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

    PFsense mini computer and battery/powerbank questions.

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Off-Topic & Non-Support Discussion
    35 Posts 6 Posters 3.5k 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.
    • jahonixJ
      jahonix @logart
      last edited by

      @logart said in PFsense mini computer and battery/powerbank questions.:

      i'm looking for a mini pc with a lot of ethernet ports, so i can share the result of the speedify connection to all the routers of my home.

      ??? How many routers do you have in one home?
      These lots of ethernet ports on a router are router ports, NOT switch ports. Use a switch to distribute ethernet in your home.

      L 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • johnpozJ
        johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
        last edited by johnpoz

        Ok I am confused - your not going to be running this software on pfsense.. So why is your question in pfsense hardware... This should just be moved to general section, cuz for the life of me don't see how this has anything to do with pfsense, or any pfsense hardware.. Are you thinking of using some netgate hardware to run whatever this software is on?

        edit: So you want to buy some Qotom-Q550G6-I5-6200U, that is not netgate hardware.. So why are you not their boards if you want to know how much power it draws?

        An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
        If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
        Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
        SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.7.2, 24.11

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • jahonixJ
          jahonix
          last edited by

          OP has an idea but no clue how to accomplish that.
          We can either smack on his forehead and tell him to ask elsewhere or we guide him to a working solution, probably with pfSense on netgate hardware.
          I opt for the latter...

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • johnpozJ
            johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
            last edited by johnpoz

            He is not going to run that software on pfsense ;) He could run it on some netgate hardware sure..

            edit: Moving this to General... This has zero to do with pfsense hardware.

            What I would do to figure out your powerbank needs is actuall measure the power the device uses - get yourself a little killawatt meter.. Great little device to have in your toolbelt - like 20$.. Run the device for a few days under different load conditions and then see how much power it used..

            Then do some math for what kind of ups you would need to keep it running for X hours..

            An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
            If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
            Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
            SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.7.2, 24.11

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • jahonixJ
              jahonix
              last edited by

              the *ify.com software runs on "a PC [aka Windows] or MAC, iOS and Android".
              I wouldn't run that on netgate hardware but would do so with the main router/firewall.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • johnpozJ
                johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator @logart
                last edited by

                @logart said in PFsense mini computer and battery/powerbank questions.:

                combines and merge multiple ISP connections and also provides VPN

                You do understand that anything running pfsense can do this right.. Pfsense can load share across multiple isp connections, and provides vpn server, etc. etc..

                An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
                If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
                Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
                SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.7.2, 24.11

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • L
                  logart @jahonix
                  last edited by logart

                  @jahonix

                  Let me explain myself better. I don't need lots of ethernet ports. I just need to find the lowest power consumption as possible device that can run windows enterprise to run these two softwares. I need either 2 ethernet ports and wifi or 3 ethernet ports. And a battery in case of power outrage.

                  I posted this here because i thought you guy might know. the PFsense mini computers that are sold in amazon looks good for what i want. I just need a battery backup for the computer itself that would allow me to keep powering the device for at least two hours. The device has to be on 24/7.

                  I need 1 ethernet port to distribute it to a switcher to all my routers in my home.

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

                    @logart said in PFsense mini computer and battery/powerbank questions.:

                    the PFsense mini computers that are sold in amazon looks good for what i want.

                    Those have nothing to do with pfSense, they are cheap (in every way) hardware where the seller misuses the pfSense brand to up his sales. You will not find much love/support for them here.

                    L 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • johnpozJ
                      johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
                      last edited by johnpoz

                      You can run windows on a PI, the new PI 4's have little power use, and just use a switch to create more interfaces to connect to your box.. cheap vlan switch (40ish) Pi 4 kit say 100ish... Your looking like 150$ gets you a pc to run your windows on.. And 8 ports to work with..

                      You could run a switch and a pi for day prob on the cheapest of ups I would bet ;)

                      An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
                      If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
                      Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
                      SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.7.2, 24.11

                      L 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • L
                        logart @Grimson
                        last edited by

                        @Grimson said in PFsense mini computer and battery/powerbank questions.:

                        @logart said in PFsense mini computer and battery/powerbank questions.:

                        the PFsense mini computers that are sold in amazon looks good for what i want.

                        Those have nothing to do with pfSense, they are cheap (in every way) hardware where the seller misuses the pfSense brand to up his sales. You will not find much love/support for them here.

                        I didn't even know... i just need to figure out which kind of hardware i need? I was hoping if i could get some technical wisdom or guidance.

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • johnpozJ
                          johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
                          last edited by johnpoz

                          Why are you stuck on this software -- again pfsense can use multiple ISPs for its wan, and share load across them for your clients behind..

                          Something like a sg1100 for $149 would most likely work, and then vlan capable switch and you would be cooking with gas ;) Very little power use..

