Hardware alternative to PfSense software Firewall/Router [closed]
I have been using PFSense on a PC for about 4 years now for my home network, and it works perfect. I love all of its features and I really cannot complain.
Recently though I have been getting tired of maintaining the PC that it runs on, having to reinstall it every time a major part goes wrong such as motherboard or hard drive etc..
I'd like to know if any of you here can recommend a reasonably priced router box that could replace my PFSense running on this PC.
Here are the features that I currently use in PFSense that I would also like to use in the replacement:
- Traffic Shaping based on protocols and ports
- Port Forwarding
- Firewall rules
- DNS server (Preferably standalone, but forwarding is fine too)
- DHCP server
- Traffic monitoring
- OpenVPN or IPSec VPN server
If you're comfortable and satisfied with PFSense, why not just invest in some newer, more reliable hardware for it? Something small based around a mini-itx or micro-atx board, maybe. Get one of those CF cards that plugs into the IDE port, RAM and a case, and you're golden as long as the board has 2 network ports. Low power and should be pretty reliable if you get quality components.
There's also the boards from Soekris that i've heard people putting monowall on, but i have no personal experience with them.
For a Cisco hardware, you could go with the ASA 5505, which runs about $350 without a support contract. It should do everything on your list, except the DNS.
Check out ALIX hardware, only draws 3 watts, generates very little heat, has no moving parts (to fail and make noise), and you can just restore your existing pfSense configuration right onto it.
several options here: http://www.netgate.com/index.php?cPath=60_85