How does M.2 WIFI work?

[simenragge]

I was looking at the Gigabyte GA-N3150N-D3V for an upcomming Pfsense build, seeing it has dual GbE Nics, and fits in the case im gonna use. I was looking at ways to get wifi working natively with my pfsense box, and expansion cards arent gonna work in the case im using. So how do i go about using the m.2 wifi slot on my board for it? Would it even be viable for a home network?

I was specifically looking at the Intel wireless chips, but im not sure which one would fit or what would be considered "good enough" for a home wireless network. As far as i can see, i need 2 antennas with a 1.13 cable to go along with it, but i dont know what dBi i should get. I was looking at these 3dBi ones on Ebay, do you reckon that would do the job, or do i need anything beefier?

 

[Barty1884]

M.2 is just a form-factor. It's still operating over PCIe.

M.2 slots typically orientate the expansion card horizontally, opposed to the traditional vertical of PCI/PCIe addon cards.
BUT, that motherboard specifically, orientates the M.2 vertically - you'll see the slot between the CPU socket and the rear I/O.

You're going to be operating with similar clearance for an M.2 wifi card, as you are with a CPU cooler (40mm).

The info is minimal/non-existent about the actual compatibility though.... I would assume it's an M.2 22x30... making it 30mm in "height" (in that orientation), and is a pretty standard form factor for those Intel chips you linked.

The actual antennas, should ship in the retail packaging for the chip.... I believe.
You would need to find some way to route the cabling out of the case though.... typically that's achieved via pre-existing holes in the I/O shield, but not sure if that motherboard has them.

"good enough" for home networking, is subjective. Depends on the infrastructure you have in place already

Given the headaches with compatibility, routing cables etc... I'd be much more inclined to look to a solid USB-based solution, just not a cheap generic offering though.

Given the pricing of the Intel chips + cabling you're considering, something like this would be a much easier (and very good) solution. I've used this one personally, without issues.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Wireless Network Adapter: Asus - USB-AC55 USB 3.0 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi Adapter ($49.00 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $49.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-04-03 10:57 EDT-0400

This one would appear to be a solid offering too,, for cheaper..... I've just no personal experience with it.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Wireless Network Adapter: Netgear - A6200-100NAS USB 2.0 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi Adapter ($19.95 @ Amazon)
Total: $19.95
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-04-03 10:58 EDT-0400

Notice they both include cable extensions & cradles.... allowing you to place the actual receiver in better positions.
Cheap offerings exist, but they sit near flush with the USB port. Depending on the intended use location of the system, may make it difficult to obtain any form of decent signal.

 

[simenragge]

M.2 is just a form-factor. It's still operating over PCIe.

M.2 slots typically orientate the expansion card horizontally, opposed to the traditional vertical of PCI/PCIe addon cards.
BUT, that motherboard specifically, orientates the M.2 vertically - you'll see the slot between the CPU socket and the rear I/O.

You're going to be operating with similar clearance for an M.2 wifi card, as you are with a CPU cooler (40mm).

The info is minimal/non-existent about the actual compatibility though.... I would assume it's an M.2 22x30... making it 30mm in "height" (in that orientation), and is a pretty standard form factor for those Intel chips you linked.

The actual antennas, should ship in the retail packaging for the chip.... I believe.
You would need to find some way to route the cabling out of the case though.... typically that's achieved via pre-existing holes in the I/O shield, but not sure if that motherboard has them.

"good enough" for home networking, is subjective. Depends on the infrastructure you have in place already

Given the headaches with compatibility, routing cables etc... I'd be much more inclined to look to a solid USB-based solution, just not a cheap generic offering though.

Given the pricing of the Intel chips + cabling you're considering, something like this would be a much easier (and very good) solution. I've used this one personally, without issues.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Wireless Network Adapter: Asus - USB-AC55 USB 3.0 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi Adapter ($49.00 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $49.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-04-03 10:57 EDT-0400

This one would appear to be a solid offering too,, for cheaper..... I've just no personal experience with it.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Wireless Network Adapter: Netgear - A6200-100NAS USB 2.0 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi Adapter ($19.95 @ Amazon)
Total: $19.95
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-04-03 10:58 EDT-0400

Notice they both include cable extensions & cradles.... allowing you to place the actual receiver in better positions.
Cheap offerings exist, but they sit near flush with the USB port. Depending on the intended use location of the system, may make it difficult to obtain any form of decent signal.

I would probably just drill 2 holes for the antennas, but i totally get you point. I'm probably gonna go with using a usb adapter for now, and maybe upgrading to hard wired acces points later on.

Appreciate the detailed answer!

 

[Barty1884]

Yeah, theoretically, an M.2 option will work just fine - again, just need the holes for the antenna.
In actual practice, the functionality/stability benefits would be negligible (or worse, depending on the adapter), for what I can only assume would work out to be more money.