                          An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
                          If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
                          Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
                          SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.7.2, 24.11

                          L 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • L
                            logart @johnpoz
                            last edited by

                            @johnpoz said in PFsense mini computer and battery/powerbank questions.:

                            You can run windows on a PI, the new PI 4's have little power use, and just use a switch to create more interfaces to connect to your box.. cheap vlan switch (40ish) Pi 4 kit say 100ish... Your looking like 150$ gets you a pc to run your windows on.. And 8 ports to work with..

                            You could run a switch and a pi for day prob on the cheapest of ups I would bet ;)

                            And what kind of battery should i buy for the pi?

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • L
                              logart @johnpoz
                              last edited by

                              @johnpoz said in PFsense mini computer and battery/powerbank questions.:

                              sg1100

                              It has to be the software i have :( I'm in love with it and I'm paying 50$ a year for it.

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • johnpozJ
                                johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
                                last edited by

                                You would buy a ups... Do a google for how much pi4 draws.. Sure there is plenty of info about it.. if not now real soon.. Since they just hit the streets and people posting all kinds of info for them..

                                Something like a 1350 ups with 50w would give you a run time of over 2 hours for sure... Pi and switch not going to draw half of that... A sg1100 shows it draws 3.48W (Idle), lets say 5 for your switch puts you less than 10w so a 1350 UPS would give you easy hours and hours and hours over your 2 hour requirement.. Look for a ups runtime calc - apc has one, cyberpower has one and wills how you graph at estimated runtime for specific load.

                                An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
                                If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
                                Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
                                SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.7.2, 24.11

                                L 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • johnpozJ
                                  johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
                                  last edited by

                                  @logart said in PFsense mini computer and battery/powerbank questions.:

                                  I'm paying 50$ a year for it.

                                  Pfsense is FREE.. So in 3 years you would pay for the sg1100 ;)

                                  An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
                                  If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
                                  Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
                                  SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.7.2, 24.11

                                  L 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • L
                                    logart @johnpoz
                                    last edited by

                                    @johnpoz said in PFsense mini computer and battery/powerbank questions.:

                                    @logart said in PFsense mini computer and battery/powerbank questions.:

                                    I'm paying 50$ a year for it.

                                    Pfsense is FREE.. So in 3 years you would pay for the sg1100 ;)

                                    But my software is giving me a VPN for that price a year. PFsense VPN is free?

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • L
                                      logart @johnpoz
                                      last edited by logart

                                      @johnpoz said in PFsense mini computer and battery/powerbank questions.:

                                      You would buy a ups... Do a google for how much pi4 draws.. Sure there is plenty of info about it.. if not now real soon.. Since they just hit the streets and people posting all kinds of info for them..

                                      Something like a 1350 ups with 50w would give you a run time of over 2 hours for sure... Pi and switch not going to draw half of that... A sg1100 shows it draws 3.48W (Idle), lets say 5 for your switch puts you less than 10w so a 1350 UPS would give you easy hours and hours and hours over your 2 hour requirement.. Look for a ups runtime calc - apc has one, cyberpower has one and wills how you graph at estimated runtime for specific load.

                                      Funny thing is that i already have a cyberpower 1500VA, i have my 2 ISP modems connected to it. How much do you think it will last with two modems, and the raspbery PI 4 and a switch?

                                      Edit: Also the pi can run windows enterprise or just windows IoT?

                                      jahonixJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • stephenw10S
                                        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                        last edited by

                                        pfSense can't actually combine connections at that level it can only load balance between them which is not the same thing.
                                        To do that you need something at both ends to split and combine the connections at a packet level. Like MLVPN:
                                        https://mlvpn.readthedocs.io/en/latest/what_is_mlvpn.html

                                        If you are really concerned with power usage then you should be looking at some thing that can run at low voltage directly. Converting the battery voltage to high voltage AC only to then convert it back down to 12V or 5V to power some small computer is very inefficient.

                                        Steve

                                        L 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • L
                                          logart @stephenw10
                                          last edited by logart

                                          @stephenw10 said in PFsense mini computer and battery/powerbank questions.:

                                          pfSense can't actually combine connections at that level it can only load balance between them which is not the same thing.
                                          To do that you need something at both ends to split and combine the connections at a packet level. Like MLVPN:
                                          https://mlvpn.readthedocs.io/en/latest/what_is_mlvpn.html

                                          If you are really concerned with power usage then you should be looking at some thing that can run at low voltage directly. Converting the battery voltage to high voltage AC only to then convert it back down to 12V or 5V to power some small computer is very inefficient.

                                          Steve

                                          Speedify does that, it's highly redundant.

                                          "In Redundant Mode, Speedify sends all of your data over every one of your Internet connections at the same time. Whichever packet gets through first, is the one to be delivered. The end result is consistent and reliable Internet access when that’s all you really need."

                                          https://speedify.com/blog/internet-reliability/user-spotlight-redundant-mode/

                                          I love speedify because of that. I won't change softwares

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • stephenw10S
                                            stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                            last edited by

                                            Then you're stuck running Windows with all the security implications that carries it seems. 😉

                                            Or OSX I guess.

                                            What throughput do you actually need?

                                            Steve

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