-intel-Pfsense-Firewall-Barebone/dp/B074SZG54G/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_3?keywords=pfsense+firewall+black-boxes&qid=1553882000&s=gateway&sr=8-3-fkmrnull

          A 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • A
            alpineaudio
            last edited by

            @akuma1x said in pfSense hardware selection help:

            firewall black-boxes

            and more specific, this one's an i5 https://www.amazon.com/QOTOM-Q355G4-Factory-Firewall-Multi-Function-Appliance/dp/B06XNWLR3J/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_2?keywords=pfsense+firewall+black-boxes+i5&qid=1553882807&s=gateway&sr=8-2-fkmr2

            A 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • A
              akuma1x @alpineaudio
              last edited by

              @alpineaudio said in pfSense hardware selection help:

              @akuma1x said in pfSense hardware selection help:

              firewall black-boxes.

              Jeff

              So you mean something like this? https://www.amazon.com/Router-intel-Pfsense-Firewall-Barebone/dp/B074SZG54G/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_3?keywords=pfsense+firewall+black-boxes&qid=1553882000&s=gateway&sr=8-3-fkmrnull

              This one is NOT Intel i3 or i5, it's a 2.42 GHz Celeron, and doesn't support AES-NI instructions. I would skip this model.

              Jeff

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • A
                akuma1x @alpineaudio
                last edited by

                @alpineaudio said in pfSense hardware selection help:

                @akuma1x said in pfSense hardware selection help:

                firewall black-boxes

                and more specific, this one's an i5 https://www.amazon.com/QOTOM-Q355G4-Factory-Firewall-Multi-Function-Appliance/dp/B06XNWLR3J/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_2?keywords=pfsense+firewall+black-boxes+i5&qid=1553882807&s=gateway&sr=8-2-fkmr2

                This one is a much better choice!

                I'm going to get up on my soap box here... keep in mind, you should try to support the pfsense open source project as much as you can. With the Qotom box you found, you're only about $60 away from the "official" Netgate SG-3100 box. I'm not trying to guilt you into a purchase, and I'm not saying you're going to get a better experience with name-brand or not, but being that close in price, I would send my money to Netgate and the firewall project itself.

                Jeff

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • First post
                  Last post
                Copyright 2025 Rubicon Communications LLC (Netgate). All rights reserved.