Pfsense+VMWare Workstation efficiency
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Hi,
I have 2 PCs and an internet connection that I want to share.
Would it be OK to run pfsense in VMWare Workstation for NAT-ing (on one of the PCs)?
The CPU is an Intel Core2Quad Q8300(4x2.5Ghz), but I don't want to use more than 1 core for pfsense, because the PC's purpose isn't routing(I still need the CPU's processing power for other things).
The connection goes up to 100mbps, so there will be some high amounts of traffic and 1000+ TCP connections.Would running pfsense inside a VM that's running on WinXP rather than on "bare metal"(like in VMWare ESXi) draw any penalties?
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Not for the little use you are planning…..
I normally run PFSense in a VM, due to admin advantages... Bare metal servers are outdated..............Even if its running on Atom Hardware. Usually a server running sucks 3-400watt depending on the amount of traffic and load. Can you handle 10+ VM's the average is around 40w max pr machine.....compared to running on seperate hardware....I use servers at home for desktop virtualization. Very easy to manage and update....
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I'm sorry but I did not understand your answer very clear.
So, NAT-ing 100mbps(1000+ TCP connections) in VMware Workstation+WinXP, for 2 PCs, would give any trouble to a single core of a Q8300?
And one more thing that isn't clear for me, does the fact that pfsense runs via VMware in WinXP environment, have any drawbacks? IMHO running directly on hardware would be better, but how much better?
I'm worried about interrupts, permissions, the fact that WinXP allows only a limited number of new TCP connections per second, any many other things like these. -
It's urgent. :-[
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It is no problem hardware wise….:)