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    HP Desktop w/Intel Core i5-7400

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved General pfSense Questions
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    • J
      JD69
      last edited by JD69

      Hi,

      Been studying pfSense and looking at hardware, reading online and I just would like to know if y’all would suggest using the desktop I mentioned to create a router, firewall, proxy, VPN server out of it. Or buy something newer online that already has all of the functions available it it?

      I’m a desktop analyst by trade with some networking knowledge. I can read documentation and follow it quite well and wouldn’t mind having to take care of things myself. Also don’t mind learning new things from time to time as long as it doesn’t interfere with binge watching my movies and shows.

      On the other hand, I don’t mind spending some money and using the desktop for something else which, allows for more binging.

      Want to be able to use the device to have a couple of machines on VPN and get close to 1Gb speeds if I upgrade from current 500 Mbit package. Also would like to have proxy capabilities and ad blocking.

      The specs of the machine I have are:

      Intel Core i5-7400 (I believe it has AES- NI capability)

      16 GB DDR4

      256 GB SSD nVme

      1 1Gb LAN Port

      WI-FI Capable

      Should have one PCIE Slot open. Need to check this.

      Budget for something new is no more then $450.00

      I would really appreciate any constructive feedback. Thank you in advance!

      P JKnottJ 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • stephenw10S
        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
        last edited by

        You want to be able to pass 1Gbps encrypted over VPN? What type of VPN?

        The on-board WIFI probably won't work but you're much better off using an external AP. Currently.

        Steve

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • P
          Patch @JD69
          last edited by Patch

          @JD69 said in HP Desktop w/Intel Core i5-7400:

          Want to be able to use the device to

          I suggest start by looking closely at the Netgate hardware and it's documented performance. Their systems are more optimised that you will achieve so interpret their specs as your minimum. See https://www.netgate.com/appliances

          @JD69 said in HP Desktop w/Intel Core i5-7400:

          and get close to 1Gb speeds

          @JD69 said in HP Desktop w/Intel Core i5-7400:

          1 1Gb LAN Port

          So you will need to add at least another NIC
          Ram & Disk size specified are likely to be far more than will be required for your stated application

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • J
            JD69
            last edited by

            I’ve read about the Netgate devices and something I don’t understand is when I read that the firewall, for instance, reads IMIX Traffic: 249 Mbps. Does that mean I’m only going to get that speed out of the device? (Please be understanding with me. I’m not an expert networking person. Thank you!)

            Also, I left out that if I were to use my desktop, I’d add a four port Intel NIC to the machine. This would give me the four ports I need to connect the devices I’d want connected later on if I got it working the way I need it to.

            I currently have Spectrum cable internet service with 500 Mbps and 1Gbps is available but, I want to be able to get the best I can out of it. As for WI-FI, I’d use the WI-FI box that I lease from them if possible.

            Thank you all again for your understanding and responses.

            AndyRHA 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • stephenw10S
              stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
              last edited by

              Most traffic is limited by packets per second the firewall/router can pass so the actual throughput in Mbps varies with the packet size. IMIX traffic attempts to replicate real world traffic with varied packet size. An iperf test or using speedtest.net uses all full sized packets so gives a greater total.

              That i5 would pass 1Gbps very easily if you're just looking at the firewall/router throughput with full sized packets.

              If you want to see 1Gbps encrypted traffic where pfSense is running the VPN that is a far higher load. The CPU would probably do it though with the right VPN config/type.

              Steve

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • AndyRHA
                AndyRH @JD69
                last edited by

                @JD69 said in HP Desktop w/Intel Core i5-7400:

                As for WI-FI, I’d use the WI-FI box that I lease from them if possible.

                This will be on the wrong side of pfSense is you want pfSense to manage that traffic.

                o||||o
                7100-1u

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • J
                  JD69
                  last edited by

                  Ok, sounds like I’ll try my desktop and order a four port NIC. I’ve read Intel is the best. Anyone have suggestions on a model?

                  As for the WI-FI, if I can have traffic just pass thru one port of the router to the WI-FI I’ll do that as it has it’s own firewall.

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • stephenw10S
                    stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                    last edited by

                    I would look at OEM rebranded used NICs: https://forums.servethehome.com/index.php?threads/list-of-nics-and-their-equivalent-oem-parts.20974/

                    There are an alarming number of fake Intel NICs around if you're looking at new devices.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • JKnottJ
                      JKnott @JD69
                      last edited by

                      @JD69 said in HP Desktop w/Intel Core i5-7400:

                      Been studying pfSense and looking at hardware, reading online and I just would like to know if y’all would suggest using the desktop I mentioned to create a router, firewall, proxy, VPN server out of it. Or buy something newer online that already has all of the functions available it it?

                      You're going to want to have more than one NIC. While you might be able to add a NIC to that box, you could also buy one that already has more than one. I bought the Qotom computer described in my sig and am quite happy. The CPU runs around 2-3% when getting over 900 Mb down, with speedtest.

                      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...

                      fireodoF 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • fireodoF
                        fireodo @JKnott
                        last edited by

                        @JKnott said in HP Desktop w/Intel Core i5-7400:

                        The CPU runs around 2-3% when getting over 900 Mb down, with speedtest.

                        Just out of curiosity - what packages are you running on your pfsense?
                        Thanks,
                        fireodo

                        Kettop Mi4300YL CPU: i5-4300Y @ 1.60GHz RAM: 8GB Ethernet Ports: 4
                        SSD: SanDisk pSSD-S2 16GB (ZFS) WiFi: WLE200NX
                        pfsense 2.8.0 CE
                        Packages: Apcupsd, Cron, Iftop, Iperf, LCDproc, Nmap, pfBlockerNG, RRD_Summary, Shellcmd, Snort, Speedtest, System_Patches.

                        JKnottJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • J
                          JD69
                          last edited by

                          I was going to ask the same question about the packages.

                          I did consider this machine but, I want to learn pfSense before jumping into more money. Besides, what I have available to me in specs is considered good. I ordered a four port i350 pcie v2 card last night for $90.00. Found on eBay and going by the pictures I had them send me, it’s a genuine i350 v2.

                          Going to setup a VM tonight or tomorrow to start checking pfSense out and get a feel for her. From what I’ve been reading it’s not too complex. So I should be able to understand it, even at my age.

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                          • JKnottJ
                            JKnott @fireodo
                            last edited by

                            @fireodo said in HP Desktop w/Intel Core i5-7400:

                            Just out of curiosity - what packages are you running on your pfsense?

                            apcupsd
                            Backup
                            frr
                            iperf
                            nmap
                            openvpn-client-export

                            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...

                            fireodoF 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • fireodoF
                              fireodo @JKnott
                              last edited by fireodo

                              @JKnott said in HP Desktop w/Intel Core i5-7400:

                              apcupsd
                              Backup
                              frr
                              iperf
                              nmap
                              openvpn-client-export

                              Thanks - that explains why your CPU-Load is so low at high speed transfer! (no pfblocker and or IDS/IPS)

                              Kettop Mi4300YL CPU: i5-4300Y @ 1.60GHz RAM: 8GB Ethernet Ports: 4
                              SSD: SanDisk pSSD-S2 16GB (ZFS) WiFi: WLE200NX
                              pfsense 2.8.0 CE
                              Packages: Apcupsd, Cron, Iftop, Iperf, LCDproc, Nmap, pfBlockerNG, RRD_Summary, Shellcmd, Snort, Speedtest, System_Patches.

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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