Looking for a recommendation on a mini-PCIe WiFi adapter

tehnovore

I'm trying to find a mini-PCIe adapter that supports AP mode AND is dual-band 802.11ac to use in a mini-itx pc for pfSense. I have a 100Mbps connection at my apartment and I know that 802.11n effectively tops out at 50-55Mbps. I have been searching online for one but the documentation on whether or not they support master mode (AP mode) AND will work with Linux is almost non-existent. I know there are some USB .11ac adapters that will do it but I was hoping to not have to dedicate a USB port for it.

I was looking at one of these http://www.hystou.com/products/mini-pc-thin-client/mini-desktop-computer/barebone-fanless-mini-computer-desktop-pc-intel-celeron-1037u-htpc-alloy-case-with-usb30-1084.html Unless someone here in the forums has a better recommendation on mini-itx pc with decent specs, 802.11ac, dual gigabit ethernet, HDMI, USB 3.0, at least 2GB RAM and a 24GB SSD for under $300? I'm really getting tired of the crappy off-the-shelf routers that keep dying after 1-2 years of extremely high usage so I want to replace mine with a pfSense box, not to mention all of the awesome features that it comes with. ;D

Thanks for the help

I'm trying to find a mini-PCIe adapter that supports AP mode AND is dual-band 802.11ac

There are many WiFi adapter that comes with AP and master mode for sure, but as I am right informed
the 802.11ac standard is not supported by pfSense at this time actual.

on whether or not they support master mode (AP mode) AND will work with Linux is almost non-existent.

In Linux you would be perhaps having some luck, but pfSense 2.2.x is based on FreeBSD 10.1
and there fore you might be not the lucky guy.

I know there are some USB .11ac adapters that will do it but I was hoping to not have to dedicate a USB port for it.

Hmm, as I am knowing the USB 2.0 Ports are all able to delivers something around 480 MBit/s in theoretical
and often mostly maxing out at ~280 MBit/s, but the 802.11ac standard is able to deliver up to 3,2 GBit/s
in theoretical and at the moment more in the direction of 1300 MBit/s, both is to high for USB 2.0.

If you own a USB 3.0 port, it would be perhaps running then related to the maximum throughput of
USB 3.0 at ~2,4 GBIt/s and theoretical it can do 5 GBit/s.

Supermicro A1SRM-LN7F-2358also not really at 300 € more in the direction to 400 €.

Or the brand new SG2-2200 from the pfSense shop.
or
Intel G3260 dual core 3,0GHz ~80 €
miniITX Mainboard with dual Intel 210AT or Intel 217 GB LAN Ports ~100 €
miniOTX case & PSU ~100 €
4 GB RAM ~ 50 €
mSATA ~60 €

1-2 years of extremely high usage so I want to replace mine with a pfSense box, not to mention all of the awesome features that it comes with.

But fore sure if you get a very fast Internet link from your ISP, you will be also needing a really fast
hardware to turn on all things and features.