Thinking about using a firebox, some questions
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Considering you could have paid $6674 for one that seems very reasonable! :D
I had few problems with the X5500e I have. The CPU is not recognised by the est(4) driver so powerd doesn't work. You may have to swap it out. The VPN card is not supported but whilst it was in the box it caused huge interrupt load. You should remove it.
Steve
Ok! some questions steve, hope you have the time.
#In my opionion it should be better to use a compact flash 4gb instead of a 2,5" drive, since i'm guessing the HDD would be using more power?
#Do you think i should flash my bios? if you do, with what version?
#When installing to a CF card how to i reach the configuration of pfsense?//BR
Patrik -
It will work with the 2GHz cpu that is fitted as standard to the X-Peak-e.
However you won't be able to turn on powerd which means it will run hotter and you won't be able to slow the fans as much and hence it will be louder.
Replacement CPUs that will work (any Pentium-M with a 400MHz FSB) are very cheap.I am using a CF card, it's an easier option. The only reason to go for a hard disk is if you need a specific package that needs the storage space.
You need to access the bios because a bug in the bios code stops the box booting from anything larger than 256MB. To work around it you need to set the IDE channel to manual and CHS and then set the heads to 2.
You can do this either by getting a PCI-E graphics card and some sort of adapter to make it fit the slot and making up a keyboard connector to go on the header. Alternatively you an flash the bios with the modified version that enables serial port access to the bios. Probably easier! ;)
All the boxes I've seen or spoken to others about had the same buggy bios labeled either 2005/12/21 or X017. If you had anything different it would be great.The NanoBSD install to a CF card uses the serial port for it's console so you need a null modem cable and a computer with a serial port. You'll need this for the initial install and setup but after that it's all web based.
Steve
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It will work with the 2GHz cpu that is fitted as standard to the X-Peak-e.
However you won't be able to turn on powerd which means it will run hotter and you won't be able to slow the fans as much and hence it will be louder.
Replacement CPUs that will work (any Pentium-M with a 400MHz FSB) are very cheap.I am using a CF card, it's an easier option. The only reason to go for a hard disk is if you need a specific package that needs the storage space.
You need to access the bios because a bug in the bios code stops the box booting from anything larger than 256MB. To work around it you need to set the IDE channel to manual and CHS and then set the heads to 2.
You can do this either by getting a PCI-E graphics card and some sort of adapter to make it fit the slot and making up a keyboard connector to go on the header. Alternatively you an flash the bios with the modified version that enables serial port access to the bios. Probably easier! ;)
All the boxes I've seen or spoken to others about had the same buggy bios labeled either 2005/12/21 or X017. If you had anything different it would be great.The NanoBSD install to a CF card uses the serial port for it's console so you need a null modem cable and a computer with a serial port. You'll need this for the initial install and setup but after that it's all web based.
Steve
Ok thank you! so if i find a cf with 256mb of space then i could use that without making changes to the bios? (with the nano bsd?)
I guess the best solution is to flash the bios then :) but where do i find it? and to access the bios i do with the nullmodem cable right? is this still buggy? or will it be pretty easy to change the settings?Btw is it possible to use a serial to usb adaptor?
//BR
Patrik -
The minimum CF card size is 512MB for the NanoBSD images so you need to access the bios.
Instructions for doing that are here.Yes you can use a USB serial adapter. Make you know it is working before you start or it's easy to get confused. Connect up your serial cable/usb adapter/terminal program and boot the Watchguard OS. You should see the boot up at 115200 8N1.
Steve
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The minimum CF card size is 512MB for the NanoBSD images so you need to access the bios.
Instructions for doing that are here.Yes you can use a USB serial adapter. Make you know it is working before you start or it's easy to get confused. Connect up your serial cable/usb adapter/terminal program and boot the Watchguard OS. You should see the boot up at 115200 8N1.
Steve
Ok cool!
So the things i need before starting is:#Firebox (doh!)
#Nullmodem cable
#cf card with 16mb+ (maximum 256mb)
#cf card for the OS (4gb) -
Yes.
You can use the CF card that comes in it if you don't want the Watchguard OS (or back it up first).
