Netgear CM1100 3.1 compatibility details
Netgear CM1100 3.1 compatibility details
PFsense operates on standard PC components. It runs on a free BSD platform. It’s quite sophisticated, which is why many opt for it. The main appeal comes from the fact that x86 processors offer more power than the ARM chips found in most home routers. Regarding the required hardware for a gigabit connection, you’d likely need advice from someone more knowledgeable. I haven’t really explored this topic since I’m not willing to pay Xfinity’s $129 for Gigabit when I anticipate needing another $50 for unlimited data. It doesn’t seem worthwhile in my view.
I think an 802.11AX router is more likely to handle NAT well since both WiFi and NAT rely on the CPU for traffic management. If the CPU struggles with Gigabit NAT, it probably won’t switch between WiFi and Gigabit networks smoothly either. Of course, there’s still the risk that running both processes together might overwhelm the CPU.
You might be able to set up a PFesne box and obtain an AP for a lower cost than an AX router, provided you already have some PC parts. You’d just need to purchase a few additional components.
It's accurate that I abandoned consumer routers long ago. Switching out the WiFi AP offers a double advantage: you avoid reconfiguring your network, and over-specifying the router can prevent future replacements. It does come with a learning curve since pfSense doesn’t offer the same hands-on guidance as typical consumer devices. However, with dual-WAN and extensive IP blocklists, I now rely heavily on it.