PfSense is a versatile home router offering advanced networking features.
PfSense is a versatile home router offering advanced networking features.
I've been considering setting up a small PFSense router at home. I came across this mini PC and wondered if it would work well.
It only features one LAN port with a Realtek chip, which usually lags behind Intel in performance and causes more CPU strain. Keep in mind the chances of WiFi failing are high, as expected with pfSense/FreeBSD setups. The system notes that Intel "should" function, but I've personally had issues with my AC cards. For better results, consider a model built for routers or servers, like the link provided.
Additionally, you don’t have to rely on Wi-Fi; I prefer linking a whole-home BT network directly.
Very wise, I've kept WiFi its own thing for years now as it means you aren't tied to the location of the router and can more easily upgrade without messing up the whole network in the process. Well this is confusing, the specifications say: Although I see now I was looking at the wrong photo ( I was mistaking the serial port as being the ethernet port), it does show 2x Gigabit ethernet ports so that must be a mistake in the specifications. So yeah I'd expect it would work fine, I've just totally convinced myself that I can "feel" the difference in latency loading web pages using Intel NICs in the router (in real-world terms its about .2ms difference as I recall).
You won't notice the change unless you compare it closely. It may seem strange since ping changes only slightly—around 0.2ms—but I personally felt a difference in how quickly pages loaded after switching from Realtek to Intel. Ultimately, pfSense handles most tasks through software, so lower CPU usage means faster performance. Netgate staff also confirmed this: Realtek should work, but it’s not the best choice for high-end routers if you want to avoid future issues, especially with faster internet speeds.
I would consider it a problem as well. As I mentioned before, I don’t perceive or “feel” any change. If you experienced something different... well, I won’t try to figure out the reason. I can only share what I personally went through, and that doesn’t align with yours.
As long as it functions, I’d rather invest a bit more in a device built for running a router OS with Intel NICs, which lowers the risk of compatibility issues later. If it were a server, the gap would be much larger—typically around 100Mbit difference in peak speeds based on my experience.