<![CDATA[CHEAP hardware - SOHO, Home, Midsize, etc.]]>I see this request constantly all over these forums, and seldom a simple answer for newbs. Given PFSense is my personal favorite of all the firewall distro's, I am choosing to share this info here. Slap a sticky on this and watch the thread hit count climb.  ;D

On any given day on Ebay, you can search "Maxspeed" or preferrably "Maxspeed 8*", and for $30-$50 (that's not a typo, I've bought dozens at the lower end of that price range), you can obtain a complete x86 platform - an 800mhz 32bit processor, onboard KVM, sound, 512MB SDRAM, 512MB CF (yep, even includes a 512MB compact flash card!), onboard IDE controller AND a built in CF/IDE adapter, onboard 10/100 PLUS a PCI riser slot (add another PCI NIC, along with VLAN supoort and you have unlimited network expansion), serial port, parallel port, etc. etc. Oh, did I mention its 'fanless' and runs off of a walwart?  :o

Not a big fan of CF or need more storage? Remeber, there's an IDE controller and 4 pin power plug, buy a $5 adapter on ebay and install a XXXGB laptop HDD and have at it, all the expansion you want.

I can also confirm perfect compatibility with PFS1.2.3 embedded image flashed to this system, I'm using it as I type.

Thanks so much for all the effort PFSense team!

PS - If you buy it on EBay from wheelerdealerinc, give me props so he knows who referred you. He's been good to me over the years and his feedback relfects it.

]]>https://forum.netgate.com/topic/19938/cheap-hardware-soho-home-midsize-etcRSS for NodeSun, 07 Jun 2026 20:34:30 GMTMon, 14 Dec 2009 21:48:53 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to CHEAP hardware - SOHO, Home, Midsize, etc. on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:14:20 GMT]]>@onhel:

@KJFubar:

Google / Ebay: DVE DSA-0421S

As an update, that power supply does not fit the Maxterm 8300, plug is too big.  Looking for an alternative option…

Huh, that's strange. As I type, I have one of these Maxterm units working on that exact model number power supply - doesn't make any sense that the DC tip size could be different on the same model, but ??

]]>https://forum.netgate.com/post/221596https://forum.netgate.com/post/221596Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:14:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to CHEAP hardware - SOHO, Home, Midsize, etc. on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:11:33 GMT]]>@KJFubar:

Google / Ebay: DVE DSA-0421S

As an update, that power supply does not fit the Maxterm 8300, plug is too big.  Looking for an alternative option…

Update:

Bought a Kensington Univeral Notebook Power Adapter that comes with 6 tips to plug into various sized power connectors.  The N2 tip fit perfectly.

]]>https://forum.netgate.com/post/218380https://forum.netgate.com/post/218380Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:11:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to CHEAP hardware - SOHO, Home, Midsize, etc. on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:02:43 GMT]]>Google / Ebay: DVE DSA-0421S

This is only one example, any 12V 3.8A DC power supply (+ tip, - sleeve) adapter would work.

$5-$15 typically… used to include these in the auctions, I guess the well is running dry.  :-\

]]>https://forum.netgate.com/post/216290https://forum.netgate.com/post/216290Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:02:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to CHEAP hardware - SOHO, Home, Midsize, etc. on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:58:31 GMT]]>Read about these before, supposedly like you said they run very well.  Nicer embedded option than an ALIX supposedly.  Any thoughts on where and how much a power supply is?

http://weblog.mrbill.net/archives/2009/07/26/building-the-perfect-routerfirewall-for-45/

]]>https://forum.netgate.com/post/216237https://forum.netgate.com/post/216237Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:58:31 GMT