OPNsense Forum

Archive => 23.7 Legacy Series => Topic started by: blight on January 12, 2024, 12:48:32 PM

Title: Switching from IPFire to Opnsense - USB ethernet adapters
Post by: blight on January 12, 2024, 12:48:32 PM
Hi everyone

I have a minipc that I am unable to add additional Ethernet adapters to. I have 2 UGreen USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet Adapters that work fine on IPFire. I would like to switch to OpnSense.

I tried the install and everything worked and the cards are picked up fine and available to assign. However as soon as any traffic is sent through them, the either stop working completely or intermittently work. The onboard realtek card isnt a problem.
The UGreen USB to ethernet have a Realtek RTL8152 chipset which through my reading should work with FreeBSD.

Is there anything I can do to get these to work with OpnSense? Is there perhaps custom drivers or something that needs to be loaded?
Would really appreciate the feedback

Regards
Brendon
Title: Re: Switching from IPFire to Opnsense - USB ethernet adapters
Post by: Patrick M. Hausen on January 12, 2024, 02:01:14 PM
USB Ethernet is a bad idea for OPNsense.
Realtek is a bad idea for OPNsense.

So in short: no, stick to a Linux based system like IPfire or OpenWRT.
Title: Re: Switching from IPFire to Opnsense - USB ethernet adapters
Post by: blight on January 12, 2024, 02:16:23 PM
Apologies - I made a mistake - the devices are using the AX88179 which is on the HCL for FreeBSD.
Surely there must be more to it then?
Title: Re: Switching from IPFire to Opnsense - USB ethernet adapters
Post by: va176thunderbolt on January 14, 2024, 08:55:49 PM
Realtek has a checkered past with their FreeBSD drivers. Personally, I've had several OPNSense builds using the RTL8111 adapters, and have had decent luck with them. Had a dual port card in a box my son took to college, and it help up without issue to 4 college boys gaming on the internet.

I have not tried a USB to Ethernet adapter with OPNSense. My advice is to give it a try - it may work well enough for your needs.

Adam