Pfsense custom build help $450 budget from ($200)
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I am going to be 100% honest from the start, I am just getting into networking. I am currently taking a few college classes. I have basic knowledge on networking.
My budget is around $200 hopefully thats more then what I would need.
I also don't want to buy an old computer, I would like it to look nice….
My network would be as followed:
1. 5 users on the network.
2. Media streaming.
3. Web Site hosting.
4. OpenVPN
5.Firewall "not sure now what one yet"
6. Other quality programs "list -
Get a dual core celeron machine.
Or , slightly less nice, get dual core atom. -
Would that box be over kill for my small network or would it be fine? I am looking to vpn, packet sniff/inject.
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I doubt seriously you want anything smaller than I just mentioned.
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What would be medium level pfsense box? if that is basically a min. How much would cost be? Ideally what would you build or do you have any threads that you started that I could read?
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If you are smart and buy used boxes on bay it will be within your $200
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If you want something small and cheap that doesn't look too bad:
http://ark.intel.com/products/58917/Intel-Atom-Processor-N2800-1M-Cache-1_86-GHz
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pfsense-2-2-HP-t5740-Intel-Atom-N280-2G-RAM-2G-Flash-SSD-3gig-NICs-Wireless-/251815636232
I would throw in a cheap SSD for a full install and call it done.
For $300+ you can get something abit "nicer" I guess.
Anyway - Its up to you.
Its actually pretty nice for $100… Assuming it fires up and all is working well. I think it would be fine.
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$200 = used tech.
I would spend a bit more and go gigbyte celeron j1900, 4-8gb ram, itx case with psu, a hd or small ssd
or athlon 5350, asus am1 mobo @ itx , 4-8gb ram, itx case, dual intel pcie nic off ebay, small hd or ssd (this system has aes-ni)
this is the pcie-card -> http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Intel-Pro-Dell-X3959-Dual-Port-Gigabit-Ethernet-NIC-Card-PCI-E-D33682-card-/171665728765?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27f81324fd
should be supported. double check please.
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I really don't mind use tech if its solid tech. Just me?
I have never been burned. I just look for reliable mobo and solid caps… etc etc.$100? Its not so big a gamble.
Of course Web Site hosting needs another box.
I assume you don't want to host on the pfsense box directly. -
I am more interested in buying the hardware and building it myself. More of a sentimental value. I also plan on using http://www.amazon.com/TL-ANT2424B-Directional-Parabolic-connector-resistant/dp/B003CFATOW/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1423019637&sr=8-5&keywords=tplink+antenna any thoughts on that?
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After a lot of reading and talking to "Kejianshi" he/she has helped me narrow down to an Supermicro Atom C2758. My only questions is what is the difference from "Supermicro Atom F2758" VS "Supermicro Atom C2758"
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FM4M7TQ/ref=s9_simh_gw_p147_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=0JMQYZYFD0V62GEB6E1B&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=1970559082&pf_rd_i=desktop
VS
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GO9E61K/ref=psdc_1048424_t2_B00FM4M7TQ
The only thing I noticed is that the Supermicro Atom C2758 has a form factor: Mini-ITX while the Atom F2758 has a form factor: MicroATX
I decided to up my budge from $200 to around $450 in hoping to build a quality piece of hardware for my basic needs. AKA just learning more networking
Any feedback would be great.
Also thanks again "kejianshi" you have really helped me a lot.
Also I am using Amazon because I have found the price to be about the same as newegg other then a mark up of $4 on amazon. But I have Amazon Prime and thats 2 day shipping.
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You haven't mentioned what bandwidth you hope to get through the firewall which is absolutely crucial in any hardware decision.
Steve
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I really don't know the difference in those two and I wonder if the FC is just referencing FC-BGA 1283 socket?
Maybe someone else knows better.
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stephenw10, for the record, I agree. Knowing the bandwidth needs is important. I recommended that board because he asked me "If you were going to spend $400 +/- , which board would you pick?"
Easy - The 8 core atom. It can run pfsense in a couple of cores plus other things you might want to add also.
However, I still think you can get away with spending $150ish if all you need is pfsense on a 100/100 plan or lower typical home connection.
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You haven't mentioned what bandwidth you hope to get through the firewall which is absolutely crucial in any hardware decision.
Steve
I currently have around 100mb with my current provider. I use OpenVPN and my bandwidth takes a huge hit currently. I didn't state what speed I need because I am using this for educationally purpose. I also noticed that the Micro Atx has extra pci slots.
I plan on using 4g ecc ram. I feel that this setup is going to fit more then what I actually need. I just can't see a real difference between the two motherboards.
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I've got a couple of these http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apex-Mini-ITX-AL-8250SFX-Intel-D410PT-Atom-2GB-DDR2-160GB-DVD-RW-Complete-PC-/281582664738?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item418fa27c22 that I yanked the dvd drive from and added a dual broadcom Gig NIC card to (three NIC's total). I don't need all of them. If you want one, I'd send it to you for $65 plus whatever the actual shipping cost is.
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It's hard to recommend anything other than the Rangely Atoms right now since so many of the reference platforms are going that way. If you can afford it.
If you need to push 100Mbps of VPN traffic that immediately rules out some things, both the previously linked older Atom boards for example.Steve
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Thanks "stephenw10" if you had to pick between the two boards what one would you pick? Between the two its about a $30 price difference. How much bandwidth do you think the Atom C2758 or Atom F2758 can handle?
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I've got a couple of these http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apex-Mini-ITX-AL-8250SFX-Intel-D410PT-Atom-2GB-DDR2-160GB-DVD-RW-Complete-PC-/281582664738?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item418fa27c22 that I yanked the dvd drive from and added a dual broadcom Gig NIC card to (three NIC's total). I don't need all of them. If you want one, I'd send it to you for $65 plus whatever the actual shipping cost is.
Honestly that looks great and the offer is appreciated, I am looking to build something myself. I am a young college student that just got out of high school. This system that I am building would be for educational purpose. I don't need top end sever hardware, just something that is not low end and won't really do anything for me.
If any questions arise please ask. Or any feedback would be great.
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if you had to pick between the two boards what one would you pick? Between the two its about a $30 price difference. How much bandwidth do you think the Atom C2758 or Atom F2758 can handle?
There's not much in it. I guess if you have a space requirement go for the mini-ITX.
It can handle a lot of bandwidth. >1Gb/s of firewall/NAT. >1Gbps of VPN once Quick Assist is enabled by all accounts. These Atom CPUs are nothing like Atoms of old.
Steve
