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

    Realtek NIC question and wireless network segregation

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved General pfSense Questions
    19 Posts 4 Posters 1.3k Views
    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.
    • X
      xman111 @stephenw10
      last edited by

      @stephenw10 thanks for the reply.

      if it is flakey for my folks, I willl never hear the end of it 😁.. I think I will just return this card and buy a proper Intel quad card that fits.

      now just trying to get a legitimate and not a knockoff.

      GrimsonG T 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
      • GrimsonG
        Grimson Banned @xman111
        last edited by Grimson

        @xman111 said in Realtek NIC question and wireless network segregation:

        I think I will just return this card and buy a proper Intel quad card that fits.

        The Intel quad cards don't vary that much in size, at least if they are genuine Intel cards, as they are designed to be used in a server not a thin client. They also need decent airflow.

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • T
          TheNarc @xman111
          last edited by

          @xman111 I concur with Stephen and, for what it's worth, can tell you that I've been running two pfSense machines with Realtek NICs (but using the driver here) for years with no problems. I also wonder though how necessary it is for your use case to segregate the wireless network. For a small home network it's probably overkill unless you want to do it just as an academic exercise.

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
          • X
            xman111
            last edited by xman111

            here is the picture of the two cards. one is a dual port nic, the other is the quad that I bought by mistake.

            network2.jpg

            I am starting to think it may not be worth segregating the wireless at all. My parents have only one computer, i have a backup Unraid server there, and one firetv box, that is all that is wired. Also a couple wireless devices and when my kids are there, they use the wireless as well. I definitely don't need the academic exercise as my network is all segregated at home, just want it simple and easy so i don't get a ton of calls and emails about problems.

            It really was just so i can run a point to point VPN between my 2 servers and the two homes.

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • GrimsonG
              Grimson Banned
              last edited by

              Ok so this looks like a very old DELL NIC, and yes they are huge and power hungry. Get an HP NC365t, or an actual Intel i340-t4 or i350-t4.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • X
                xman111
                last edited by xman111

                thanks Grimson! Just don't want a knock off :)

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • GrimsonG
                  Grimson Banned
                  last edited by

                  If your 2 port card isn't a knock-off then you can use it together with a little smart switch like this one: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B008ABLU2I/. Return the quad card, and depending on what you did pay for it the money will likely be enough to pay for such a switch. Just keep away from cheap TP-Link switches, as they tend to have issues with VLANs.

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • X
                    xman111
                    last edited by

                    good call Grimson, thanks!

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • X
                      xman111
                      last edited by

                      would this one be ok?

                      https://www.ebay.com/itm/323683685632?ul_noapp=true

                      GrimsonG 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • GrimsonG
                        Grimson Banned @xman111
                        last edited by

                        @xman111 said in Realtek NIC question and wireless network segregation:

                        would this one be ok?

                        https://www.ebay.com/itm/323683685632?ul_noapp=true

                        Yes, the NC365T is a very good NIC and the price seems to be OK for a used one. I obviously can't vouch for it's authenticity just from seeing an eBay page.

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • X
                          xman111
                          last edited by

                          thanks Grimson, he said it is from an HP server pull and he is in Canada so that is perfect. Now I will return the switch for a smart switch and have many options.

                          I ordered this stuff while i was on a cruise ship and my mind was elsewhere. :)

                          GrimsonG 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • GrimsonG
                            Grimson Banned @xman111
                            last edited by

                            @xman111 said in Realtek NIC question and wireless network segregation:

                            Now I will return the switch for a smart switch and have many options.

                            Good choice, you never know when they decide to buy some wonky IoT device that you better separate from anything else.

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                            • X
                              xman111
                              last edited by

                              yup, for sure, thanks again for your help!

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