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    CHEAP hardware - SOHO, Home, Midsize, etc.

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Hardware
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    • K
      KJFubar
      last edited by

      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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      • AhnHELA
        AhnHEL
        last edited by

        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/

        AhnHEL (Angel)

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        • K
          KJFubar
          last edited by

          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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          • AhnHELA
            AhnHEL
            last edited by

            @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.

            AhnHEL (Angel)

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            • K
              KJFubar
              last edited by

              @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 ??

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