USB WiFi adapter for PfSense?
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I've seen some chatter about using a USB WiFi Dongle on a Netgate Appliance. I have a number of single person offices. I'd like to put them all behind a PfSense appliance, but I need Wireless Access as well. Currently, I'm using a 8 port Poe switch (TP-Link SG-108PE) and an Unifi AP behind my Netgate 2100 for the printer, PC, and POE for the AP). But, this really is overkill for one person and is just more stuff to jam into a small office space.
I'd really like to install one appliance for these single person offices. I thought of using a Desktop WiFi Bridge, but again, more stuff to shove onto a courner of a desk for one person.So, is there a realistic solution using a USB WiFi dongle for wireless connections to the LAN? I do not need 'cheek-fluttering speed', but stable for web based data entry and office type work.
Thanks for any suggestions
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Since pfSense is FreeBSD based, you are limited to the set of drivers and devices which are supported by FreeBSD. Generally, those are older standards which only support vulnerable authentication and slower speeds.
You are always much better off using an external access point. You can easily pick up used access points of eBay or you can pick up an inexpensive GL.iNet travel router. In which case, you might simply be better off using inexpensive wifi router that supports your needs and eliminate the added complexity and cost of two seperate devices.
Just my 2¢
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Yes an external AP is better in almost every way. But it can work with a USB WiFi device. It will only work at 802.11n speeds though. Look for an older device. Just try whatever you have is a reasonable approach.
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@linuxpc4me 1 man office? Do customers come into this office? You could say the "office" is overkill for 1 person ;)
Just have them work from home?
You could say pfsense is overkill for 1 person office as well. The 2100 has ports, what is the point of the tplink switch? To provide poe for your AP? Why not just use an injector?
If I was looking to reduce space used by the networking gear. I would get rid of the switch and just use the ports on the 2100. You have not mentioned a lot of gear that would need to be wired. Some tiny that is not required to be mounted AP.. Say something like the unifi swiss army knife (UK-Ultra).. Even with the also tiny injector your under 100 bucks.
Freebsd and wifi is just not a good fit if you ask me.
Also, inline with pfsense overkill for 1 person office.. The mentioned gl.inet travel routers could be a decent fit.. They have models with 2 lan switch ports, very tiny little devices. They run openwrt so very open to other needs like firewall features, etc. I mean pfsense is great, and can sure see using it for something like this, etc. But sometimes there are better options for specific use cases.. If I had space that was tight and 1 person only and wanted couple wired ports and wifi the little travel routers from gl.inet could for sure be a nobrainer solution to that problem.
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Thank you all for your sage advice!
Yes, it would be easier to issue a "WalMart" router, but I'd have no remote access to the firewall and security is reduced.
I looked at the GL.iNET unit, but I'd still have to have additional ports for printer, PC, etc.
This gives me some ideas to pursue. Thanks again -
@linuxpc4me said in USB WiFi adapter for PfSense?:
but I'd still have to have additional ports for printer, PC, etc.
The gl.inet models have 2 lan ports and 1 wan port. 2 lan ports could be used for printer and pc. What else would be needed for lan ports?
As to remote access to the gl.inet - yeah you can setup vpn to them for remote access. Or just open the gui to your source IP only.
For sure a pfsense would have more features and ease of firewall rules, etc. but the gl.inet run openwrt which is really feature rich and can setup firewall on, etc..
You could also just leverage the gl.inet as your wifi - you have ports on your 2100 and then couple extra ports on your gl.inet to leverage. Its a tiny little thing - I have the sft-1200 that I take with me on the road as travel router, etc.
A usb dongle to turn pfsense into a wifi router would be my last choice for sure.. Only way I would do something like that is - hey I need wifi NOW, and have this dongle available - as a use until can fix sort sort of setup.
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@linuxpc4me said in USB WiFi adapter for PfSense?:
is there a realistic solution using a USB WiFi dongle for wireless connections to the LAN?
Define "realistic".
First, using USB in networking is a bad idea. You can do it ad-hoc, but for an infrastructure device such as router, it's rarely good.
Second, pfSense is a FreeBSD derivative and inherits hardware compatibility from FreeBSD. Wireless support in FreeBSD currently stops at N.
Third, most USB dongles are designed to be used in station mode only. What you need, meanwhile, is access point (AP) mode.
Assuming you still want to do this, you will need to find a dongle that (1) works in AP mode, and (2) is old enough to be supported on FreeBSD.
So realistically, you should either get an external access point or abandon pfSense in favor of OpenWrt, which is a Linux, so it supports wireless up to AX and should add BE support later this year.