There is almost no point in using a 4GB over a 2GB card and there is absolutely no point in using a super fast card. pfSense won't use UDMA and it only reduces boot time slightly anyway.Steve
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I just received a message from the post office that finally they have arrived.
Just came up with a question.
Do i need to flash the bios or just enable these things? (for larger cf cards).If i understand everything right i need a nullmodem cable to access the bios? and a cf card 512mb+ to use with pfsense.
Do i need anything else?
//BR
Patrik -
Recently some other users have had great trouble getting a 512MB card to boot. It seems that at least some 512MB cards will not boot with the bios set either at 'auto' or heads=2 so to be safe get a card at least 1GB. I have personally used 2GB and 4GB cards with no problems.
Steve
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Recently some other users have had great trouble getting a 512MB card to boot. It seems that at least some 512MB cards will not boot with the bios set either at 'auto' or heads=2 so to be safe get a card at least 1GB. I have personally used 2GB and 4GB cards with no problems.
Steve
Ok! then i'll buy a 1-2gb card.
But i dont need to flash the bios or? Can you tell me the steps in short… :)
//BR
Patrik -
Yes you will need to flash the bios.
To do that you need the serial cable (and usb adapter if you need it) and a very small CF card. You can use the card from the box if you don't want to keep it.
Instructions to do it are here.Steve
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Haven't picked it up from the post office yet, but i found a Intel T5500 SL9U4 (Core2duo 1,66ghz 667bus) do you think it will work in the firebox?
//BR
Patrik -
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No it won't. We are still talking about the x5500e?
Only Pentium-M and equiavalent Celerons will work. Of those only 400MHz FSB are supported by the est driver giving the best power savings.Steve
Ok! i see, i also have a Pentium M 750 1,86ghz but since its a 533 bus it won't work with the eist driver either i guess?
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Hi! just picked the fireboxes up from the post and i just opened one of them up.
And the motherboard doesnt look like yours, i think it look exactly the same as the x750e but this one has one more card with ports.
But when i boot it up it says x5500e.Here are some pcitures: https://picasaweb.google.com/108726448953608241540
What do you think i should do with flashing etc.?
//BR
Patrik -
LOL I think I've may have been a little confused reading all these threads.
The x5500e and the x6000e is not the same hardware (which i thought)
Will i be able to use the other four interfaces or should i wait for pfsense 2.1? (I think you told me earlier that people had some problems with them because of a bug in freebsd).
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Looks exactly the same as the X5500e I have here. It's an early model (I think) as it has all the headers populated which is nice. :)
The X6000 (no e) is an X-Peak model which is different.
Write the bios flashing CF card and get the bios info. It will almost certainly be the same as mine (all have been so far).
The bug for the further 4 interfaces exists in 2.0.1 as it's still built on FreeBSD 8.1. That said I have run it with no problems, it only ever showed up for me when I was testing the throughput. I've never had a problem with it when connected to 100TX device.
There are some early builds of 2.1 (now based on FreeBSD 8.3) available if you do have problems. Though these are snapshots for testing only, here: http://iserv.nl/files/pfsense/releng83/
Steve
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Looks exactly the same as the X5500e I have here. It's an early model (I think) as it has all the headers populated which is nice. :)
The X6000 (no e) is an X-Peak model which is different.
Write the bios flashing CF card and get the bios info. It will almost certainly be the same as mine (all have been so far).
The bug for the further 4 interfaces exists in 2.0.1 as it's still built on FreeBSD 8.1. That said I have run it with no problems, it only ever showed up for me when I was testing the throughput. I've never had a problem with it when connected to 100TX device.
There are some early builds of 2.1 (now based on FreeBSD 8.3) available if you do have problems. Though these are snapshots for testing only, here: http://iserv.nl/files/pfsense/releng83/
Steve
Now i've flashed the bios and everything just the intall left.
I cant get it to boot my Kingston 4gb cf card (elite pro 133x)
Which image should i use?
And can you check my uploaded file if my settings are correct.
//BR
Patrik
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Try the 2.0.1 image first. I use:
pfSense-2.0.1-RELEASE-1g-i386-nanobsd.img.gz
This works fine on a 4GB card (and takes a lot less time to write!)Remember that the bios appears at 115200 baud but the serial output from pfSense is at 9600 so you have to change your serial terminal settings.
