Wifi on XG-7100 1U via add-on-card or USB adapater
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Hi,
I'm currently using an XG-7100 1U, and I'd like a (manually triggered) backup to my WAN ethernet. Is there any bsd compatible usb-wifi stick, or wifi add-on card I can purchase? I don't need something super-fast, but just something that provides some connectivity while my internet is out.Thanks.
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https://forum.netgate.com/category/31/wireless
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@Grimson Hi, I saw that forum, but I thought that was for custom hardware. I'm looking for something that I can use with Netgate hardware.
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I'd get one of those 4G cellular modems that offers a physical ethernet port to connect to a real interface on the pfsense box.
Cradelpoint and Netgear both make them. I believe you can add whatever cell SIM you want, but I'm not totally sure.
Jeff
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@LamboJ said in Wifi on XG-7100 1U via add-on-card or USB adapater:
@Grimson Hi, I saw that forum, but I thought that was for custom hardware. I'm looking for something that I can use with Netgate hardware.
Hardware doesn't make a difference, it needs to be supported by FreeBSD (and Wifi support on FreeBSD is very poor).
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@akuma1x The internet outages are quite rare though, so I don't want to keep paying every month for 4G data. I just want to be able to hotspot off my phone for the 2 days a year on average, that I lose internet.
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@LamboJ said in Wifi on XG-7100 1U via add-on-card or USB adapater:
@akuma1x The internet outages are quite rare though, so I don't want to keep paying every month for 4G data. I just want to be able to hotspot off my phone for the 2 days a year on average, that I lose internet.
Ok... You didn't say tether off your phone in your original post. So then how about an ethernet to wireless bridge box, like the TP-Link N300 2T2R.
https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Wireless-300Mbps-Repeater-TL-WA801ND/dp/B004UBU8IE
It's just an example, and I'll probably get flak here for suggesting a wireless N box instead of a wireless AC box. But it's just an example! You can find your own box, but just make sure it's got bridge and/or client modes.
One end plugs into your pfsense box, via ethernet, the wireless end tethers to your hotspot on your phone, but only when you need it. That port on pfsense you'd have to setup and then disable when you aren't using it. I think if you leave a port enabled as an active WAN port, even if it's an extra, emergency only, all-else-has-failed only use it when needed port, pfsense will squawk and give you troubles.
Like has been said, wifi thru an add-on card inside the box itself, and I believe even USB modems, are problematic and aren't fully supported in FreeBSD, and then in turn, pfsense.
Jeff
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@akuma1x Hmm, okay, I guess this is the best solution I've seen so far. I was hoping for a usb stick I can plug in, so it doesn't take up as much space. But if that's not available, then I'll go with this. Thanks.
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@LamboJ said in Wifi on XG-7100 1U via add-on-card or USB adapater:
But if that's not available, then I'll go with this. Thanks.
No, they definitely ARE available, just not supported. I'm guessing that's what you probably meant...
https://forum.netgate.com/topic/56196/can-i-use-a-wireless-usb-adapter-to-make-pfsense-a-access-point
https://www.reddit.com/r/PFSENSE/comments/75zd8t/usb_wifi_card/
https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/48272-pfsense-wifi-usb/
https://homeservershow.com/forums/topic/6048-help-with-installing-a-usb-wireless-nic-on-a-pfsense-router/
Jeff