Improving LAN Speed with 1 Gbps and 2.5 Gbps LAN Connections

[tomasenskede]

I'm in the process of planning an upgrade for my LAN, aiming to transition to a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet setup by introducing a small 2.5 Gbps switch. My pfSense firewall/router is equipped with multiple LAN NICs.

I've identified two possible configurations:

1. Connect pfSense LAN1 directly to the 2.5 Gbps switch, which is then linked to a 1 Gbps switch.
2. Establish a connection between pfSense LAN1 and a 1 Gbps switch, leading to the regular LAN, while pfSense LAN2 connects to the 2.5 Gbps switch, creating a fast LAN.

In Alternative 1, the 2.5 Gbps switch handles all traffic, whereas in Alternative 2, a significant amount of traffic is routed through pfSense, necessitating the use of two subnets with gateways. One of the main considerations is the management of routing rules within pfSense.

Now, let's delve into the pros and cons of each alternative and explore some ideas and recommendations.