Hi KH folks!

[G+_John Mink]

Katherine Taylor Worth I'm kinda ashamed I never asked earlier, but did you ever try using a network switch?  Or is there a reason (eg: complicated network) you need the router itself to hit a gigabit?

 

Regardless, it's good to hear the comparison of the two systems.

 

Oh, and you're buying the system? Why not build your own "desktop"/"router"?  :p

[G+_Katherine Taylor Worth]

hi John Mink , I needed a router because we are connecting multiple computers to our ISP, who only gives us one IP. (no shame in the question, given early or late :) ).

 

I bought a system because I had these needs, mainly fanless and for a tight space, and I don't have a lot of experience building my own systems. So, that was the newbie factor in play. Oh, and time. I wanted something before the end of the year! :)

 

But, after going through the process, I would say that if I were to do it again, and I may later on, I would build something capable of running pfsense. I think Mark Ebbinghoff probably has a point about the Intel nic cards, because as I said, on a regular workstation, pfsense was able to hit Gig speeds.

 

As for why I wanted the router to hit a gigabit, it's because I am fortunate to live in one of the few places in this country, i.e. Chattanooga, where one can get Gigabit ethernet from an ISP inexpensively. So, I would say that it was not a necessity, but it became a goal to figure out how to do it with open source software that gives you more control. (Enterprise gear was too expensive for this project. )

As I discovered, it was not such an easy proposition.

 

It's also made me rather suspicious of routers that claim gig speeds. Maybe they can do it, and maybe they cannot. I learned that I actually have to see them in action to know.

 

Everyone has been so helpful and helped me think about the problem in different ways. Thank you, thank you, thank you. John Mink 610bob Mark Ebbinghoff Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ  I have learned a ton. So while it was initially frustrating, I'm so glad I kept at it because of the learning (and getting to interact more with folk on this group who are way more knowledgeable than me has been wonderful! :)))  ).

[G+_John Mink]

Katherine Taylor Worth ooohhh, gigabit internet...that's awesome :)

 

 

I look forward to having that 'problem' myself!