case recommendation mini-itx

tiwing

Hi all, just starting on my first pfsense build. I have a mini-itx board (https://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Q1900DC-ITX/) Quad core 1.3 GHz with 8GB RAM that I was planning to re-purpose from an HTPC for this build. It currently sits in a silverstone case with an audio receiver form factor.

I am a home user, will be running openVPN for all internet traffic except a few IP and device exceptions, and my internet speed is currently 40Mbps down, 10 up. Probably will not be more than 75 down in the next 4-5 years at which time I'll build something new, if I need to. Wireless will be handled by a couple of home routers -> access points. router will be connected to a 24 port switch. Ideally will run a USB external hard drive off the router for local backups, but flexible on this - can hook it up to my NAS if router won't work (I'm coming from an ASUS/Merlin world)

Three questions to get me going:

Is this a suitable board for pfsense based on my use?
I assume I need two NICs - can I use the onboard plus a single NIC card, or do I need to go with a dual NIC card such as this https://www.amazon.ca/Ethernet-Realtek-Standard-Brackets-SD-PEX24041/dp/B00O1AEFLK/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1WXKUEBQMROA5&keywords=dual+nic+card&qid=1582294529&sprefix=dual+nic%2Caps%2C255&sr=8-4
Can you recommend a decent mini-ITX case that will fit the board plus one card plus one SSD? No need for fancy. it will be buried under the stairs.

Thanks in advance for your help!!!

Kevin

kiokoman

yes
avoid realtek network card if you can,it is the cause of many problems, they are not very good for freebsd/pfsense
search for intel, better if it's dual nic, this way you don't have to use the integrated network card if it's a realtek, you only have one PCI-E 1x so take it in mind when you order the network card
idk take what you like the most / what is less expensive, small ssd are now very cheap

tiwing

Thank you! and also thx for the advice on intel based cards. I do have a 128GB SSD already that I used for the HTPC. Still hoping for some reco on a case from anyone with a similar setup. thanks!

tiwing

I also linked the wrong board. very similar specs though https://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/AM1H-ITX/
except it has one 16x slot

cheers

kiokoman

then you can search for a quad port, you never know what the future holds...

NollipfSense

@tiwing It will be difficult to recommend a case as it depends on variables such as taste, budget, etc...although you said nothing fancy. Here's an eBay search result: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=mini-itx+enclosure&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=1&_osacat=0&_odkw=mini+pc+enclosure

Also, I seconded what Kiokoman said regarding the Intel NIC. The 128GB SSD is good...two would be even better for ZFS mirror.

akuma1x

@tiwing I would go cheap, like you said, it's hidden under the stairs.

https://www.amazon.com/darkFlash-MicroATX-Computer-Magnetic-Tempered/dp/B07R4L54NX?th=1

or, this one is rather large, but highly rated:

https://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-RC-110-KKN2-Midnight-Mini-ITX/dp/B00ID2FBU6

Jeff

tman222

Here's another recommendation for a Mini-ITX case:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DU6RVK8

I have the ML06B and have been pretty happy with it. Keep in mind that for case like this (and probably for some of the other Mini-ITX cases too), you'll need an NIC with a low profile bracket because of the small form factor.

One can find good deals these days Intel i340 NIC's - it's a solid quad port card.

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/49186/intel-ethernet-server-adapter-i340-t4.html

Hope this helps.

tiwing

All very helpful, thank you for the suggestions! I've taken the advice here and have put together a working system in an old large case for the moment - 4 port intel card, mirrored zfs 128 SSDs. Still deciding on the case but will prob be one of the ones linked here. Before spending, wanted to ensure I could make it work how I wanted, with VPN set as default gateway, "kill switch", and an alias that contains all the stuff I want to always bypass the VPN. Last piece to sort out is high availability - not because I need it, but because I can :) So far so good though, this is a wonderful piece of software once you get past the pretty steep learning curve for networking noobs. Thanks again!

Edit: I think I actually settled on this case https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B015IYLSFS/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=AECIPMEQNVKO2&psc=1 - it came up in recommended when I was clicking around and seems to check all the boxes. small size, fits a single low profile card...

Tiwing

riften

@tiwing
For mini-ITX I use this: Thermaltake Cube
Reason being, they have 1x200mm fan so they are almost silent, are not too large, and it's easy to get the front off for cleaning. I've got a Gigabyte board with a Kaby I3 and everything stays nice and cool. The top, sides, front and bottom come off quick if you need to work in there, it's cake.
I even have my ESXI host in one, with 2 spinners and 4 SSDs running 6 vms. They sit side by side in a bedroom and I only hear the slightest woosh. PCI cards use standard height brackets BTW.

tiwing

Ohhhh I like that! Thanks for posting!