Hardware for PfSense

[mxnerd]

ESXi 6.0 update 2 has added Embedded Host Client feature, so you can manage VMs on the same machine now.

https://labs.vmware.com/flings/esxi-embedded-host-client

 

[sdifox]

Finally!

 

[mxnerd]

Finally!

Sorry, I was wrong about this. It just means we don't have to install client software to remotely manage the host, but still have to use a HTML5 browser from a remote PC to manage it.

 

[sdifox]

Sorry, I was wrong about this. It just means we don't have to install client software to remotely manage the host, but still have to use a HTML5 browser from a remote PC to manage it.

<luke skywalker>nooooooo!

 

[Skunk-Works]

Just get this or an ITX computer with at least 4GB of RAM and dual NICs. https://netgate.com/products/sg-1000.html

 

[sdifox]

Just get this or an ITX computer with at least 4GB of RAM and dual NICs. https://netgate.com/products/sg-1000.html

He already has enough hardware to run pfsense.

 

[Burner27]

I think I am going to virtualize the Plex box on hyperV and turn the 6700K into a pfSense box. I know it's overkill, but I dont have to spend any money on equipment. Is HyperV more/less/equally stable as ESX as a hypervisor?

 

[sdifox]

I think I am going to virtualize the Plex box on hyperV and turn the 6700K into a pfSense box. I know it's overkill, but I dont have to spend any money on equipment. Is HyperV more/less/equally stable as ESX as a hypervisor?

why not just have pfsense and plex in the same box, both virtualised?

For home use, I would not go with ESXi and assuming licence is not an issue. Hyper-V is just so much more convenient and hardware tolerant.

 

[Genx87]

http://www.firewallhardware.it/en/pfsense_selection_and_sizing.html


According to this website, i would be underpowered.

I run 50-75 person sites with a Sophos SG 135. That has a quad core Atom in it. 100Mbps up\down connection.

 

[mxnerd]

ESXi has a free license, you just have to register it. Of course you don't get advanced features like vCenter, etc. But free ESXi by its own is already very powerful for a lot of people.

Using 6700k just for pfSense is absolutely overkill. But you can always convert it to ESXi box later and have several VMs. Then you have Hyper-V and ESXi to play with.

 

[NesuD]

I am looking at the below hardware for a PfSense router, but am wondering if it is under powered? I have Spectrum's top tier service (300 down/ 20 up); will be using Squid and other website filtering techniques available on PfSense. Will possibly be doing VPN down the road.

http://ipc.msi.com/product/pages/ipc/MS-9A65.html

If you think it is under powered, what specs do you recommend? Not opposed to building something either.

Thank you in advance.

I don't think that is under powered at all. I have been running Pfsense for 2 years on a celeron 1037u processor and it has been fast and flawless on a 100 Mbit service. The processor comparison on cpu boss doesn't indicate a significant performance difference between the 2 processors. I think it would work fine but there are better purpose built units out there that utilize the j1900 baytrail cou and have wifi that works with pfsense google j1900 pfsense and you should find them.

 

[sdifox]

ESXi has a free license, you just have to register it. Of course you don't get advanced features like vCenter, etc. But free ESXi by its own is already very powerful for a lot of people.

Using 6700k just for pfSense is absolutely overkill. But you can always convert it to ESXi box later and have several VMs. Then you have Hyper-V and ESXi to play with.

I wad referring to server 2016 licence, should have made it clear, sorry.