Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: How long to learn OPNSense adequately for secure enthusiast home setup?

« on: June 14, 2021, 12:31:42 pm »

Hi and thanks Bart.
I'm also a "veteran" - now retired several years with 40+ in IT, mostly analysis, design, a lot of database work (Oracle, etc), ETL, systems architecture, business analysis and process design. Some coding - Fortran IV, C, PL/SQL, etc. Data warehousing, automated warehouse systems, finance, general business processes, etc... All UK based.

Unfortunately TP-Link is a Chinese company, like Huawei. That's a security risk I won't take and a regime I won't support if I can avoid it. Regretable because TP-Link's approach looks interesting.

Looks like I'll be trying the Ubiquiti kit with a UDM-Pro etc. and go from there. Might then learn some networking skills in slower time as needs arise.

Best wishes,    Ian

2

General Discussion / Re: How long to learn OPNSense adequately for secure enthusiast home setup?

« on: June 13, 2021, 09:20:26 pm »

Hi Bart, and thank you for your helpful reply.
Did you start your "month's learning" from a no/little networking knowledge base or is that a month to tune in to OPNSense from a networking background?

What's your opinion of the Ubiquiti kit? Some seem to have issues with it's reliability and lack of support and missing features.

I think I like the concept of a SDN approach - but lack the networking knowledge/experience to know whether it's a good approach or not. Conceptually it sounds an improvement maybe.

If the Ubiquiti UDM-Pro kit/software is not too limiting, then the idea of reducing learning, implementation and maintenance load appeals.

Any recommended reading/books (additional to the 2 links you gave)?

Regards, Ian BJ

3

General Discussion / How long to learn OPNSense adequately for secure enthusiast home setup?

« on: June 13, 2021, 03:26:54 pm »

Hi folks.
I've a lot of IT experience but very little Networking knowledge. I want to replace my basic home LAN with new kit and a good, pretty secure network. I'll have about 20 Cat 6 wired ports + WiFi. I would like to introduce good security, network level VPN, VLANs (for less secure devices, etc.) and VOIP capability. I have a NAS and may add security cams and will be streaming AV. Time and ease of management are important to me.

I am considering either going with
a) Ubiquiti UDM-Pro + their 24 port PoE switch + AP(s) + a new modem (Draytek Vigor 166?) [for UK - BT/Openreach FTTC broadband] ; Or
b) OPNSense + hardware (modem, router and switch, APs ). But I realise that'll mean quite a lot of learning and time to configure and manage, so...

Can you please give me ballpark ideas for:

1. How long would it take me to get a fair understanding of the Networking principles etc. and skills etc., and then to set up an OPNSense network for the above scenario?  [ How long's a piece of string? Well - yes, but some idea would be useful. ]

2. Are there any Networking books etc. that you'd advise reading first, additional to the OPNSense documentation (and Forum + web articles)?  [I like to understand what I'm doing and why, rather than just follow formulae/directions.]

Many thanks,    Ian