Potential pfSense user: is pfSense right for me?
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I've got a 9xxMHz PIII laptop with 128MB ram and an Atheros wireless card that I'd like to turn into a wireless router. (The screen is burnt out)
I only need to support an internal web server with very low traffic, internal ftp server also with low traffic (when I am somewhere else and want to get a file from my home computer) two laptops and one desktop. I would also like traffic shaping so my downloads don't kill my web browsing, and I'd also like my torrent downloads to not crash my internet connection like they do to my current router.
It looks like pfSense has me covered on all bases, but I'm just worried about one thing – connecting my cable modem via USB. I know that USB should have me covered on throughput since my cable connection is only ~4Mb/sec, but what I don't know is if the CPU overhead will be a problem, and more importantly if pfSense plays nice with USB.
I'm a poor college kid, so what I have is what I've got to work with. Any and all thoughts and opinions are welcome!
Thanks,
-Chris
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you need a utp cable modem for pfsense sorry
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Really? :-\
If that's the case then I guess I'll have to use Shorewall (or another Linux based solution), but even that is going to be a pain since wireless support for it at this time is a bit of a hack.
And pfSense was looking so promising… :-[
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I'm thinking about taking my wireless card apart like this:
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so that I can put it in the bottom PCMCIA slot and place an inexpensive ethernet adapter in the top PCMCIA slot. Removing that bulge on the wireless card would solve my problem of not being able to fit 2 PCMCIA cards in the laptop at the same time!
pfSense does support pcmcia wireless and ethernet adapters, right? crosses fingers
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In general yes, however not all drivers are able to run in all modes and some cards won't be supported al all. In general we recommend atheros based chipsets. Just boot the livecd and check out if the card is assignable.
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I do have an Atheros card, but have not yet purchased a PCMCIA/CardBus ethernet adapter. I'm looking on newegg.com for some options (all of which are <$20 shipped) and was wondering if there is any way of verifying pfSense support for these?
SYBA SD-PCB-LAN CardBus Wired Network Adapter
ENCORE ENP832-TX-PCCM 10/100Mbps PCMCIA Ethernet Adapter
Zonet ZEN1200 10/100Mbps Ethernet CardBus Card
StarTech UE1205CB Dongle-less 10/100Mbps PCMCIA CardBus Ethernet Card
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If you get a network card with a dongle you could stick it on the bottom and put the wireless card on top. That way you wouldn't have to take it apart.
Or if you do take it apart just rip off the plastic that covers the antenna. That way metal casing can guide the card in correctly.
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If you get a network card with a dongle you could stick it on the bottom and put the wireless card on top. That way you wouldn't have to take it apart.
Or if you do take it apart just rip off the plastic that covers the antenna. That way metal casing can guide the card in correctly.
btw, the metalcase is also used to get rid of heat. Removing it could load to heat issues besides the danger of short circuits.