Pfsense on ALIX2D3-2D13-Kit

http://store.netgate.com/ALIX2D3-2D13-Kit-Black-Unassembled-P172C82.aspx

i am reading that it comes with 256mb of memory. will that be enough for 5-10 computer users (no heavy loads, general browsing and downloading a file every now and then)?

i see that there is a memory module to add more memory, which is why i ask.

i dont plan on running additional packages, just basic DHCP/DNS router functions.

thanks.

stephenw10

You cannot add more ram to the Alix boards. The slot you see is miniPCI.
Number of users is not as important as throughput. The Alix can firewall/NAT up to around 85Mbps. That's without any extra packages.

Steve

cmb

If you're running default settings, and don't need any more than around 100,000 simultaneous connections (I've yet to see a 5-10 computer network with general usage get over 1000 much less 100K) and 85 Mbps of throughput, you'll be fine with an ALIX.

@stephenw10:

You cannot add more ram to the Alix boards. The slot you see is miniPCI.
Number of users is not as important as throughput. The Alix can firewall/NAT up to around 85Mbps. That's without any extra packages.

Steve

got it, thanks. throughput wont be a problem, the site where it will live is running a 12/1 DSL connection.

can i experiment with packages and see what ones stress the alix box or is it recommended to not even try it?

stephenw10

Sure you can test, it's your box. :)
Just be aware that you are experimenting, perhaps have a duplicate CF card standing by.
Search the forum, you'll find that people are running almost every package on their Alix boxes. Even Snort and Squid (the two biggest resource hogs) can by run but they are limited in functionality by the lack of ram.

For a 12/1 connection the Alix fits your needs perfectly.

Steve

cmb

Personally, I wouldn't even think about running Snort or Squid with 256 MB RAM, just not enough breathing room for my comfort. Snort especially, it'd take some work to find a Snort config that's functional in 256 MB RAM.

But sure, mess around with whatever you want, I would just not recommend it after you're in production as the end result of running out of RAM on embedded is processes getting killed off at random, which obviously could be a really big problem.

@cmb:

Personally, I wouldn't even think about running Snort or Squid with 256 MB RAM, just not enough breathing room for my comfort. Snort especially, it'd take some work to find a Snort config that's functional in 256 MB RAM.

But sure, mess around with whatever you want, I would just not recommend it after you're in production as the end result of running out of RAM on embedded is processes getting killed off at random, which obviously could be a really big problem.

understood. i plan on having a spare, assuming all goes will with this one, to test with/edit settings.

joako

Thanks for reminding me I still need to test out SNORT on the ALIX I have.