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    Is pfSense what I need?

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Problems Installing or Upgrading pfSense Software
    15 Posts 6 Posters 3.8k Views
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    • G
      godlyatheist
      last edited by

      I'm trying to replace the wireless router in my office so I thought I wanted to try using a computer. The main reason is stability because all the routers we buy dies in less than 1 year and I'm tired of rebooting them over and over. I plan to use an old Dell desktop (circa 2007) and add a dual port Intel gigabit NIC and a wireless NIC. Am I correct in thinking that I can connect the DSL modem into 1 of the Intel port, connect a switch into the other Intel port, then have the wireless NIC do Wifi? Would all the NIC work together on a single network?

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      • GertjanG
        Gertjan
        last edited by

        Hello.

        That what I'm already doing for years now.
        A stripped down Dell Dimension PC with extra network cards.

        Consider using one LAN segment, add a switch and to that switch you add a stand alone access point.
        This way, the pfSense is  just doing what's it does best and you could lock it away.

        Give it its own UPS and you will see up times that last for months …

        No "help me" PM's please. Use the forum, the community will thank you.
        Edit : and where are the logs ??

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        • stephenw10S
          stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
          last edited by

          Yes you can do that. However the range of wifi cards that will work with pfSense is limited. There is no support for 802.11n at all, though some 'n' cards will function at 'g' speeds. Many people choose to use a separate access point instead. If you choose to use a card your best bet is to get an older Atheros based card.

          See this spreadsheet for more detail: https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AojFUXcbH0ROdHgwYkFHbkRUdV9hVWljVWl5SXkxbFE&hl=en

          Steve

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          • johnpozJ
            johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
            last edited by

            Yeah you could go as Gertjan suggests and just connect a AP to your switch your connecting to one of the ports in your desktop hardware running pfsense.

            Or you could get fancier and add another nic to your box and run a new segment that you connect your AP(s) too or just connect to your pfsense nic.

            There are so many advantages to running a AP vs a wireless card you put in pfsense box.  For starters the supported hardware is very limited.  Another is that you could have multiple AP around the location.  Even if just one - pfsense can be in a corner somewhere your internet connection comes in.  While your AP could be centrally located for best coverage.  AP normally have better antennas than just some wireless card, etc.

            If need be you could just leverage whatever wireless router your using now as just an AP..  Just turn off its dhcp server, and connect it to your network via one of its LAN ports = shazam instant AP ;)

            You might want to look into some of these http://www.ubnt.com/unifi for your wireless network as your AP(s)

            An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
            If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
            Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
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            • G
              godlyatheist
              last edited by

              It seems like computer running pfsense + AP is the better way to go as you suggested. Currently I have a single wireless router hooked up to the DSL modem and it never seems to  be up more than a week. Plus, the router is right next to one of the employee and he's getting annoyed of setting right next to the router. I will give it a try then.

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              • M
                Mr. Jingles
                last edited by

                I'd second what Steve and John are saying (I have to, since I learned a lot from them  ;D). The link John posts I can recommend: it is exactly what I bought based on recommendations on this very fine forum, and my neighbors are wondering why the NASA headquarters (the name of my AP) is blowing away their wireless  ;D ;D ;D

                I have the 'Pro' version, by the way, since that is also 5Ghz. The normal one is only 2,4Ghz.

                6 and a half billion people know that they are stupid, agressive, lower life forms.

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                • G
                  godlyatheist
                  last edited by

                  Any other reliable AP maker besides ubiquiti you can recommend? All I would need is stability and QoS for the VoIP apps, no need other any fancy VPN or security stuff.

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                  • B
                    biggsy
                    last edited by

                    You might find that your wireless router is far more stable if it's not acting as a router but as an AP.

                    I had a couple of truly awful D-link DIR-685 wireless routers that someone gave me.  They got re-used as APs and are pretty solid in that role.

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                    • G
                      godlyatheist
                      last edited by

                      Ok I will repurpose my router as AP for now. I just need to acquire some NIC and then I can start with this.

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                      • G
                        godlyatheist
                        last edited by

                        Do I need 3 NIC total to set this up?

                        pfsense box - NIC 1 = WAN
                                              NIC 2 = switch
                                              NIC 3 = connect to wireless AP

                        It is possible to do this with 2 NIC?

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                        • B
                          biggsy
                          last edited by

                          @godlyatheist:

                          Do I need 3 NIC total to set this up?

                          pfsense box - NIC 1 = WAN
                                                NIC 2 = switch
                                                NIC 3 = connect to wireless AP

                          It is possible to do this with 2 NIC?

                          If you don't want your AP to be on the switch/LAN, yes, you will need three NICs.

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                          • G
                            godlyatheist
                            last edited by

                            Ok I have the AP connected to the switch right now, easier this way I think. BTW, is there a way to make the pfsense box automatically start? I have to press F1 everytime the computer boots up to start pfsense, else it just stays at the screen awaiting command.

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                            • stephenw10S
                              stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                              last edited by

                              Hmm, that shouldn't happen. Does it have more than one choice, F1 F2 etc?

                              Steve

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                              • G
                                godlyatheist
                                last edited by

                                It says something like:

                                F1 pfsense
                                F2 PXE

                                Boot:

                                I'd have to wait til the office is empty to reboot to get the exact wording on the screen. It would stay that way unless I did something, like press F1.

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                                • stephenw10S
                                  stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                  last edited by

                                  Hmm, not too sure what to suggest here. Normally the boot loader should timeout and automatically select F1. Quite why it isn't I don't know. Have you changed anything in the box since you installed, like perhaps added or enabled something that provided the PXE boot option?

                                  You could try this:
                                  https://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/Remove_F1_Boot_Prompt

                                  That carries some risk though. Make sure you know which disk you're using!

                                  Steve

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