Protectli V6630 - good fpr virtualiation of OPNSense and file media servers?

[Yodaminium]

Hi Everyone,

Long time lurker/first time poster.

I was wondering if any of the experts here have any opinion's, good or bad, on the Protectli V6630

Protectli Vault Pro VP6630 - 6 Port Intel® i3 - Protectli CA Store

VP6630: 6-Port, 10G firewall micro appliance/mini PC, built to run open-source software. Includes US-based support & 30-day money back guarantee.

ca.protectli.com

Eventually, I'd like to run some type of hypervisor, not sure which one yet.
For now it is a very over-powered-for-what-I-need OPNSense device
Eventually, I'd like to have virtualization for FW/Media/File servers and possible a security camera console with approx. 10 camera's attached)
I can upgrade the RAM to 64GB and I can put TON's of storage space if necessary
(up to a 4TB NvME and I believe a 4 or a 8 TB SSD)
I also have 2x netgear switches
I still need to purchase a switch with at least 1x 10Gbps capable ports
(preferably with a mix of 10Gbps multi ports 1/2.5/5/10Gbps )

In the short term, maybe within the next 6 months, I'd like to upgrade the whole house to 2.5Gbps
Long term up, maybe 3-5 years-upgrade to 10Gbps

I got the i3-12thGen
32GB DDR5-4800
1TB NvME
10Gbps SFP+ transceiver (currently connected at 1Gbps wan)
---the above SFP will be replaced with a 1/2.5/5/10Gbps SFP

 

[jerrythea]

I have been running this exact configuration:

Proxmox VE 8 with OPNSense virtualized.

I pass through both SFP+ ports and get the full 9.7 GbE bandwidth expected (via iperf3).

Only issue I had was that my multi-gig connection into the house, via Fiber, uses a very old Cat5e cable that was not installed correctly for the 50m run.

It has metal staples holding it on the wall and beams, and this must cause some interference.

My workaround was to use a very specific SPF+ transceiver.

I plug the ethernet from the fiber (the one with metal staples) into the SFP+ transceiver, and a DAC from the SFP+ transceiver to the Protectli.

I tried 5 brands of SFP+ inline transceivers, and 3 brands of SFP+ transceiver boxes before I got one to work:

• Binardat 10G Fiber Media Coverter, 2 Port 10 Gigabit Ethernet Switch, 1 x 10G RJ45 Port, 1 x 10G SFP Port, Mini Metal Case Fanless, Unmanaged Plug and Play

 

[jerrythea]

Here the specific of my order, with the dated invoice.

I first ran OPNSense bare metal, and then virtualized.

Identical performance, and the ability to clone the OPN VM and manage it more easily with PVE.

Keeping PVE up to date is a bit of a dance, since I need the OPN VM for internet access.

But it is worth it.

I am using one of the 2.5 GbE ports for LTE backup, and another for out-of-band access to PVE.

I also use the RS232 com port for even better bare metal access to the Vault.

1. Monday 10th of February 2025
   VP6630 – 6 Port Intel® i3 (VP6630) x 1 shipped via UPS on February 10, 2025