pfSense combines router, stateful firewall and VPN capabilities in one device.
pfSense combines router, stateful firewall and VPN capabilities in one device.
The router consumes minimal power yet requires high responsiveness, so a 4-core CPU is recommended (2 cores may suffice, but CPU queue time can slightly increase latency). Clock speed isn't critical—any 4-core processor works. 4 GB of RAM should suffice unless you plan to use additional plug-ins; check their documentation for extra needs. You won't need a 10-gig Ethernet card, as the router interacts only with internet traffic and doesn't require such a connection.
Explore the r/Pfsense community and see how people secure VPNs using i3/5 processors with better clock speeds. Claiming uniqueness is a stretch. The essential specs for base speeds aren't as crucial as you think. What you're emphasizing might be outdated in recent years.
That's really helpful information! For me, using OpenVPN would let me reach home resources or get past country restrictions while traveling. I usually visit Asia a few times a year and might stay there next year—having the device at my mom’s place would be handy if needed. I only checked Netgate’s suggestions based on OpenVPN speed, but I’ve found it slows down significantly even with fiber nearby.
Are you aware of your download rate? With a VPN, your performance tends to reverse. When sending data to your home network, you're relying on your connection's download speed. When receiving files from your home, you're utilizing your upload capability. If you're browsing the web, both functions operate simultaneously and upload speed often limits overall performance.
Do you want the VPN to operate on your regular Wi-Fi or router, or through the PFSSL device located behind it?
OpenVPN is connected to your Wi-Fi network via your router. The setup is configured so PFSense is positioned between the router and the Wi-Fi access point. No PFSense device is installed yet.
I'm checking how your 9600k build performed. You were planning a VPN server, using it as a client for local LAN devices and IPS via Suratica. Are you satisfied with the setup? Did you reach the expected speeds? How much CPU activity did it show during testing?