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    PfSense on old Macbook

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Problems Installing or Upgrading pfSense Software
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    • D
      DesertRatR
      last edited by

      I am brand new at this … thinking of taking the plunge and using pfSense to build a VPN router.  I've got an old Macbook with a Core 2 Duo.  The pfSense compatibility page indicates pfSense is compatible with Core 2 but not Core Duo.  Apple made some Core Duo machines prior to their Core 2 Duo.  Does anyone know if a Core 2 Duo is the same as a Core 2 for pfSense compatibility?

      Also, the Macbook only has a single ethernet port.  Is there some way to use an external switch?  Or do I need 2 ports?

      I have never done this, so it is a new hobby.

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      • M
        mikeisfly
        last edited by

        Duo means it's hyperthreaded, if I remember correctly. I also believe it is 64bit. As far as a single port you can use a switch but the switch will have to support vlans.

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        • NollipfSenseN
          NollipfSense
          last edited by

          @DesertRatR:

          Also, the Macbook only has a single ethernet port.  Is there some way to use an external switch?  Or do I need 2 ports?
          I have never done this, so it is a new hobby.

          You can use a PCMCIA card like NETGEAR GA511 Gigabit Network Card that you can find on eBay $6 shipped…see below. There is also the Expresscard if yours is a later model...cost more $40 - 50.

          http://tinyurl.com/ya3cobhq

          pfSense+ 23.09 Lenovo Thinkcentre M93P SFF Quadcore i7 dual Raid-ZFS 128GB-SSD 32GB-RAM PCI-Intel i350-t4 NIC, -Intel QAT 8950.
          pfSense+ 23.09 VM-Proxmox, Dell Precision Xeon-W2155 Nvme 500GB-ZFS 128GB-RAM PCIe-Intel i350-t4, Intel QAT-8950, P-cloud.

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          • JKnottJ
            JKnott
            last edited by

            @mikeisfly:

            Duo means it's hyperthreaded, if I remember correctly. I also believe it is 64bit. As far as a single port you can use a switch but the switch will have to support vlans.

            That's assuming the computer supports VLANs.  Not all do.

            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...

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