PF Sense Router... The reason or timing depends on your needs and setup.
PF Sense Router... The reason or timing depends on your needs and setup.
I found several router builds running PFSense on powerful machines on YouTube. My curiosity arose about why someone would go through all that effort. When exactly is it necessary? It’s impressive, but in reality... when would you actually need something like this? I didn’t locate any practical examples online, suggesting it’s more of an internal focus rather than something widely shared.
You addressed your own query effectively! pfSense, OPNsense, and Sophos XG offer superior firewall capabilities compared to standard modem/router packages. Many appreciate the detailed customization options. Running virtualization on a hypervisor allows you to combine additional tools (such as PiHole) onto a single device.
Selecting a full PC as the foundation for a PFSense router is just one way to reach a more advanced setup—offering greater capabilities and typically better reliability compared to standard ISP or retail devices. It’s important to remember that using an older PC (often with extra Ethernet ports via PCIe cards) also means you’ll need a dedicated wireless access point and sometimes a separate Ethernet switch. Many users begin this approach because they wish to segment their home network into distinct VLANs, for instance, isolating IoT devices that pose security risks to the rest of the network. Here are several strategies to achieve this objective:
- Construct a router using software like PFSense, OPNSense, OpenWRT, or Untangle.
- Use a PC built specifically for routing, such as Protectli or other models available on eBay or Aliexpress.
- Purchase a router from the developers of these platforms that already runs the desired OS, ensuring better support and financial backing for the creators.
- Flash OpenWRT or Tomato onto a compatible home router—this method is straightforward if you already own a well-supported model and want enhanced features and stability.
- Update stock firmware (e.g., Archer) to support larger DHCP ranges; changing it to OpenWRT can resolve such limitations without buying a new AP.
- Acquire an Ubiquiti EdgeRouter or Mikrotik RB-series device for more advanced router functionality, including L3/L4 packet handling and support for dynamic routing protocols like OSPF and BGP.
- Consider a Mikrotik hEX model (~$70 USD) for superior performance in power, size, and cost when it comes to being a basic router with stateful firewall capabilities.
These alternatives help you move beyond basic devices, offering flexibility, security, and control tailored to your specific needs.
A major factor involves routing policies and other sophisticated tools such as full-network VPNs, particularly with high-speed broadband. Consumer routers often rely on hardware NAT boosts to achieve Gigabit performance. When attempting policy routing, the built-in NAT is typically turned off, limiting support to lower speeds—often 200-300Mbit or less. Policy routing lets you assign different handling to specific ports or clients, including QoS settings that prioritize gaming or VoIP traffic. You can also route certain users through a VPN instead of requiring direct connections. For instance, some domains are routed via a US-based VPN to bypass regional restrictions, and this process works smoothly across the network without user intervention. I can easily toggle my gaming PC between 500Mbit 5G during downloads and revert to DSL for online play with just a few clicks. Ideally, I’d have automatic configuration to switch between 5G for download servers and DSL for other tasks. Currently, I haven’t explored setting this up yet. I also use pfBlockerNG to block malicious IP addresses used in scams and exploits, as well as region-blocking protections on my server to prevent spam from hackers trying to crack SSH passwords or discover web server vulnerabilities. Additionally, a permanent VPN connection to my VPS lets me manage its web interface securely without exposing it publicly, reducing potential entry points for attackers.
Yeah, no reason to replace a normal router until you find something you want/need to do that it isn’t capable of.