Network Cards for my Pfsense Server

Fabzster

Hi

I keep getting a "Watchdog time out " ,"Prefetch unit stuck " , "no memory for Rx buffers " error where the pfsense server loses all Internet connectivity, perhaps when a lot of data goes through it. I then have to reboot the server to correct it.

I was reading up and many people recommend the Intel Cards, but after more research I see many people have issues with those cards as well.

Could anyone recommend specific intel cards for me?

I have access to the following (Which of the following are good?)

Intel expi9301CT Oem pack , pci-Express (1x) gigabit lan desktop adapter, 10/100/1000mbps , Intel 82574L chipset - includes extra low-profile only for 2U rackmount or slim desktop
Intel i210T1 Oem pack , pci-Express (1x) gigabit lan desktop adapter, 10/100/1000mbps , Intel i210 chipset , support IEEE 802.1Qav Audio-Video-Bridging (AVB ) - includes extra low-profile only for 2U rackmount or slim desktop
Intel i350T2 , pci-Express (4x) Dual-port gigabit lan server adapter , 10/100/1000mbps , Intel i350 chipset - support i/OAT, VMDq virtualization , SR-ioV, RSS, ALB , 5GT/sec - includes extra low-profile only for 2U rackmount or slim desktop
Intel i340-T4 ( E1G44HT ) , pci-Express (4x) Quad-port gigabit lan server adapter , 10/100/1000mbps , Intel 82580Gb chipset - support i/OAT, RSS, VMDq virtualization, DCA, ALB , 5GT/sec - includes extra low-profile only for 2U rackmount or slim desktop]

Harvy66

The i350 is their flagship 1Gb chipset. T2 is working great for me.

edit
@extide this is a home install 8)

extide

Those are fairly expensive, and if this is for a home installation, then any intel card, even a desktop one will be fine. Anything PCI-E is modern enough to be good for that.

Derelict

I'm not convinced the people having problems with the intel cards aren't user error or some weird edge case.

To my knowledge there is no documented problem.

The $43 Pro/1000 PT dual card on amazon looks like a sweet spot for PCI-E NICs for pfSense in all but the most demanding applications.

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-1000-Dual-Server-Adapter/dp/B000BMZHX2

You might be able to find something that consumes less power, but I expect it will come at the cost of some performance.

Or these HPs for only $29

http://www.amazon.com/HP-412648-B21-PCI-Express-GigaBit-Adapter/dp/B000J3OPOU

Fabzster

Hi

Many thanks for all the replies.

It is for a multi WAN gateway at my office< I currently have Dlink Cards in there and I read that is why I am receiving that error.

So basically what everyone is saying is that even if I go for one of the Dual or Quad port cards I will be ok?

Guest

Hi Fabzster,

I would prefer to go with a Intel based server network adapter to
be on the sure side to get maximum performance and support under
pfSense. If you go by a dual port or quad port Intel based server network
adapter is not really interesting, but be aware of the desktop one, they would
be running also fine and are also supported for sure too, but the server adapters
are using a DSP (digital signal processor) on the card that is taking much of the load
and tasks from the main cpu and so far you get a real good network adapter.
For home usage, my suggestion is;

Intel desktop adapters
Soekris LAN1841 Quad NIC
and for productive networks;
Intel server NICs
HotLava NICs (Intel based)

Related to your question I´ll go with the
Intel i350T2 , pci-Express (4x) Dual-port gigabit lan server adapter , 10/100/1000mbps , Intel i350 chipset