Netgate Discussion Forum
    • Categories
    • Recent
    • Tags
    • Popular
    • Users
    • Search
    • Register
    • Login

    Recommendation for 100 Mbps connection?

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Hardware
    4 Posts 2 Posters 2.9k Views
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • S
      sofakng
      last edited by

      I've just had Comcast business internet installed and even though I'm provisioned at 22/5 I'm receiving 100/5 so I can't complain.

      However, my old WRT54G can't handle the speed and I think I killed it so I need something better.

      I'm very interested in pfSense but I'd like to build a system for a cheap as possible since it's only going to be used at home with a couple of home servers, etc.

      Are there pre-built systems to handle this 100/5 connection (plus ntop/rrd graphs, qos, etc)?

      Thanks for any advice.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • Cry HavokC
        Cry Havok
        last edited by

        General guide can be found here, one click from the pfSense home page.  From that:

        51-200 Mbps - No less than 1.0 GHz CPU

        You'll also need Gbit ports to be able to max out your 100 Mb/s service, otherwise you'll max out somewhere below that (probably in the 80-90 Mb/s mark).

        Note that the quality of the network chipset makes a big difference.  I have a 1 GHz box that'll max out around 50-60 Mb/s because it uses a low quality (Realtek) chipset.  With server grade Intel NICs you could probably get a way with a lower power CPU.  The number of packets per second (PPS) will have a big impact on your requirements, as will what packages you want to use.  You'll find many threads on the matter in this forum.

        Finally, to get a list of recommended pre-built systems it would help if you said where in the world you are.

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • S
          sofakng
          last edited by

          Thanks for the reply.

          I did read that recommendation from the guide but it seems like most single-board computers (ALIX) only go up to about 500 MHz and only have 256 MB of RAM which is a bit disappointing.

          It seems as though I need to build my own system if I want something to handle what I mentioned above.  (100 Mbps, NTOP/RRD, QoS)

          Anyways, I'm located in Pennsylvania (USA) if that helps.

          Thanks for any more advice!

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • Cry HavokC
            Cry Havok
            last edited by

            You've not been looking hard enough ;)

            Take a look at this (UK) for a start, or this (UK) plus an additional NIC.  A search for "mini ITX" systems should find you many online stores.

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • First post
              Last post
            Copyright 2025 Rubicon Communications LLC (Netgate). All rights reserved.