pfSense hardware

[Rilo Ravestein]

If you have no plans to run a VPN then there really isn't much of a need for it.

Another good option to consider (and will likely be my next build) is the Supermicro X10 SBA-L if it's available in your area. Intel J1900 4 cores, 8GB max memory, 2 Intel NIC's and can be had around here for $136. A complete build with SSD should only draw around 12 to 15 watts or so.

Nice one indeed!
But from what I've heard so far, if you plan to make (heavy) use of VPN I you might want to step up a bit (and/or choose one with AES.)

 

[diedrichg]

My first choice would be any of the 2x58 Avaton boards. Which one depends on your bandwidth needs.

Thank you. Yes, the 2558 or 2758 were the ones I was looking at, I was hoping those would be validated as appropriate.

 

[Jailer]

Nice one indeed!
But from what I've heard so far, if you plan to make (heavy) use of VPN I you might want to step up a bit (and/or choose one with AES.)

That is correct.

I have no plans to use a VPN (my connections sux) so no need for AES-NI for me.

Thank you. Yes, the 2558 or 2758 were the ones I was looking at, I was hoping those would be validated as appropriate.

The soon to be released SG-2220 from the pfsense store would be a good option as long as you don't need more than 2 NIC's. Nice unit for the price.

 

[Rilo Ravestein]

so you can go for the C2758 @DataKeeper is using (~ €400) or the C2558 (~ €300)...

Sorry to bump this thread, but i'm just now going to select and order the parts for my build.

How did you get those numbers? The mobo alone of @DataKeeper his build is almost 400.

 

[MtK]

Sorry to bump this thread, but i'm just now going to select and order the parts for my build.

How did you get those numbers? The mobo alone of @DataKeeper his build is almost 400.

that's exactly what I pointed out:

• C2758 = ~ €400
• C2558 = ~ €300

(those are MBs)

 

[jgreco]

(those are MBs)

"... those are megabytes?"

 

[MtK]

"... those are megabytes?"

those are MotherBoards (C2758 & C2558) , well, actually CPUs :D

 

[jgreco]

I know, just a friendly reminder not to use confusing abbreviations. There will be a whole bunch of people who do not work in the business who look at that and need to puzzle it out.

 

[anodos]

I know, just a friendly reminder not to use confusing abbreviations. There will be a whole bunch of people who do not work in the business who look at that and need to puzzle it out.

I thought that MB was the abbreviation for "megabastards". All the sudden things are starting to make more sense.

 

[MtK]

I know, just a friendly reminder not to use confusing abbreviations. There will be a whole bunch of people who do not work in the business who look at that and need to puzzle it out.

I hope, for the sake of "people who do not work in the business", they don't try to buy a C2758, though I hope they do try to build a FreeNAS server... but you're right!

 

[Rilo Ravestein]

(those are MBs)

Owwwwwww.... I thought you meant the whole system. THAT would be nice!

 

[MtK]

Owwwwwww.... I thought you meant the whole system. THAT would be nice!

I was hoping for some Black Friday / Crazy Monday discounts, but I guess NL is not into that...

 

[Rilo Ravestein]

Any ideas on chassis and power supply?

Going the supermicro route would cost me:
1U chassis with 200W power supply: https://www.supermicro.com/products/chassis/1u/505/sc505-203.cfm 125 euro
or:
Small chassis: https://www.supermicro.com/products/chassis/Mini-ITX/101/SC101i.cfm = 65 euro
plus MCP-250-10101-0N 60W DC-ATX PWR Board = 50 euro
or plus MCP-250-10103-0N 80W DC-ATX PWR Board = 70 euro

Sounds overpriced to me actually for something that will sit alone in the dark.

EDIT: It's for this board btw. Supermicro A1SRi-2558F

 

[MtK]

@Rilo Ravestein, If you have the rackmount, I would go for the 1st option, though I'm not sure 200W is a smart/cheap idea here...

 

[Jailer]

M350 case is an option if you don't need rack mount. Also the Supermicro 2xxx series mITX boards are 12V compatible. An external power brick and 12v adapter cable could be used for power.

This build thread over at the pfsense forums may be of some interest to you.

 

[Rilo Ravestein]

M350 case is an option if you don't need rack mount. Also the Supermicro 2xxx series mITX boards are 12V compatible. An external power brick and 12v adapter cable could be used for power.
This build thread over at the pfsense forums may be of some interest to you.

Thanks for the link, i hadn't found that one yet!
Since i don't need a HDD or anything else, i could just use some external power brick indeed. My problem with these random external power bricks is that there are a LOT of crappy ones. And they vary a LOT in price range. I'll have to look into that.

 

[MtK]

Thanks for the link, i hadn't found that one yet!
Since i don't need a HDD or anything else, i could just use some external power brick indeed. My problem with these random external power bricks is that there are a LOT of crappy ones. And they vary a LOT in price range. I'll have to look into that.

and you also need to find that M350... ;)

 

[Rilo Ravestein]

and you also need to find that M350... ;)

http://www.picco.nl/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/72/products_id/3829
http://www.myelectronics.nl/contents/nl/p1763.html
https://www.alzashop.com/mini-box-com-m350-d349218.htm?o=1
Or else ebay or amazon?

 

[MtK]

http://www.picco.nl/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/72/products_id/3829
http://www.myelectronics.nl/contents/nl/p1763.html
https://www.alzashop.com/mini-box-com-m350-d349218.htm?o=1
Or else ebay or amazon?

yes, but you still need to add the power supply, and you are almost at the same price level you wrote above.

 

[Rilo Ravestein]

yes, but you still need to add the power supply, and you are almost at the same price level you wrote above.

Well, yes, the M350 case is only 15 euro cheaper. I'm still hoping to find a cheap (while good) external power brick + 12v adapter cable.