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

    Intel J1900 box with built in wireless - just some help with config

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Wireless
    14 Posts 3 Posters 1.4k 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.
    • stephenw10S
      stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
      last edited by

      You don't need to bridge anything. You would only do that if you need wired clients on LAN to be on the same subnet as wifi clients. From a security stand point it's better if they are not. But the trade-off is between security and convenience.
      Anyway you should see the SSID in wifi clients even if they can't connect or you haven't enabled DHCP yet.
      Can we see a screenshot of the interface config?
      What is the wifi hardware?

      Steve

      C 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • C
        Comfy @stephenw10
        last edited by Comfy

        @stephenw10 Hi - sorry i didnt come back sooner - hardware: its a Qotom dual lan mini pc. Ive not gone back to it since but i had to reset the WAN/LAN connection from the console which blew away the OPT1 interface....so what steps are there then - or is there an updated guide? the one i was running from was an old webpage from server the home...this one..

        https://www.servethehome.com/how-to-setup-wi-fi-with-pfsense/

        I think its some sort of realtek wirelss card in there...

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

          That's a pretty old article but mostly still correct for the wireless setup.
          You might also watch this: https://youtu.be/EprxEKcYVfU

          From 2.4 you need to create the wireless interface in Interfaces > Wireless before you can assign it.

          Knowing what you actual wifi card is is important though. It may not support hostap mode (access point).

          Steve

          C 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • C
            Comfy @stephenw10
            last edited by

            @stephenw10 ok - i was assuming as it was built in it was access point compatible...the only other 2 are ad-hoc an infrastructure (access point seemed the obvious one to choose)

            Ill go and take a look at the vid now - cheers...

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • C
              Comfy @stephenw10
              last edited by Comfy

              @stephenw10 Actually - can you recommend a good wireless card? (if the one in there just "gets the job done" theyre not that expensive so if i could upgrade to something more capable...?

              JKnottJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • JKnottJ
                JKnott @Comfy
                last edited by

                @comfy

                The better option is to get a separate AP, as WiFi support in FreeBSD isn't great. You'll also be able to put it in a better location.

                PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
                i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
                UniFi AC-Lite access point

                I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

                C 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • C
                  Comfy @JKnott
                  last edited by

                  @jknott Well, i have - got 3 AP's (i use Engenius) - 3 ap's i hear you say....yeah....got an old 4 storey house with really thick walls! the router is at the top in the loft room....ive never used it but thought "what the hell, its there" - but if its not brilliant no biggie..

                  JKnottJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • JKnottJ
                    JKnott @Comfy
                    last edited by

                    @comfy

                    I have a single Unifi AC Lite AP. It's high on the wall in my laundry room, which is roughly in the middle of my condo, and it provides good coverage throughout my unit. When I used router WiFi in my "office", I had poor coverage at the other end.

                    If you have 3 APs, then I'd say use them.

                    PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
                    i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
                    UniFi AC-Lite access point

                    I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

                    C 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • JKnottJ
                      JKnott @Comfy
                      last edited by

                      @comfy said in Intel J1900 box with built in wireless - just some help with config:

                      its a Qotom dual lan mini pc

                      The one I got is described in my sig. I did not get WiFi with it, but I do have 4 Ethernet ports.

                      PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
                      i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
                      UniFi AC-Lite access point

                      I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • C
                        Comfy @JKnott
                        last edited by

                        @jknott Yeah - i have been - it was more of a "fuck it - may as well us it" but if its too much hassle or too much bother then i wont = but contradicting myself it was in a way - just a bit more tuition for myself on pfsense...

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

                          Run pciconf -lv at the command line. How does it appear? What PCI IDs?

                          It might already be the best card you can get that will work. Probably isn't though. 😉

                          Steve

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