Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: First time OPNsense user. Need help deciding on hardware configuration.

« on: July 06, 2024, 03:25:44 am »

If you haven't bought a card yet, you might look at genuine Intel i226 cards, I think there is a second revision that you might want to look into. That said, HP included a single port i225 card in all of the Z2 computers I just put into service, since I don't have any multigig switches, I just kind of ignored them for now but thought it was odd to ship i225 cards when i226 was the current version. These have i7-14xxx processors and made couple months ago, so not old stock.

The only thing I don't like about the Prodesk is the lack of PCIe slots, at least in the g6 that I have (with 10th gen processors). Oddly enough, the Z2 also have a lack of PCIe compared to the Z240 that they replaced, they are basically a Prodesk on steroids. Not sure why they cost so much more. If the choice is present, for the same money I would choose an EliteDesk 800 over the Prodesk, assuming they still have a decent number of PCIe like our old gen1 did. Those gen 1 Elitedesk 800 ran for around 7 years until they were just too slow for the application we needed to run. Good little computers, only had a single power supply fail in those years and they were on 24/7. The gen 2 not so good, lots of fan and PS issues, the gen3 have been decent so far. Also I had to swap them as we knew that Win11 was approaching and things needed to be newer and compatible.

I was looking at getting a i225 or i226 card at first but finding a genuine intel one seems to be next to impossible. I may look to getting on in the future still if needed.

2

General Discussion / Re: First time OPNsense user. Need help deciding on hardware configuration.

« on: July 05, 2024, 07:18:26 pm »

Hi all. So I've been slowly gathering things to build my new OPNsense router to replace my TPlink Archer C5400x that tends to drop speed. Im still learning as I go through things. Im planning on using the TPlink router as a dedicated Access Point still. I currently have an HP Prodesk 600 G5 with an i5-9500, a intel 550x-T2 Nic, and an intel I350-T4 Nic. I also have Gigabit internet speed. My question is regarding pros and cons of how I set things up. My 3 options are...

1) using the I350-T4, 1st port = modem in, 2nd port = dedicated for switch box between 2-3 PC's and a home server, 3rd port = TPlink Access Point (not sure if the Ethernet ports are still functional in Access point mode).

2) using the I550-T2, 1st port = modem in, 2nd port = ethernet switch box, and then the Access point connected to the Switch box.

3) Using the Motherboard NIC for ethernet in, I550-t2 1st port = switch box, 2nd port = Access point. (it is my understanding this would not be the preferred setup due to instability in the motherboard NIC)

Could someone help me to understand better the pros and cons of these setups and which would be the recommended way and why?

Hello. Is your ISP sending you fiber? Is your Archer plugged into an NBase-T port? If your isp's all-in-one has a 2500mbps or 5000mbps port, plugging multiple things into it can lower speeds due to downshifting.

https://archive.nbaset.ethernetalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/NBASET-Downshift-WP-1217.pdf

It is quite annoying sometimes, especially if you have laggs set up. Imo isp's should never mix nbase-t and non-nbase-t handoffs. And mine goes as far to subnet the wifi, nbase-t and gigabit all together.

If you are using an nbase-t port consider putting an unmanaged switch between the isp router and pfSense. I like Yuanley's 2.5gbps switch as a cheap option.

Nbase-t is also sensitive to bit errors and alien crosstalk. Meaning things have to be grounded and cables separated (for connoisseurs)

https://youtu.be/-FvYVBjrJx4?si=epToB3iI0kzsY2hv

https://archive.nbaset.ethernetalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/NBT_CablingWhitePaper_082916.pdf


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My ISP is spectrum there Gigbit speed is not fiber as far as I’m aware. I am also using there dedicated modem, not there modem/router combo. I’m honestly not sure on the Nbase-T. I tried looking over your posted link about these terminals and speed drops but I’m not sure I understand 100%. As of right now the modem has a single 2.5gb port that runs to the archer router and everything connects to that. I was planning on the new setup being the modem - opnsense (i350-t4) - multigig managed switch - wireless access point/ethernet device.
I am aware of the cable shielding and needing to be properly grounded and was planning on addressing all that in the near future when I run cat6a riser cables.

3

General Discussion / Re: First time OPNsense user. Need help deciding on hardware configuration.

« on: July 05, 2024, 06:58:42 pm »

Don't forget N200. That said, there are some funny updates that need to be done to some of the N100 systems, there are several threads on the forum about this.

But that Prodesk will be a pretty low power draw machine, I have a classroom with 20 of the gen6 version and they are really quiet and low heat, even when chugging along with video editing. It's probably a lot more processor than most of us need, but I bet the price was right.

Personally I wouldn't bother with the 550 card, save the power until you really need it, unless you have 10gbps switching between two different LAN and then of course it would be nice to have. But even DAC cables get hot from the card doing work.

I’ve heard good things about the prodesk and your righ for $80 referbished with ssd it was a decent deal. I think I’ve decided on the i350 card. I do have a few devices that can communicate to each other at 10gbps but there going to be going through a 10gbps switch after the i350 so there shouldn’t be an issue.

4

General Discussion / Re: First time OPNsense user. Need help deciding on hardware configuration.

« on: July 02, 2024, 02:32:05 pm »

Thats what I've kinda been reading on the built in NIC's. And yea I originally had planned on putting both cards in but later realized it wouldnt work out as nicely. Thats why I've got a dedicated switch on the way.

If were only using 2 ports on the PCIE NIC is there a reason you would go for the T4 1Gb card over the T2 10Gb card? I understand the 550-t2 is overkill on the 1Gb network speed but wasn't sure if with the extra headroom if it would handle traffic or large loads any more efficiently.

5

General Discussion / First time OPNsense user. Need help deciding on hardware configuration.

« on: July 01, 2024, 09:44:57 pm »

Hi all. So I've been slowly gathering things to build my new OPNsense router to replace my TPlink Archer C5400x that tends to drop speed. Im still learning as I go through things. Im planning on using the TPlink router as a dedicated Access Point still. I currently have an HP Prodesk 600 G5 with an i5-9500, a intel 550x-T2 Nic, and an intel I350-T4 Nic. I also have Gigabit internet speed. My question is regarding pros and cons of how I set things up. My 3 options are...

1) using the I350-T4, 1st port = modem in, 2nd port = dedicated for switch box between 2-3 PC's and a home server, 3rd port = TPlink Access Point (not sure if the Ethernet ports are still functional in Access point mode).

2) using the I550-T2, 1st port = modem in, 2nd port = ethernet switch box, and then the Access point connected to the Switch box.

3) Using the Motherboard NIC for ethernet in, I550-t2 1st port = switch box, 2nd port = Access point. (it is my understanding this would not be the preferred setup due to instability in the motherboard NIC)

Could someone help me to understand better the pros and cons of these setups and which would be the recommended way and why?