Can I connect pfSense directly to adsl line (bypassing modem/router)

jamos · Nov 18, 2013, 8:20 AM

I have a feeling this is a rather silly question but I want to connect the RJ11 cable from the adsl line directly into a network card on the pfsense box. Does this work or am I an idiot ? :P

I want to use pfsense to handle the line connection, routing and firewall …

thanks in advance

fragged · Nov 18, 2013, 9:06 AM

You would need to buy a internal ADSL modem for your pfSense box. I would rather use an external one in bridged (non routing / NAT off) mode with pfSense.

jamos · Nov 18, 2013, 10:53 AM

thanks , that would explain why I cant get the line up on WAN ;D

phil.davis · Nov 18, 2013, 11:44 AM

You would need to buy a internal ADSL modem for your pfSense box.

Since you asked about connecting an RJ11 telephone cable directly, I assume that there is already an RJ11 socket somewhere on the hardware you plan to use for pfSense. In that case, if FreeBSD recognizes the device then it should be able to be used as the WAN.
Some people have commented in the past that they prefer to use a cheap separate ADSL front-end device because then when the phone line gets a "zap" it usually kills only the front-end device, which can be replaced cheaply (and usually quickly).

jamos · Nov 18, 2013, 1:20 PM

well RJ11 fits in RJ45 socket and has the same pin out I think , Pfsense saw the WAN link as up but i couldn't ping anything public. Maybe it is working and I havent configured DNS or NAT properly….hmmm

phil.davis · Nov 18, 2013, 5:27 PM

@jamos:

well RJ11 fits in RJ45 socket and has the same pin out I think , Pfsense saw the WAN link as up but i couldn't ping anything public. Maybe it is working and I havent configured DNS or NAT properly….hmmm

Pushing the RJ11 plug into an RJ45 socket definitely is not to be done - it definitely won't work. The electricals of the phone line ADSL signal modulation scheme is completely different from the Ethernet electrical signals. If you are unlucky and some pins actually connect it might even break some hardware.

jaspras · Nov 20, 2013, 5:36 AM

You have to setup your modem in BRIDGE MODE then configure you WAN NIC (card) to pppoe in pfsense..

GomezAddams · Nov 20, 2013, 6:37 PM

There is a possible gotcha when setting up your DSL modem as a bridge - you usually need to release your public IP address BEFORE configuring your modem to bridge mode.

Here's a good article on how to do what you are wanting to do: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=579876