I have no idea what the settings for your card should be, the card geometry is defined by the manufacturer. However if you first auto detected it and then set it to manual changing only the heads to 2 it should work.
Steve
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Lol My bad :) i had it connected at 115200 :) then that was the problem since I saw the LEDs goinging crazy :) will try it tomorrow! Your help is very much appreciated.
Nite!
BR
Patrik -
They are socket 479, pretty much any Celeron-M or Pentium-M will fit. The standard CPU is a 1.3GHz Celeron. Everything I have fitted has worked but I've had best results with the 400MHz FSB Pentium-M chips. These are fully supported by the version of powerd that ships with pfSense 2.0.X so you get full advantage of Speedstep with it's reduced heat and power consumption.
Hi,
can both be used: sl8ba or sl6n5. Bothe are Pentium M 1,7 GHz…. with 400 MHZ FSB and 479 socket.
Matthias
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Yes.
If you have the choice go for the SL8BA, it's a Dothan core which runs cooler and twice the amount of on board cache.In case you didn't realise you have to set the jumpers (both sets) on the motherboard to select between Banias or Dothan.
Steve
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Yes.
If you have the choice go for the SL8BA, it's a Dothan core which runs cooler and twice the amount of on board cache.In case you didn't realise you have to set the jumpers (both sets) on the motherboard to select between Banias or Dothan.
Steve
I assume that this is discribed here in the forum, isn't it? You mean the jumpers an the side of the cpu socket?
OK, found the trhead. But what do you mean with "both sets"?
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There are two sets of (actually DIP switches) on the board. Both have to be set if you put a Dothan CPU in the box. One set is next to the CPU socket and the other is in the centre of the motherboard.
Steve
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Is there any need to configure the system (BIOS) to get all the benefits of the new faster CPU?
BTW: can I exchange the CPU in a Firebox X700?
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No, there are no BIOS settings required for a different cpu, just the DIP switches.
The CPU in the X700 can be swapped, quite a few users have done this. You can fit up to a 1.4GHz Tualatin Pentium 3.
Steve
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Yes.
If you have the choice go for the SL8BA, it's a Dothan core which runs cooler and twice the amount of on board cache.In case you didn't realise you have to set the jumpers (both sets) on the motherboard to select between Banias or Dothan.
Steve
I assume that this is discribed here in the forum, isn't it? You mean the jumpers an the side of the cpu socket?
OK, found the trhead. But what do you mean with "both sets"?
I'm confused because people keep talking about the x5500 peak.
I just bought a plain Firebox x750e, and I want to upgrade the cpu to the lower powered POWERD functions so should I buy a SL8BA for the cpu upgrade and it will work for my x750e with only a couple of switch settings, correct? Exactly what type of DDR 400 ram NON-ECC or ECC get because I'm gonna order that, too.
Also, am I'm going to need a CF writer for my windows machine to burn a fresh Pfsense CF card for the x750e and will SanDisk SDCFH-004G-A11 do?
Thanks so much,
corvey -
See my reply in the x550e thread.
Additionally, yes you will need a CF reader of some type to flash the image. The 4GB Sandisk card should be fine. Consider that there is very little point spending more on a faster card. It will only reduce your bootup time marginally. Once booted pfSense runs almost entirely from ram.Steve
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Quoting myself. ::)
@stephenw10:Everything I have tried has worked, this board is not fussy.
