Set up wireless AP using Virtual PFSense on a mobile device.
Set up wireless AP using Virtual PFSense on a mobile device.
Searching for a more affordable router option from your ISP. Can I use my motherboards with built-in wireless as an access point using PFsense on a virtual machine? My motherboard model is the ASRock X370 Taichi. You've also noticed PFsense wireless can be slow, but it seems to have improved. My mom needs fast streaming on her Roku in HD to avoid buffering. If I set up the access point directly on the motherboard, would that make a wireless NIC more appealing? Thanks!
For a PFsense router, avoid using it in a virtual machine. A VM failure or host OS issue can cut off your entire network. Install it directly on the hardware. Or check your ISP's site for compatible modems/routers. You might purchase one upfront and skip ongoing rental costs.
I avoid using Wi-Fi cards for accessing the network. A solid router such as a unified AP would work better. You still require a modem. What are your plans for your router? For typical tasks, a consumer router should suffice.
Hardware bridging could pose significant challenges when using PFSense, varying with your equipment and capabilities. It’s best to test it separately on a dedicated machine, while employing an AP for wireless connections. The AP recommendations from Electronics Wizardy are well-suited options.
Windows 7ge wouldn't a virtual machine on a Ryzen 7 with plenty of RAM be more reliable than a cheap router? @electronics wizardy I'm curious to dive deeper into networking but it's not essential for me. I just need to play games, use a VPN, and get wireless internet in other rooms. Also, I've faced issues where the router keeps crashing, and its better quality than what I could afford to replace, so running it on my Ryzen might be more stable.
Those APs really catch my eye, I've never come across them before. Thanks for the tip!
Choose a consumer router for the best setup. You can purchase one instead of renting if preferred. A consumer model should still offer sufficient features or upgrade to something like an edge router. With VMs, the system may require updates and your network could go offline. And occasionally it just crashes—especially with desktop hardware running as a server.
It’s not entirely correct to claim otherwise; the opposite is more accurate. Prebuilt modems/routers are built to run continuously, equipped with the required hardware. Greater power doesn’t guarantee better stability. You’d be using an operating system meant for server environments optimized for constant operation, hosted in a virtual machine like Oracle VM VirtualBox—systems not built for 24/7 use on non-optimized hardware. This is essentially the cheapest and simplest choice. Verify your ISP’s compatibility list, select a model that matches your budget and needs, and source it from a distributor.
You can use Hyper-V to turn your WiFi card into an access point and feed it to pfSense as a regular network port. I've tried this a few times—let me know if you're interested. Speed depends on the adapter; USB ones aren't ideal, PCIe would work better.