DIY router
DIY router
I'm running an old Atom N270 with an i980 mainboard as a router, a PCI 32-bit GE card for a network interface, and an onboard GB NIC for a 2GB LAN using DDR2 RAM. A 4-CPU card is connected via SATA. This setup has worked well for over three years without issues. The only downtime was when updating the OS firmware. It also includes a DHCP server and an IP firewall.
It's important to weigh power usage against your specific needs. A standard 802.11ac router uses about 10 watts, which is quite efficient. If you're running an older PC, you could easily boost its power draw tenfold. Even small NUC devices still use more than a modest amount. Taking this into account, when comparing to the upfront cost of a low-power x86 solution like a NUC, do you truly require it for your application or are you just focusing on convenience?
I began my pfSense adventure using an older Atom-based CPU and just 1GB of memory. As I progressed, I realized I needed more RAM, so I upgraded to 2GB. This is the setup I’m currently running now that I have a stable job. https://wordpress.com/post/happylittlefo...s.com/1361
I wouldn't attempt to merge a NAS and router into one machine. Opt for an affordable, straightforward solution and let it focus solely on pfSense. Build a dedicated freenas setup. Both pfSense and freenas are easy to start with yet powerful enough to expand your knowledge over time if you're willing to invest the time.