CPUs:
SL6N7 1.3GHz Banias Celeron-M (original cpu)
SL7GL 1.5GHz Dothan Pentium-M
SL7EP 1.7GHz Dothan Pentium-MCF:
4GB Transend
2GB SonyRam:
2X 1GB Nanya 6400 DDR2 (cheapest I could find on Ebay!)Those are the components I have actually tried myself. I would expect any Pentium-M or Celeron-M to work, SL8BA should work fine. The only thing to consider is that you need to use a cpu that is directly supported by the est(4) driver in order to use speedstep (via powerd). This is because the BIOS provides no speedstep information via acpi as it would do in a laptop for example. Only the 400MHz FSB pentium-M processors are supported:
static cpu_info ESTprocs[] = { INTEL(PM17_130, 1700, 1484, 600, 956, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM16_130, 1600, 1484, 600, 956, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM15_130, 1500, 1484, 600, 956, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM14_130, 1400, 1484, 600, 956, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM13_130, 1300, 1388, 600, 956, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM13_LV_130, 1300, 1180, 600, 956, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM12_LV_130, 1200, 1180, 600, 956, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM11_LV_130, 1100, 1180, 600, 956, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM11_ULV_130, 1100, 1004, 600, 844, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM10_ULV_130, 1000, 1004, 600, 844, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_765A_90, 2100, 1340, 600, 988, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_765B_90, 2100, 1324, 600, 988, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_765C_90, 2100, 1308, 600, 988, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_765E_90, 2100, 1356, 600, 988, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_755A_90, 2000, 1340, 600, 988, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_755B_90, 2000, 1324, 600, 988, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_755C_90, 2000, 1308, 600, 988, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_755D_90, 2000, 1276, 600, 988, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_745A_90, 1800, 1340, 600, 988, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_745B_90, 1800, 1324, 600, 988, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_745C_90, 1800, 1308, 600, 988, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_745D_90, 1800, 1276, 600, 988, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_735A_90, 1700, 1340, 600, 988, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_735B_90, 1700, 1324, 600, 988, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_735C_90, 1700, 1308, 600, 988, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_735D_90, 1700, 1276, 600, 988, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_725A_90, 1600, 1340, 600, 988, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_725B_90, 1600, 1324, 600, 988, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_725C_90, 1600, 1308, 600, 988, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_725D_90, 1600, 1276, 600, 988, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_715A_90, 1500, 1340, 600, 988, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_715B_90, 1500, 1324, 600, 988, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_715C_90, 1500, 1308, 600, 988, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_715D_90, 1500, 1276, 600, 988, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_778_90, 1600, 1116, 600, 988, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_758_90, 1500, 1116, 600, 988, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_738_90, 1400, 1116, 600, 988, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_773G_90, 1300, 956, 600, 812, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_773H_90, 1300, 940, 600, 812, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_773I_90, 1300, 924, 600, 812, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_773J_90, 1300, 908, 600, 812, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_773K_90, 1300, 892, 600, 812, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_773L_90, 1300, 876, 600, 812, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_753G_90, 1200, 956, 600, 812, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_753H_90, 1200, 940, 600, 812, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_753I_90, 1200, 924, 600, 812, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_753J_90, 1200, 908, 600, 812, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_753K_90, 1200, 892, 600, 812, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_753L_90, 1200, 876, 600, 812, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_733JG_90, 1100, 956, 600, 812, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_733JH_90, 1100, 940, 600, 812, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_733JI_90, 1100, 924, 600, 812, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_733JJ_90, 1100, 908, 600, 812, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_733JK_90, 1100, 892, 600, 812, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_733JL_90, 1100, 876, 600, 812, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_733_90, 1100, 940, 600, 812, INTEL_BUS_CLK), INTEL(PM_723_90, 1000, 940, 600, 812, INTEL_BUS_CLK),
I have only ever tried up to 2GB of ram, I think I have previously said the chipset won't support more but there is often bad info on this stuff. It's standard non-ecc ddr2. You almost certainly won't need more than 2GB anyway.
Watchguard's X****-e boxes all have the same board. The above applies to them all. The peak-e was originally far more expensive, hardly ever appears on ebay and offers no advantage for pfSense really.
Core duo will definitely not work. 32bit only I'm afraid.Steve
Thank you, Steve. I never used CF before, only USB sticks. So I guess I'm going to have to buy one of those, too. I just purchased this one as it was dirt cheap:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200708277134?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
I don't think 64bit is needed anyway and I take it that there are no dual core cpus are available for this x750e model, then. The reason I ask is because I saw some 478 pin Pentium-M dual core versions. A single core 1.7ghz should be strong enough for my needs. It's a must that that I get a cpu with speedstep though because I am concerned with power usage. That SL8BA is the best I can get with speedstep for this Firebox x750e? Any better model numbers for these mobile cpus, like one with a 4 or 8meg cache or HT perhaps?
