LTE (modem) hardware recommendation?

andipandi

I want to set up a pfsense box with LTE for failover and also some load balancing (still have to figure out how, due to volume limit on LTE).

I may buy a dedicated box for pfsense (small CPU, 4 Intel NICs form Aliexpress) or use an existing "real" PC, get 2 additional Intel PCI-E cards for it and then run pfsense within Hyper-V.

Since I will purchase new hardware: which one gives good speeds, is reliable and very compatible? Also, is a USB modem ok or should I go for a separate LTE router and connect it via LAN?

AndrewZ

If you want an internal card - just search the forum and you will see the popular models along with configuration tips.
If you will take the easy way with USB - any modern Huawei modem like E3272/3276/3372 will do the job.

Guest

Since I will purchase new hardware: which one gives good speeds, is reliable and very compatible? Also, is a USB modem ok or should I go for a separate LTE router and connect it via LAN?

From PC Engines is a "newer" Board out, that supports 2 miniPCIe modem inside and comes based
on this also with 2 SIM slots, you can use it to realize your project once at all. APU3A2

It is available at Lintix
This board version is targeted at applications that require 2 3G / LTE modems.

andipandi

@AndrewZ
Thanks. I did not even think about an internal card and right now think this is my last option.

I am wondering whether to use a USB modem like http://consumer.huawei.com/en/mobile-broadband/dongles/features/e3372.htm or a router like https://www.amazon.com/Huawei-B315s-22-Unlocked-Mobile-Router/dp/B01B5OM94O/ - whether there are any implications.

@BlueKobold
Thanks, buying a new CPU board is a last option after buying an internal card. ;) To me, there seem to be several drawbacks, like kind of a high price, and also due to high integration I would have to replace the whole thing if any one component fails, either on the mainboard or with the LTE ports.

Also, since our current firewall has just now reached it's limit at the same time that I have started to look into pfSense, it will be a Hyper-V based solution and I will just put some more NICs into an existing server, just the LTE part is not solved. (Using existing hardware makes process of introduction faster, also, since this will just be a VM and some NICs, if anything fails, I can either move the VM to another host and/or replace or move some NICs.)