Cheap OPNSense build 2.5G network

[Pietro395]

I would like to experiment with a build of OPNSense that can handle my 2.5 Gbps LAN and my 2500/1000Mbps WAN.

Do you have any hardware to suggest for a Proxmox build and virtualized OPNsense that can handle that traffic and maybe be able to experiment with IDS/IPS?

I had been considering a mini pc with Intel N100/N305 like this one:

https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005007278560105.html

Or add to a Fujitsu Futro S920 a dual 2.5gpbs NIC but in this case I think I could never use IDS/IPS while maintaining good performance.

Does anyone have any advice?

 

[bugacha]

Great choice!

 

[Pietro395]

Bump?

 

[kapone]

I’m running opnsense on a $60 motherboard/CPU/RAM combo. It handles my 2.5G symmetric WAN and 10g LAN just fine.

I don’t use IDS/IPS, but it could easily handle it, if need be (3.5ghz 4C/8T cpu).

 

[Mithril]

I’m running opnsense on a $60 motherboard/CPU/RAM combo. It handles my 2.5G symmetric WAN and 10g LAN just fine.

I don’t use IDS/IPS, but it could easily handle it, if need be (3.5ghz 4C/8T cpu).

Actual hardware combo would be great to share, and if you have it ballpark idle watts

 

[kapone]

Actual hardware combo would be great to share, and if you have it ballpark idle watts

Nothing special. Old 1155 motherboard (an Inventec that I got on eBay, but thats irrelevant. Any will work)/e3-1270v2/8g ram.

idle is under 20w.

 

[Pietro395]

Does anyone have a tiny PC to recommend with the ability to install a PCI card that is inexpensive and has a CPU that is not too old?

for now I have a build with futro s920 but looking for something more powerful

 

[kapone]

Does anyone have a tiny PC to recommend with the ability to install a PCI card that is inexpensive and has a CPU that is not too old?

for now I have a build with futro s920 but looking for something more powerful

You want an honest answer?

I don't understand this fascination with "tiny" or a CPU that's "not too old". (and lest we forget, the title of your thread says "cheap"). I recently bought this on fleabay for a backup file server...



I mean...an entire motherboard (with 4 slots), a 3.5GHz 4C8T CPU and 16GB of ECC DDR3 1600....all for $25. Shipped. Even factoring in some sort of chassis and a PSU, this is less than the cost of dinner.

Edit: Oh, and a heatsink too!

And it idles around 20w.

Yes, I could look for "newer" CPUs/motherboards etc, but the additional cost will have a long...very long...payoff.