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    Need help with Pfsense hardware

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    • G
      greg1256
      last edited by

      Hello,

      I have decided to build a pfsense router/firewall.
      I need some guidance with throughput consideration. I have read this article https://www.pfsense.org/hardware/
      My internet speed from my provider is 2 Mpbs up/ 20 Mbps down
      I have looked into this motherboard/CPU combo: http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Q1900M/

      I want to run various different packages (or whatever you call them):

      -Squid / squidguard

      -OpenVPN

      -Snort

      -some kind of ad blocker/ anti virus

      -Caching

      -Darkstat

      Will this motherboard and CPU do? If so is there a more powerful modern alternative?

      Also how is pfsense and setting up wirless? What wirless cards work with pfsense?

      Thannks,

      Greg

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      • V
        VAMike
        last edited by

        @greg1256:

        My internet speed from my provider is 2 Mpbs up/ 20 Mbps down

        At 20Mbps pretty much anything will work–what you're looking at is more than enough. Probably hard to beat an APU2C4 for price & form factor. SG-1000 would be a possibility except you'll probably burn through the RAM with all the stuff you want to run.

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        • W
          whosmatt
          last edited by

          @greg1256:

          Also how is pfsense and setting up wirless? What wirless cards work with pfsense?

          It's a non starter with modern wireless hardware.  You're much better off with separate pfSense and access points.  You can use practically any wireless router or AP you have lying around, but if you want to start fresh, the Ubiquiti AP AC LITE has done wonders for me, and it's cheaper than anything i've found in its class.

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          • P
            pfBasic Banned
            last edited by

            Everything already stated is spot on. For 20/2 most anything will work.

            That being said, I don't know what prices you can get the Q1900M for, but newegg lists it at $70. Save a little $ and get a J3355B instead, it's brand new, costs $55 and has AES-NI (not that you need it for 20/2, but still). Mostly it's cheaper.

            https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157726&cm_re=j3355b--13-157-726--Product

            Either way you go you'll need a NIC, checkout eBay for used server pull NICs for cheap.

            Search eBay for Intel PRO/1000PT and find the cheapest used, working NIC that works for you (ports count and bracket height). I'm betting a dual port is all you'll need if you take whosmatt's advice on the AP (you should). <$15. Here's links to a SFF bracket & a normal bracket.

            http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Pro-1000-568971-PT-Dual-Port-Server-Adapter-5666-/222383216194?hash=item33c7129642:g:y44AAOSw4DJYgSbV

            http://www.ebay.com/itm/INTEL-DELL-PRO-1000-PT-EXPI9400PT-Server-Network-Card-Adapter-/112283284546?hash=item1a249af442:g:nYMAAOSw2xRYi3UY

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            • G
              greg1256
              last edited by

              Cheers for the answers.

              I look in to that thanks!

              Also the "J3355B" is the same price for me…

              Are there any cheaper options with the same low power? I am struggling to find embedded cpu/motherboards

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              • P
                pfBasic Banned
                last edited by

                I don't know of anything cheaper new. If you don't already have a case, PSU, or RAM then the cheapest overall option will be to buy an old used desktop off of eBay. All you'll have to add is the NIC.

                For more power savings from a used computer look for an Intel CPU with T on the end. I'd recommend getting something cheap that doesn't include a HDD and doing a USB install if you're looking to save money.

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