CHEAP hardware - SOHO, Home, Midsize, etc.
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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.
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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/
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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. :-\
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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.
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@onhel:
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 ??
