New user, general questions

duvel

Hello,

I am new to pfSense and I just had some general questions.

I have read that Intel is the best chipset to be using with pfSense, but the SG-1100 that I'm planning on getting comes with Marvel, why is this?

I also read that Atheros is the best wireless to use. Is there a list of recommended routers that I could see that only use Atheros?

Thanks for any help!

stephenw10

You may have extended that advice beyond it's intention.

NICs based on Intel chipsets are generally accepted to be the best you can get.
The SG-1100 is built on a Marvell ARM SoC which includes the NIC so there is no option to use Intel there.

Atheros WIFI chipsets are generally the best supported. That's not saying much though because WIFI support in FreeBSD (and hence pfSense) is not good. There is no 802.11ac support for example.
If you wanted to use wifi in pfSense itself you would be looking for a NIC not a complete router.
With recent additions in 2.4.5 it is possible to use a wifi NIC in the SG-1100 but there are no antenna holes, it is unsupported. The Compex WLE200NX woks there but you would be far better off getting a separate access point. Or re-using an existing router as an access point.
https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/wireless/use-an-existing-wireless-router-with-pfsense.html

Steve

duvel

Thanks for the info.

I would definitely be using a separate access point.

Is there a list of recommended ones anywhere?

Phizix

@duvel,

I am using two ASUS routers (RT-AC88U & RT-AC1750_B1) in AIMesh mode with great success.

Once you connect one of your LAN ports either through a switch on the pfSense Router or an external switch on the LAN, you should be able to use any decent router that can be set up in AP (Access Point) mode.

P.S. Later this year I am going to move to two ASUS 802.11ax routers in AIMesh mode.

Phizix

slimypizza

@duvel

With the work from home restrictions the wife and I saw the need to upgrade our wifi and so I went from an old Asus AC66U and an older Asus used as an extender, to Netgear Orbi (3 station) in AP mode. Immediate improvement both in throughput and coverage. I wish I’d done this ages ago but was not motivated until now. No problems interfacing with pFsense, Sonos, etc.