I currently run pfSense on a SuperMicro microATX board with intel i3-6100, 16GB ECC RAM, and a quad Intel 1GB NIC in a small Fractal Design Core 1100 mini tower case.
It is rock solid and zero complaints other than the space it takes up. Given the plethora of mini PCs out there that could easily do the job, I feel like I'd like to downsize it and clean up my main networking space some.
The problem is the "plethora of mini PCs" bit. How in the world do I pick "just one?" Protectli, Beelink, Topton, CWWK...and all the models under each...
Narrowing things down some:
Any advice is appreciated!
Thanks!
Matt
It is rock solid and zero complaints other than the space it takes up. Given the plethora of mini PCs out there that could easily do the job, I feel like I'd like to downsize it and clean up my main networking space some.
The problem is the "plethora of mini PCs" bit. How in the world do I pick "just one?" Protectli, Beelink, Topton, CWWK...and all the models under each...
Narrowing things down some:
- My preference is to order from Amazon versus AliExpress
- Quad Intel NIC, 2.5Gb - I assume the later i226 is best?
- Processor - Not sure. I've seen lots of numbers thrown around for this - N100, N200, N305... ??? Is higher always better?
- Fine with barebones if that's a better avenue than what comes in preconfigured systems.
Any advice is appreciated!
Thanks!
Matt