[SOLVED] Buy or build a PFsense router?

[frejoh46]

So I need to buy a new router and was thinking of getting a PFsense or OPNsense router for more control and monitoring of the network. I have hardware from my old build. 3570k, 16GB RAM, and for $300 I can buy chassis, network card / wifi, SSD, CPU cooler.

Or I can buy this for $300 but would need a GB switch ($30) and AP ($200)
CPU: Intel J3060 Double Core 2.24Ghz
Memory: 4 GB DDR3L 1333/1600Mhz (max 8G)
NICs: 2 Intel i210-AT 1Gbps
Storage: 1x mSATA - 16GB SSD installed
Graphics: Intel HD Graphic card
Power consumption: 7W (idle) - 10W(max)

But I rather not have additional hardware. So $530 and $40 for a wle200nx I can get,
CPU: Intel Core i5-4200U Dual Core, 4 threads, Up To 2.6GHz
Memory: 8GB (1333/1600MHz)
NICs: 4 x Intel I211-AT Gigabit NIC
Storage: 60GB mSata
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4400
Power consumption: ~15W
It has an SATA port so I could add an normal SSD.

It need to handle at least 100/100 network. I heard you shouldn't use WiFi but it only need to handle 1-2 devices, so might be fine. Also concerned about power usage, hence I'm not sure about using my old system as it needs to be online 24/7

Anyone have any opinions?

 

[jeremyj_83]

So I need to buy a new router and was thinking of getting a PFsense or OPNsense router for more control and monitoring of the network. I have hardware from my old build. 3570k, 16GB RAM, and for $300 I can buy chassis, network card / wifi, SSD, CPU cooler.

Or I can buy this for $300 but would need a GB switch ($30) and AP ($200)
CPU: Intel J3060 Double Core 2.24Ghz
Memory: 4 GB DDR3L 1333/1600Mhz (max 8G)
NICs: 2 Intel i210-AT 1Gbps
Storage: 1x mSATA - 16GB SSD installed
Graphics: Intel HD Graphic card
Power consumption: 7W (idle) - 10W(max)

But I rather not have additional hardware. So $530 and $40 for a wle200nx I can get,
CPU: Intel Core i5-4200U Dual Core, 4 threads, Up To 2.6GHz
Memory: 8GB (1333/1600MHz)
NICs: 4 x Intel I211-AT Gigabit NIC
Storage: 60GB mSata
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4400
Power consumption: ~15W
It has an SATA port so I could add an normal SSD.

It need to handle at least 100/100 network. I heard you shouldn't use WiFi but it only need to handle 1-2 devices, so might be fine. Also concerned about power usage, hence I'm not sure about using my old system as it needs to be online 24/7

Anyone have any opinions?

You can do something like this.
https://www.supermicro.com/en/products/system/1U/5018/SYS-5018A-MLTN4.cfm
You would only need to add RAM and storage, but since you have 16GB sitting around that would work just fine. The CPU is a quad core Atom so it is low power and for a router with only a few devices that is fine. Then you install Pfsense on it and go from there.

 

[frejoh46]

I was thinking more for private use, and not something in a server rack.

I also found,
ZOTAC-ZBOX-C-Series-CI329-nano with a Celeron N4100 for $385 with 8GB ram and 120GB SSD, but uses 50w, about half of the 90w if I use my old system, and smaller with no fans.

 

[jeremyj_83]

I was thinking more for private use, and not something in a server rack.

I also found,
ZOTAC-ZBOX-C-Series-CI329-nano with a Celeron N4100 for $385 with 8GB ram and 120GB SSD, but uses 50w, about half of the 90w if I use my old system, and smaller with no fans.

Could also look at the SuperMicro 5029A-2TN4 https://www.supermicro.com/en/products/system/midtower/5029/SYS-5029A-2TN4.cfm or the SuperMicro 5029AP-TN2 https://www.supermicro.com/en/products/system/midtower/5029/SYS-5029AP-TN2.cfm Those are mini towers that would have enough power for Pfsense as well has having multi 1GbE ports.