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There are faster compatible cpus. The Pentium-M 765 is probably the best you could get at 2.1GHz. However they almost never appear for sale and they command a very high price when they do. Just not worth it.
Although there are dual core cpus that phisically fit and are basically two pentium-m chips in one package they aren't electrically compatible.
If power is your highest priority there are low power and ultra low power pentium-m cpus but I've never seen one that is socketed, though it seems they may have been available:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Pentium_M_microprocessorsSteve
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What about this SL7F3, it is 1.4ghz with only TDP 10 watts for 10 bucks on Ebay… It even has speedstep. Do you think it'll be strong enough and will work with the x750e? All of those other low powered ones they want like between 50 to 130 bucks for them; that's crazy.
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It should work. I.e. the voltage regulator on the board has to be able to go down to those low voltages but that shouldn't be a problem. It may not be any actual power saving over a standard Pentium-M. If you look at the voltage it's not any lower that some other CPUs, it's the high voltage that is lower. If your chip is running at idle most of the time (like mine is) then this may not save power. It would be interesting to find out though.
It will be faster than the standard Celeron CPU. It's clocked higher, has more cache and more recent core revision.This would depend on you being able to get this CPU in a Socket 479 package and NOT a FC-µBGA. Personally I have never seen a LV Pentium-M that wasn't soldered to the board.
Steve
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Ah dang.. That cpu I was looking at is bga and not a socket type, crap.
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Steve:
Hey, you said you have the x750e down to 22 watts at idle here:
http://forum.pfsense.org/index.php/topic,37022.0.html
That's exactly what I'm looking to do to with mine and that sounds like great news to me. So this is possible? What exactly were your steps to obtain this, did you buy a PicoPSU or something? Which CPU code number are you running with?
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That was using a Chinese dc-dc power supply, like a picoPSU but bigger.
http://forum.pfsense.org/index.php/topic,20095.msg170839/topicseen.html#msg170839Steve
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What is "kirf" and which PicoPSU, the 60, 80, 120? Is the power brick serving 12v or is it one of those 6-26 volt models? What is the model number of the Toshiba power brick? Do you have a link to this chinese power supply, is it cheaper or better than the picopsu?
–-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I went ahead and ordered a PicoPSU 120 WI version. I have a dell power pack to tide me over. What is the Toshiba model number and revision? That's the most important part of the power consumption equation.
So here's what I've purchased so far:
Firebox x750e
Sandisk Extreme 8GB 60mb/s (on sale couldn't resist)
CF reader/writer (dirt cheap)
PicoPSU 120 WI (pricey booger)
1x to 16x adapter for visual curiosity (cheap)
null modem cable
I hope the 2GB ddr2 ram modules register in the system. I have several pairs of those
Cheap winning jackpot bid on ebay so now I'll have my choice. I hope that dirty SL7EM in the rough works. :-*
I hope it all works…
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Ah, sorry!
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=KIRFIts a wide input model, 8-28V. The brick is 75W (15V, 5A) it gets quite warm so a better power brick might help.
The PICOPSU is almost certainly far superior!Steve
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Ah, sorry!
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=KIRFIts a wide input model, 8-28V. The brick is 75W (15V, 5A) it gets quite warm so a better power brick might help.
The PICOPSU is almost certainly far superior!Steve
What is the model number of that power pack and the kirf pico that you have, though? If it's a lot cheaper than what I bought already, I can use them on other machines. I went ahead and bought a supposedly genuine oem Toshiba labeled power brick @ 19v & 120w to match the picoPSU 120 WI I bought. If it's overkill, I can still use it in one of the another two Atom boards I have or try it in a bigger 775 machine :)
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The dc-dc power supply is 120W. I don't have it here right now but I imagine its marketed as different things anyway. I used a Toshiba power brick only because I happened to have it. I have no idea if it's particularly efficient.
Steve
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Cool. The CPUs, CF reader/writer, CF card and null cable all came today. The Fireboxs are still on the way. I think the next time I post I'm just gonna open my own PFsense Firebox build thread since it's no longer questions about getting the hardware, but fact, that I have and not thinking about it anymore :)
Thank a lot for the help, Steve. You have a lot of valuable information on this site.